by Henry Lawson
There is a quiet gentleman a-motoring in France
(Oh, don't you hear the honking of a British motor-car?)-
Like any quiet gentleman that you may meet by chance,
Who doesn't wear a uniform, and doesn't sport a star.
Another quiet gentleman is sitting by his side
(Oh, do you hear the "shuffling feet" tonight in Gay Paree?)-
The honking of their motor-car, when they go for a ride,
Is louder than the biggest gun that's made in Germany.
Another quiet gentleman, who's very like the first
(Oh, don't you hear the tinkle of the sleigh-bells on the snow?)
Is riding out in Russia now to watch the best and worst.
Oh, hear the bells of Petrograd a-ringing soft and low-
The Christmas bells of Petrograd, that hail the birth of Christ;
The sleigh-bells from the opera that hail the birth of Sin-
While eyes of men are dried in Hell and hearts of men are iced-
Are louder than the loudest blare that's blaring in Berlin.
Last updated January 14, 2019