"Keep the Home-Fires Burning" (1914)
(Till the Boys Come Home)
Song.
Words by Lena Guilbert Ford, ca. 1866-1918
Music by Ivor Novello, 1893-1951 (pseud. for David Ivor Davies)
Composer of "Laddie in Khaki"

[Source: 096/206@Levy]

1.
They were summoned from the hillside,
They were called in from the glen,
And the Country found them ready
At the stirring call for men.
Let no tears add to their hardship,
As the Soldiers pass along
And although your heart is breaking,
Make it sing this cheery song.

REFRAIN repeat ad lib after, sung after each verse
Keep the Home-fires burning,
While your hearts are yearning,
Though your lads are far away
They dream of Home;
There's a silver lining
Through the dark cloud shining,
Turn the dark cloud inside out,
Till the boys come Home.

2.
Over seas there came a pleading,
"Help a Nation in distress!"
And we gave our glorious laddies,
Honor made us do no less.
For no gallant Son of Freedom
To a tyrant's yoke should bend,
And a noble heart must answer
To the sacred call of "Friend!"