Two babes were born one happy morn’,

They came with love divine:

And a mother smiled on the River Thames,

And a mother smiled on the Rhine.

.

These children grew so brave and true,

Each mother said, ‘how fine’,

And hearts were glad on the River Thames,

And hearts were glad on the Rhine.

.

But one sad day so people say,

Their rulers tried to shine:

And one lad heard the call on the Thames,

And the other the call on the Rhine.

.

These two brave sons they raised their guns,

As they marched in martial line:

And a mother sighed on the River Thames,

And a mother sighed on the Rhine.

.

On the battle plain where the bullets rain,

These lads formed into line;

And hearts were sad on the River Thames,

And hearts were sad on the Rhine.

.

They took their sight in the bitter fight,

Their aim was really fine;

And a mother prayed on the River Thames,

And a mother prayed on the Rhine.

.

Two noble sons fell by their guns,

Their names in glory shine:

And a mother weeps on the River Thames,

And a mother weeps on the Rhine.

.

So, the Thames so fine and the River Rhine,

Flow into the same great sea:

And they seem to say as they kiss the spray;

‘Oh, that men were as wise as we.’

.

Anonymous

‘The greatest threat to our world and its peace comes from those who want war, who prepare for it, and who, by holding out vague promises of future peace or by instilling fear of foreign aggression, try to make us accomplices to their plans.’ Hermann Hesse