Of course they varied in merit, but in some,
such as "Raleigh," and "Five Hundred Faces," he managed to touch
some subtle chord of sympathy that makes them very dear to those
who heard them in their youth. After Farmer left Harrow for
Oxford, his successor, Eaton Faning, worthily continued the
traditions. All Eaton Failing's songs are melodious, but in two of
them, "Here, sir!" and "Pray, charge your glasses, gentlemen," he
reaches far higher levels.
The late E.W. Howson's words to "Here, sir!" seem to strike
exactly the right note for boys. They are fine and virile, with
underlying sentiment, yet free from the faintest suspicion of
mawkish sentimentality. Two of the verses are worth quoting:
"Is it nought--our long procession,
Father, brother, friend, and son,
As we step in quick succession,
Cap and pass and hurry on?
One and all,
At the call,
Cap and pass and hurry on?
Here, sir! Here, sir!" etc.
"So to-day--and oh! if ever
Duty's voice is ringing clear,
Bidding men to brave endeavour,
Be our answer, 'We are here!'
Come what will,
Good or ill,
We will answer, 'We are here!'
Here, sir! Here, sir!" etc.
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