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Welcome - Song
Good folk, forsake your houses,
And flock to Poplar Hall -
A joyous message rouses
The hearts of one and all.
O raindrops, cease your strumming!
O skies, be bright and gay -
The Cardinal is coming
To visit us to-day! (repeat)
The afternoon is over -
The time for toil is done.
From Inverness to Dover,
Good people, take your fun.
But we, still lighter-hearted,
Must gather round to-day -
The Cardinal has started -
Has started on his way! (repeat as always.)
Westminster lies behind him;
Trafalgar Square is passed:
Beyond the Bank you'll find him,
And Aldgate's here at last.
Commercial Road is cheering,
As loud as voices may -
The Cardinal is nearing,
And who would stop away?
Now round the corner swinging
Behold the motor-car -
Your voices skyward flinging
Salute him, Hip-Hurrah!
The motor-car is driving
With due discretion - SAY!
The Cardinal's arriving!
Salute him, Hip-Hurray!
Your Eminence, we've heard of
How much you've got to do.
We couldn't do a third of
The work they pile on you!
So all the more we thank you
For putting off your rest,
And bidding Poplar rank you
Not only friend but guest.
We know that you remember
Our life's not always gay:
From June to grim December
You think of us each day.
And that is why so loudly
Our welcome here we sing;
And humbly and yet proudly
Kneel down to kiss your Ring.
Well, now the song is finished;
And when we say Goodnight,
Affection undiminished
Shall speed you from our sight.
And, wide-awake or dreaming,
You'll find us loyal still;
Your scarlet mantle gleaming
Shall shield our thoughts from ill.
