The chalk downs stand as they have stood
unchanged for year on year on year
Where grass grows lush as any could
and lays an emerald veneer
Where you may wander where you would
no hedge or gate to interfere
'cept the occasional copse or wood
that punctuates this gree frontier
The sky is cerulean blue
The scanty clouds are whispy white
The sun shines with a brazen hue
and bathes the downs with heat and light
The air is noisily shot through
with buzzing from the bees in flight
and skylarks soar beyond our view
to play their flutes for our delight
High on these humpbacked hills of chalk
the aimless sheep may safely graze
No predators among them stalk
but still they lose the lambs they raise
For with the sheep the shepherds walk
and take their tithe on late spring days
when lambs go to the auction block
The freedom price that each flock plays