We stood upon the heath, the astronomer and I, Counting parasols, watching couples cycle by, Suburban streets were still when someone cried aloud, And at that moment I looked up the war machines broke cloud.
Airships filled the skies above our heads, The sky was dark and fires blushed it red.
A low hum filled the air as they turned towards the town, Their bombs destroyed the bandstand and sent statues to the ground.
Craters marked the common, rubble, smoke and flame, Someone fired a pistol in anger and in vain. Stunned he walked to Maida Vale and on reaching my front door, The astronomer said without a qualm "You know this must mean war".
Airships filled the skies above our heads, the sky was dark and fires blushed it red, Airships filled the sky, blacked out the sun, The old world died, a new age had begun.