Flowers Of The Town (The Unthanks)

I've heard them lilting at loom and at belting Lasses lilting before dawn of day But now they are silent not gamesome nor gallant The flowers of the town they are all turned away There was laughter and loving in the lanes of an evening Handsome were the boys and the girls they were gay But lost in Flanders by medalled commanders The flowers of the town they are all turned away Cursed be the promise that took our men from us All will be champion if you choose to obey They fought against hunger, now no longer The pride of the man lies as cold as the clay All the women are weary, they've lilted so merry Waiting to marry for a year and a day From owning and earning, from wooing and winning The flowers of the town they are all turned away All turned away