THE Queen's Golden Jubilee has prompted memories of a truly patriotic song, sung on Empire Day in 1917.
Kathleen James, nee Doidge, aged 91, remembered singing the song when she was a seven-year-old pupil at St Rumon's School in Tavistock, which was then known as Dolvin Road School.
The children sang the song as they marched to class from the playground, accompanied by their teacher Miss Bates on the piano.
At the end of the day, Mrs James said the headmaster and the vicar stood at the school exits, handing every child a bun and an orange.
The song went like this:
We are the children of the Empire,
The greatest nation on the earth,
Loyal children we, happy gay and free,
Claiming Britain for our birth.
All round the world the 'Jack' will fly
And voices loudly sing
With one united heartfelt voice:
'God Bless our Empire King!'
Then Hip! Hip! Hip! Hurrah for the King!
Three cheers for our Empire too,
And three cheers for the lands across the sea
Unto the British Flag hold true.
May Wisdom, Truth and Peace prevail
And all nations loudly sing
With one united heartfelt voice:
'God Bless our Empire King!'
Empire day is now celebrated as Commonwealth Day, on the second Monday in March each year.