Archangel Hill
Sussex Chronicles: A Poetic Ode to Rural Resilience
Lyrics
A county mazed by winding lanes
A county with intricate and confusing winding lanes.
Fields ever freshened by the rains
Fields that are consistently refreshed by rain.
And rivers serving her as veins
Rivers that serve as vital lifelines for the county.
Sussex
Reference to the location, Sussex.
Her rolling Downs by Beachy Head
The rolling hills near Beachy Head, a place associated with poets' frequent visits.
Where poets’ footsteps always tread
Where poets have walked and left their mark, influencing thoughts.
And writers’ thoughts are often led
Writers' contemplations often guided by the landscape.
Sussex
Reiteration of the reference to Sussex.
Her rivers, Arun, Rother, Ouse
Mentions three rivers, Arun, Rother, and Ouse, where fishing communities reflect and ponder.
Where fishing folk do sit and muse
Fishermen spending time in contemplation along these rivers.
Her autumn mists and morning dews
Highlights the atmospheric elements, autumn mists, and morning dews.
Sussex
Reiteration of the reference to Sussex.
Her ancient town of Hastings, Rye
Points out the historical towns of Hastings, Rye, and Winchelsea, expressing resilience against the passage of time.
And Winchelsea; though times may try
Despite challenges, these towns' names endure and resist fading away.
To oust their names - they’ll never die
Asserts the everlasting nature of these town names.
Sussex
Reiteration of the reference to Sussex.
Her farming men, so bronzed and lean
Describes the hardworking and weathered farming men of Sussex.
Work harder now, for times are lean
These men work even harder during difficult times.
They say ‘For England’ - but they mean
They proclaim dedication to England, but the underlying loyalty is to Sussex.
Sussex - our Sussex
Final reaffirmation of affection for Sussex.
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