Gary Miller Songs

A kind angel does her rounds
As the bombs fall all around
Never ceasing, never failing
Her young heart pounds
So very, very weary, constantly weary
Through eyes tired and bleary she smiles

She says, "God deems I will survive
I thank God that I'm alive
To comfort and to strive
Where but for the grace of God go I"

She calms the sobbing ones
Who quake in terror of the bombs
Brightened by a good sing-song
They pray their nightmare won't last long
Just to know that she was there to keep them from despair
Their need lends courage to keep her going strong

She says, "I live from day to day
I see each bombing raid's display
As the ack-acks strafe and stray
And the casualty list rises every day"

Like the Lady of the Lamp, burning bright
This Rose of Heaven brings comfort, love and light
While underneath the lamplight no nightingale sings
In Berkeley Square the sirens sing

While a city burns to the ward she returns
And the wild-eyed stares of those who need her care
She will constantly be there
The Sister of Mercy heeds their prayers

Hardly time for a cup of tea
Oh for a nice cup of tea!
In the cover point she sleeps
In slumber dead and deep
In her uniform she lies for two hours at a time
And then it's time to rise and start again

Like the Lady of the Lamp, burning bright
This Rose of Heaven brings comfort, love and light
While underneath the lamplight no nightingale sings
In Berkeley Square the sirens sing

While a city burns to the ward she returns
And the wild-eyed stares of those who need her care
She will constantly be there
The Sister of Mercy heeds their prayers

A kind angel does her rounds
As the bombs fall all around
Never ceasing, never failing
Her young heart pounds
While a city burns

(Gary Miller)

© 2010 Whippet Records

Copyright Control MCPS/PRS

Commissioned for 'Reflections on War', a community arts project and exhibition at York Art Gallery for York Museums Trust.

Inspired by the War Diary of Miss Gwyneth Thomas S.R.N., R.F.N., S.C.M. (1908-2001) (“a simple, straightforward and immediate account of her experiences in London during the war years of 1939-45. During those years, she was first a ward sister at Highgate Hospital and then, later, an administrative sister at Lewisham Hospital”) and the writings of Susan Elizabeth Elliot (her niece).