Rumours of War by Billy Bragg There were soldiers marching on the common today They were there again this evening They paced up and down like seabirds on the ground Before the stormclouds gathering I must buy whatever tinned food is left on the shelves They're testing the air raid sirens They've filled up the blood banks and emptied the beds At the hospital and the asylum. I saw a man build a shelter in his garden today As we stood there idly chatting, He said, "no, no, I don't think war will come," Yet still he carried on digging. Everything in my life that I love Could be swept away without warning Yet the birds still sing and the church bells ring And the sun came up this morning.