Song with lyrics

Keep the Home Fires Burning

They were summoned from the hillside

They were called in from the glen,

And the country found them ready

At the stirring call for men.

Let no tears add to their hardships

As the soldiers pass along,

And although your heart is breaking

Make it sing this cheery song:

Keep the Home Fires Burning,

While your hearts are yearning,

Though your lads are far away

They dream of home.

There's a silver lining

Through the dark clouds shining,

Turn the dark cloud inside out

'Til the boys come home.

Overseas there came a pleading,

"Help a nation in distress."

And we gave our glorious laddies

Honour bade us do no less,

For no gallant son of freedom

To a tyrant's yoke should bend,

And a noble heart must answer

To the sacred call of "Friend."

Keep the Home Fires Burning,

While your hearts are yearning,

Though your lads are far away

They dream of home.

There's a silver lining

Through the dark clouds shining,

Turn the dark cloud inside out

'Til the boys come home.

This song is sung at the beginning of the play, during the opening factory scene. Lauren begins the song which we the rest of us join in with through the chorus. This gives the idea of the camaraderie shared between the women, who would've all been brought together by the war. The gentle song, gives the idea of the hope the women have for their men's return and contrasts nicely with the telegram Sophie receives. The two create a poignant moment, displaying the hardship which faced these women daily.

Through out the song we must each reflect on the words as our characters, seeing how they might mirror what has been happening in our lives. This could therefore be shown as faces of hope or sorrow, wanting their men to come home but also being worried for their safety.