Within Westminster Abbey, which stands on Thorney Isle Are burled many people of every age and style. There's Edward the Confessor, who founded this great church And Henry Third who sent his men to Italy to search For beautiful mosaics which brilliantly would shine All round about and high above the great Confessor's shrine. Here great Shaftesbury's buried, who worked to his life's end For poor down trodden children whose rights he did defend. Sir Isaac Newton, very wise, who thought he was a child Picking up the sea-shells beside life's ocean wild. And noble Sir James Outram known as a man most brave, Great Livingstone of world-wide fame who Africa explored And whose sad death in Afric wilds by all men was deplored; The blind postmaster Fawcett who tried so hard to mend All foolish laws of England and English rights defend. A monument we here may see to Sir John Franklin bold Who lost his life while he explored in far off Arctic cold. Within the poet's corner full many a grave is found, Behold good Geoffrey Chaucer as Father Poet crowned, And great and good Lord Tennyson whose "CROSSING OF THE BAR" It seems to me in Heaven above should win a shining star. Will Shagspur's monument is here, where he is called the chief Of all the greatest writers known, though I call him a thief Because I think he stole his rhymes from many learned men Great Handel the musician, born in a German town But who in merry England won all his great renown; The orator George Canning, a statesman good and great And with whose son, Earl Canning, he lies in regal state. Here's Gladstone, greatest statesman perhaps the world has known Who's buried in this abbey 'neath monumental stone. Great Wilberforce and two great Pitts who likewise won their fame Within this ancient abbey we see each brilliant name. And many kings both good and bad and with their royal wives Were brought to this old abbey when they had spent their lives. Strong Edward First, the warrior who brought the "Stone of Scone" And placed it in the abbey to crown the KINGS alone. Then Richard Second who is known as "The Westminster King" So called as in the abbey he did most everything; For he was crowned and married and also buried here— To "Madcap Harry," Henry Fifth, Westminster was his pride So he was buried 'neath its walls—though in far France he died. King Henry Seventh and his wife Elizabeth the kind, Close, side by side, their royal tombs we easily may find. Queen Mary called "The Bloody," with Bess "The Virgin Queen," Beside Queen Mary of the Scots, their tombs may now be seen. It was at Mary's funeral when she was lying dead That in the abbey Catholic mass for a last time was said. King Henry Fifth the murdered King and Edward Sixth the boy, Who while he lived no sorrow gave but brought to England joy, And many other kings and queens and men of wondrous fame |