I saw the spires of Oxford br As I was passing by, br The gray spires of Oxford br Against the pearl-gray sky. br My heart was with the Oxford men br Who went abroad to die. br br The years go fast in Oxford, br The golden years and gay, br The hoary Colleges look down br On careless boys at play. br But when the bugles sounded war br They put their games away. br br They left the peaceful river, br The cricket-field, the quad, br The shaven lawns of Oxford, br To seek a bloody sod- br They gave their merry youth away br For country and for God. br br God rest you, happy gentlemen, br Who laid your good lives down, br Who took the khaki and the gun br Instead of cap and gown. br God bring you to a fairer place br Than even Oxford town.