Thank you for your enquiry. The song you remember was Issued under agreement by the Girl Guides Association in 1924
The words are by Margaret McDonald who was then Chief Commissioner of GGA. It is a grand melody. One of Martin's best I think.
Glad hearts adventuring,
The way is wide
Valour and faith shall shield the Pilgrim's side.
Constant and undismayed,
Your journey past, Across the Hills of Time
Home lies. at last.
Glad hearts adventuring,
The City of God dawns far
Brothers take to the trail again,
Sisters follow the star.
Honour and sleepless love
Where'er you roam,
Shall watch beside the camp
And guard the home.
Your comrades wind and sun;
Your book the world
Your lamp, the unaltered law;
Your flag unfurled.
Glad hearts etc.
The sword may fall to rust,
And kingdoms fail
Still stands your promise sire
Love shall prevail
When you are old and grey
When youth is gone
Still shall you sing to those
Who follow on.
Glad hearts etc.
I hope you enjoy singing this and reliving your old school days. Were you ever a Girl Guide I wonder? Martin Shaw wrote this and other pieces specially for the GGA. By a strange chance, I too have done the same, as I was the GGA music consultant for 6 years back in the 70s and then founded the National Scouts and Guides Symphony Orchestra, which still is running here in the UK. In 1989 I conducted them on the lawn of the white House in Washington.
Have you come across the first recording of Shaw's songs? I worked on the research for four years and the CD was released in February of this year. It is titled The Airmen: songs of Martin Shaw and is readily available on Amazon.
Best wishes
George Odam
Emeritus Professor
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