The Night Watch

Shine, shine, the light of good works shine The watch before the city gates, depicted in their prime The golden light all grimy now 300 years have passed The worthy Captain and his squad of troopers standing fast The artist knew their faces well The husbands of his lady friends His creditors and councillors In armour bright, the merchant men Official moments of the guild In poses keen from bygone days City fathers frozen there Upon the canvas dark with age The smell of paint, a flask of wine And turn those faces all to me The blunderbuss and halberd-shaft The Dutch respectability They make their entrance one by one Defenders of that way of life The redbrick home, the bourgeoisie Guitar lessons for the wife So many years we suffered here Our country racked with Spanish wars Now comes a chance to find ourselves Quiet reigns behind our doors Think about posterity again So the pride of little men The burghers good and true Still living through the painter's hand Request you all to understand