Leicester Chronicler - Hometown Song

In 1913, on the eve of the First World War, an Inspector of Schools penned a patriotic war song for the children of Leicester to sing. It was later performed at the famous Leicester Pageant of June 1932 in the town's Abbey Park.

The lyric was written by F.Toone, and the music by G.R.Girling MA. The completed work was published by Ratnett & Co, publishers and printers based in Halford Street in Leicester.

"Guarded by the stream and wood,
Here, tradition says, she stood
When, Corde1ia's loving tear
Dewed the cheek of weary Lear.
Here the blue-stained Briton dwelt
While the Druid power was felt,
Here the Roman, Saxon, Dane
Wrought thro' the years of strife and pain

Thousands of people including many children from the city and county were involved in the 1932 Pageant, which covered the period AD50 to the opening of Abbey Park by the Prince of Wales in 1882. Alongside the Pageant performances were other events including a great exhibition of local industries and trades at the De Montfort Hall and the opening of the first section of Charles Street by the Lord Mayor of London.

Fifteen performances of the Pageant were given at Abbey Park. The Prince of Wales, the future Edward VIII, visited one of the dress rehearsals and pronounced it 'an extremely public-spirited thing to do'.

In medieval times a pageant called ' The Riding of the George' used to take place in the streets of Leicester, with a parade of effigies depicting St. George and the Dragon.