THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS
H. W. Bryce
The last time I saw Paris, Paris was at peace,
People strolled the Champs-Élysées
And coffeed in cafes
Young people chatted animate
Young mothers strolled their babes in prams
People gathered everywhere
And the River Seine flowed free
The last time I saw Paris, the Eiffel Tower stood tall and proud
The young men soccered all the day
And the les filles they sang at work
Children spent the day at play
There where artists’ art could never tell a lie
Where the people nighted out, just to see a play
And the lights of Paris shone
Yes the last time I saw Paris, Paris was at peace
The sky was blue, Sacre-Coeur was white
And courage still was red
The last time I saw Paris, the flag flew there quite free
Oh the last time I saw Paris, they lived in liberty
They held equality and brotherhood
Closely to their hearts
They proudly sang La Marseillaise
Saluted their triumphal Arc
To protect their lands’ collective parts
And shared their gen’rous love
Yes the last time I saw Paris, Paris was at peace
The sky was blue, Sacre-Coeur was white
And courage still was red
The last time I saw Paris, the flag flew there quite free
