Outside, night sheds her dark mantle over the school,
The rain makes glimmering pools on the road,
The boys are hurrying to and fro,
Outside the walls of College Chapel.
I enter the huge double doors into the Chapel,
Silence, silence stealing my breath,
You must whisper, not dare to speak,
At night in College Chapel.
The organ is silent above me,
The coloured windows black,
Candles, shining like beacons against the dark,
In the silent College Chapel.
Shh! The service now begins,
The choir enter in their red cassocks,
Their steps slow, guided,
To the altar of College Chapel.
An unearthly hush in the building,
In the street outside the boys are playing,
But no sound there can spoil the quiet,
Inside the walls of College Chapel.
There are but few of us here,
In School Dress as we must,
Be dressed for this service,
In the quiet of College Chapel.
The choir sing the final responses,
The service is almost over,
Yet that feeling of peace remains,
Over Eton College Chapel.
I step outside into the dark,
The streets now are quiet,
The gentle mood remains,
When I leave the College Chapel.
Back to my house,
Where the others are abed,
I will always remember,
That service in College Chapel.
