The Hertfordshire Guards

     On the banks of The Beane
     George and I we go walking
     The crystal clear water
     It makes our hearts sing
     Where the swallows swoop low
     George runs to and fro
     Scaring pheasant and partridge away
     Kingfishers and otters at play

                       But it's a dream for the river is gone
                       From Old Hall to Cromer
                       We can't hear its song
                       And at Walkern the mill
                       It stands very still
                       As it grieves for the old River Beane.

      On the banks of The Beane George and I we go walking,
      Bright sun on the water,insects on the wing.
      As I cast my line out
      To a basking brown trout,
      A heron looks on in disdain,...
      As I hopefully cast out again.

                        But it's a dream for the river is gone
                        From Walkern to Aston we can't hear its song
                        And at White Hall we cry for they're pumping it dry
                        Yes, they're draining the old River Beane.

      On the banks of The Beane George and I we go walking
      Past broken old willows collapsed in despair
      No swallows swoop low
      As George runs to and fro
      No pheasant or partridge to scare
      For the wild life it just isn't there

                        But we still dream though the river is gone
                        From White Hall to Watton we can't hear its song
                        Then at Hertford we see where it joins with The Lee
                        All that's left of the old River Beane.

      And the best we can tell
      OFWAT say go to hell
      Because it's cheap you can weep for your dream
      Say farewell to the old River Beane