I said, Reverend Bailey, don't you think it's time
You were moving on down the line?
Take the midday train from the coming strife
Be reunited with Emma your good wife

He said, let me take you back in time
This land was settled in 1859
This little town we call Dundee
Has been around since 1883

You know I got a special call from heaven
That was back in 1897
To build St James for the Mighty Lord
To preach the gospel and spread the Word

In the town were the Dublin and Irish Fusiliers
Natal Police and the Natal Carbineers
The Lesters and the 18th Hussars
King's Royal Rifles well equipped to deal with wars

But from Talana Hill the Boers they fired their guns
General Pen Symon's men, they did not run
They took that hill though their General bled then died
His men stood fast, Boer victory denied

I said, Reverend Bailey, don't you think it's time
You were moving on down the line?
Take the midday train from the coming strife
Be reunited with Emma your good wife

He said, 200 wounded here they lie
They need God's Word, whether they live or die
This sinking ship I will not leave
God is my fortress, so do not grieve

Our men have left in the dead of night
For Ladysmith to carry on the fight
But the Boers, now they have returned
This town in plundered, destroyed and burned

But Reverend Bailey didn't think 'twas time
To be moving on down the line
Never took the train from the coming strife
For the townsfolk he risked his life

Other men and women of God were there
Like him, their faith overcame their fear
The Boers, they had their plundering spree
General Buller then came and freed Dundee

But Reverend Bailey did not succumb
Before his work was done
He lies at peace with other gallant names
In the churchyard of St James

But Reverend Bailey, he did his time
Now he's moved on down the line
To a place where there is no strife
Where there's everlasting life
Where there's everlasting life