Oh My Darling Eglantyne

Eglantyne Jebb lyrics to celebrate the story of her life and achievements and her work in Cambridge and internationally have been composed by CBBC's Horrible Histories chief songwriter, Dave Cohen. Performed by Milton CofE Primary School Choir To the tune of 'Oh My Darling Clementine'

LYRICS Cambridge daughter, cleaned the water, Took disease from out the brine Helped the nation’s sanitation And her name was Eglantyne.

Eglantyne Jebb, Eglantyne Jebb Once she’d made the water fine, She created Save The Children, Oh my darling Eglantyne

Born around the reign of Queen Vic She grew up on an estate Not the normal kind, this one had, Butlers and an iron gate< /p>

Though she had a wealthy background Spent her life helping the poor Thought that furniture showed you’re greedy So she sat upon the floor.

Eglantyne Jebb Eglantyne Jebb Poverty was a disgrace Spent her life helping the needy Made the world a better place

Then she came to live in Cambridge With its students, quads and wealth What she found beyond the colleges Was a town in awful health

Poor were forced to fetch their water From the filthy River Cam She taught hygiene, how to keep clean All her own work, thank you ma’am

Eglantyne Jebb Eglantyne Jebb Pioneer and suffragette Did so much, we’ve still to mention Greatest Jebb achievement yet…

Just before the first world war she Went abroad and saw disease Back in England helped to raise funds For the children refugees.

After four years, war is over But the children suffer still No one cares or tries to help them Only Eglantyne Jebb will.

Eglantyne Jebb Eglantyne Jebb And her sister don’t despair So they start up ‘Save The Children’ Now the whole world is aware

Every church and every city Joins the cause to give kids hope Save The Children does exactly that And she gets to meet the Pope

Still there’s more she does ensure that Children get to have a say League of Nations declaration Still lives on to this day

Eglantyne Jebb Eglantyne Jebb We’re forever in her debt Helped the poor, a great reformer And a name we won’t forget

(ENDS)