Day by day we're winnowing away
at the kind of world
the heathens had their eyes on
Step by step the sun is gonna set
on the waves that sully the horizon
So close your eyes
and think of England
That boat afloat on the ocean
sets my spine a-tingling
So let the boys brigade be singing
Close your eyes
Blow by blow, there's gonna be a show
We're gonna teach the (g)oons
the who is who of history
Deal by deal we'll crush them on a wheel
Of progress and manifest destiny
So close your eyes
and think of England
That boat afloat on the ocean
with the chains of state a-jingling
And at the sight of intermingling
Close your eyes
Close the door behind you
I feel kinda blue
I guess I miss the time
the scapegoat was always someone new
So step up to the camera, you
And close your eyes
and think of England
That boat afloat all alone
on the ocean is sinking
And a telephone is ringing
The coastguard have been drinking
Nobody had an inkling
Cos they closed their eyes
Close your eyes.