Night Watch

Since the year fourteen five, In a little Swiss town,* There’s a job that will earn All who do it renown. From the top of the church (A cathedral, no less) Someone calls out the time In a formal address. Once an hour, this guard, Called a “night watch” will yell Just as soon as the sound Fades away from the bell. With a lantern held high He will scour the land Making sure that no fire Or crime is at hand. This employment has been, Since the year it began, Meant for all who applied, Meaning any loud man. But a change has occurred And, ignoring the past, Now a woman’s been named As the “night watch” at last. Up the one hundred fifty-three Steps she will climb Where she’ll do what she can To make up for lost time. *Lausanne