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