Shine, shine, the light of good works shine The watch before the city gates depicted in their prime The golden light all grimy now 300 years have passed The worthy captain and his squad of troopers standing fast ♪ The artist knew their faces well Husbands of his lady friends His creditors and councillors In armour bright, the merchant men Official moments of the guild In poses keen from bygone days City fathers frozen there Upon the canvas dark with age ♪ The smell of paint, a flask of wine Turn those faces all to me Blunderbuss and halberd-shaft And Dutch respectability They make their entrance, one by one Defenders of that way of life Redbrick home, the bourgeoisie Guitar lessons for the wife ♪ So many years we suffered here Our country racked with Spanish wars Now comes a chance to find ourselves Quiet reigns behind our doors Think about posterity again ♪ So the pride of little men The burghers good and true Still living through the painter's hands Request you all to understand