- published: 21 Jul 2012
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Trafalgar Square (/ˌtrəˈfælɡər/ trə-FAL-gər) is a public square in the City of Westminster, Central London, built around the area formerly known as Charing Cross. Its name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars with France and Spain that took place on 21 October 1805 off the coast of Cape Trafalgar, Spain.
The site of Trafalgar Square had been a significant landmark since the 13th century and originally contained the King's Mews. After George IV moved the mews to Buckingham Palace, the area was redeveloped by John Nash but progress was slow after his death and the square did not open until 1844. Nelson's Column at its centre is guarded by four lion statues. A number of commemorative statues and sculptures occupy the square but the Fourth Plinth, left empty since 1840, has been host to contemporary art since 1999.
The square has been used for community gatherings and political demonstrations including Bloody Sunday, the first Aldermaston March, anti-war protests and campaigns against climate change. A Christmas tree has been donated to the square by Norway since 1947 and is erected for twelve days before and after Christmas Day. The square is a centre of annual celebrations on New Year's Eve. It was well known for its feral pigeons until their removal in the early-21st century.
Time is racing right along
Like clouds that pass above
We never stop to touch the sky
Life can blow us like the wind
We’re smiling on a swing
Then crying on the ground below
Every time that we fight
I bite on my tongue
Every time that we scream and shout
I’m the clown who’s wrong
But when this is all over I’ll meet you in Trafalgar
Square
Love is something we expect
To live inside our heads
As well is in our tender hearts
Hope will never ever drift
We’ll learn to own the gift
With pictures of our children’s lives
Every time that you sleep
I’ll be by your side
Every time that we wave good bye
I’m the guy who’s gone from your life but not for long
Stop the world and lets get off lets try to understand
We have to live with ourselves
Every time that you cry
I’ll try to be there
Every time that we laugh out loud
I come round to our love once again
And when this is all over I’ll meet you in Trafalgar