Better Times

A Memory of Wallsend.

Great Britain is in disarray,
I've never seen the likes.
Worse than when Thatcher telt us Geordies,
to get on wa bikes.
They closed the yards and factories,
we had them by the score,
These places now just memories,
of better times before.
Ten thousand men walked up Swan's bank,
with cloth caps and haversacks,
Now there's only cold winds blowing ,
down that old deserted path.
The sweet factory on Norham Road,
the laundry, Gordon Square.
The Co-op sat on Elton Street's,
no longer trading there.
Woolies,Vickers,Monitor,
have now all sadly bit the dust.
Those giant cranes that filled the skyline ,
have now all but turned to rust.
There's now no buzzer sounding,
twice a day as was the norm.
Four o clock it was at tea time.
seven thirty in the morn.
All you hear these days are sirens,
at all hours day and night.
Racing here and there and everywhere,
to some poor buggers plight .
The colliery at the Rising sun.
once the life blood of our town.
No longer exports by the ton,
that's long since been closed down.
Now I hate to sound all maudlin,
but I cannot see an end.
To this increasing downward spiral ,
that so drives me around the bend.
So thank you Margaret,very much,
mission now accomplished hinny.
I'll take this chance to say goodbye,
and sign it moaning Minny.
3-11-11

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