Chris always writes me a poem for Christmas; sometimes it’s romantic, sometimes topical, but always comical. This time the poem comes in the form of a song to be sung to the tune of “Flash, Bang Wallop”, which is exactly what Chris did when he brought in my Christmas morning cup of tea. I hasten to add that if you should happen to try singing it yourself you must do so with an East-End accent!

     “PEACE IN OUR TIME”

The Christmas Poem for Sally 2014 (To be sung with gusto to the tune of “Flash, Bang, Wallop”)

 With apologies to David Heneker, the composer of “Flash, Bang, Wallop” from the 1967 musical “Half A Sixpence”

 ’Ere we are in our night attire

We’re ready for a spot of sleep

We’ve settled down some time ago

and we’ve just started counting sheep

Since the sea wall broke and crumbled down

In the winter’s tempest keen

There’s always been a gang of engineers

To repair the unhappy scene

 Oh…… 

 Darn it!  crash bang wallop, what a racket!

what a racket, what a bloody noise!

there they were,  hammering all night

thump thump thump in a blaze of light

clap hands. On yer ears.

Try to block away that thrum

What a racket what a racket

Thrum tiddly um thrum thrum thrum thrum

Gotta save the poor old….eardrum!

 

The same thing happened long ago

When the sea wall was quite young

The mighty ocean broke right through

And the mortar was undone

But a team of trusty engineers

In the employ of Brunel

Rushed forward right into the fray

With a hue and cry from Hell

 

Oh…Darn it! ….(Chorus)

 

We’re wondering when the work will stop

And give us peace at night

We thought it was all over but

Were still in for a fright

the big boss of the engineers

assured us all was well

but then at two o’clock last night

we woke up with a yell

 

Oh…….Darn it! ….(Chorus)

 

But now at last it’s Christmas time

And the men have all gone home

No more the thump of the big machines

And the glare of the arc lights’ roam

We’re all looking forward to some sleep

And to relish all that peace

But come the fifth of January

Our reverie will cease…

 

With……

 

Darn it!….(Chorus)

 

Finish with..

 

Gotta save the poor old

Gotta save the poor old

Gotta save the poor old…….EAR DRUM!