A TRESPASS ON THE RAILWAY
(Composed prior to 1971; from manuscript held by B. Burke)6 – 1 – 2 – 1
named “H.L.I.”
In days long gone
I saw you FLY!
Me white and tiny and you black and shiny.
Very nearly every night on the “Comet” express,
you’d bumble and rumble from the old London Road, OH
but never-ever-ever grumble at the weight of the load.
For weren’t you all shining, repainted no less,
in red-and-white lining and a big “L.M.S.”?
And the War it was over and the World it was new
and we both lived in clover - and Manchester, too!
Clang, clong! The signals are tumbling,
Clang, clong; a sound I knew well
Clang, clong! You Railway carillon
thank-you a million, you’re ringing MY bell!
“Watch out for the coppers – you’re only eleven
- Hop over the fence and climb up to the line …
Is God in his Heaven: Well I’m only eleven.
By the L.M.S. Railway I KNOW I’m in mine!
For here she comes gleaming and steaming and gleaming
And 6121, you’re the pride of 9A!
And here she comes swinging and singing and ringing
Fandango and clang o’er the junction – OLE!
Songs of my childhood! When I was young
many the Songs that Manchester sung;
And 6121, swinging along,
YOU were a Singer, YOU were a Song!
Tra lala la, lalala la la la la
Tra lala la, lalala la la la la.
- The train the refrain of the melody sweet.
Over the bridge at the end of the street
6121, old “H.L.I.” 6121 – Saw you go by!
6121, I saw you go. 6121, so long ago.
So long ago … So long ago …?
So – long – a – go …?
6 – 1 – 2 – 1
You were a Song.
Now you’ve been gone …
My God, THAT long …?!
Tra lala la, lalala la la la la.
[AUTHOR’S NOTE: Variations on “Oranges and Lemons”.
Strictly between you and me and my poetic conscience this piece is grossly
inaccurate. “6121” on the “Comet”? Who cared? Certainly not me!
Still … the 9.20 a.m. with 6221 …!!]
