R
Robert Harrison
Guest
Thank you Mister Anderson
Part Six..
Poland had already been invaded by the
German army and over the next months
Other countries in Europe fell to the
Might of Adolph Hitler’s war machine.
Adolph Hitler, golly there were a few
Songs made up about that little jumped up
Squirt, but they are not for publication.
From paper hanger, corporal in the army
To becoming a Dictator of the worst kind.
Being a nipper, I never really understood
What was going on. Even to hear that we were
At war did not really register until I saw for
Myself the devastation that took place every
Night in the city. We could hear the bombs
Exploding and saw the sky getting brighter
As air planes continued to rain down their
Bombs on poor old Birmingham. Beams
of searching light grew from the ground as
Each blade looked for an enemy plane.
Searching ever searching until one was trapped
In its white grasp. Another light swung across
The skies to further hold the captured plane.
The local Ack Ack batteries opened up on
The victim, and stars flashed around the
Invader. “Got the bugger” someone would
Shout not realizing that on crashing back onto
The city more lives would be lost, more building
Destroyed. Oh, how dear old Brumm bled.
Dad was too old to be called up and so he did
Voluntary duty with the L.D.V, the Local Defense
Volunteers. This was later called the A.R.P, the
Air Raid Precaution unit. The men put doors on the
Entrances of the entries to keep the cold winds at bay
During the winter months. Three men were on duty
All night long and it was not unusual to see smoke
Coming from under the door. Some men had managed
To get hold of braziers from the local council yard. These
A council worker used braziers at night, to keep himself
Warm when minding some council work that could be
Dangerous during the dark of night. It was jokingly said
That they were minding a hole in the road. If the worker
Was kindly soul he would share his fire with the occasional
Tramp or down and out. Even his Billy of tea was shared.
But they all had to be away before daylight in case the
Foreman caught him sharing council property. I am sure
That the old song “There’s another hole in the road. Well,
Well I’m blowed” was based upon these council workers.
We never had an entry, as we were the end house of a block
Of five houses. But Mister Holloway and the Bentley’s had
An entry to access their back gates. Tea would be brewed on
The small coke fire as was a fry pan full of bacon, eggs and
Sausage. This was during the very early days of the war, sooner
Than later, we would be severely rationed, and ration books and
Clothing coupons issued to every family. Every food item was
In short supply. Dad was lucky to get five Woodbine cigarettes
Every few days. Eventually the cigarette companies started
To make them from what grew in the fields. A cigarette made
From Coltsfoot was all that dad could manage until the local
Paper shop had a supply of Woodbine, Black Cat, or Player’s
Come in. He drew the line at used tealeaves. Later on when
I was about eleven my mates and I tried used tealeaves rolled
In a piece of newspaper. Every time we took a puff the lighted
End burst into flames. Our homemade cigarettes did not last long,
But they were cheap. Later, we took to following someone who
Had a cigarette stuck in his mouth, and ask “Save us yer dog end
Mate”. We were usually told to “Bugger off, I save em”. It was
The custom to save all dog ends until you had enough to roll
A full cigarette. We even tried to smoke old Benny Howe’s
Broken cane. Ecky thump, that nearly killed us, but we were
Game for anything in those days.
The trenches dug in our field became our “den’s”. We played
For hours after school and at week ends playing in the trenches.
We played at war games, some of us being the enemy while
The rest were “the good guy’s”. By the time the game was
Over everyone had been killed at least ten times. Just like
The Indians at the pictures, one minute they were shot dead,
The next moment the same Indians were on the warpath again.
Yer can’t keep a dead Indian down for long.
Sixpence a week I got as pocket money, a bit more if I ran
Errands for neighbors. A “aypenny” would go to a girl
For showing us her knickers, that was a aypenny each. She was
A very rich young lady, especially when she showed us more
For a penny. We were all sorry when she put the viewing up
To sixpence. I wonder what happened to her. Nice girl she was.
On Saturday’s we would all go the Tudor picture house, just
Up from “The Valley” pub, just up Haunch Lane and on your right.
You can read about that if you feel like it in my poem “A Time
For Remembering”. Tu’pence, that’s all it cost. Two films we got
For that, the serial and then a long film. The Tudor I believe has
Since been demolished. The valley pub burned down not many
Years ago, about nineteen ninety-eight. My wife and I looked at
Its ruins when we were in the old country of the same year. I tell
I have looked after a few bikes for the drinkers to earn my picture
Money. It was that girl that made some of us go out to work. Six
Looks for sixpence, that was before her price rise.
Thank you Mister Anderson
Part Six..
Poland had already been invaded by the
German army and over the next months
Other countries in Europe fell to the
Might of Adolph Hitler’s war machine.
Adolph Hitler, golly there were a few
Songs made up about that little jumped up
Squirt, but they are not for publication.
From paper hanger, corporal in the army
To becoming a Dictator of the worst kind.
Being a nipper, I never really understood
What was going on. Even to hear that we were
At war did not really register until I saw for
Myself the devastation that took place every
Night in the city. We could hear the bombs
Exploding and saw the sky getting brighter
As air planes continued to rain down their
Bombs on poor old Birmingham. Beams
of searching light grew from the ground as
Each blade looked for an enemy plane.
Searching ever searching until one was trapped
In its white grasp. Another light swung across
The skies to further hold the captured plane.
The local Ack Ack batteries opened up on
The victim, and stars flashed around the
Invader. “Got the bugger” someone would
Shout not realizing that on crashing back onto
The city more lives would be lost, more building
Destroyed. Oh, how dear old Brumm bled.
Dad was too old to be called up and so he did
Voluntary duty with the L.D.V, the Local Defense
Volunteers. This was later called the A.R.P, the
Air Raid Precaution unit. The men put doors on the
Entrances of the entries to keep the cold winds at bay
During the winter months. Three men were on duty
All night long and it was not unusual to see smoke
Coming from under the door. Some men had managed
To get hold of braziers from the local council yard. These
A council worker used braziers at night, to keep himself
Warm when minding some council work that could be
Dangerous during the dark of night. It was jokingly said
That they were minding a hole in the road. If the worker
Was kindly soul he would share his fire with the occasional
Tramp or down and out. Even his Billy of tea was shared.
But they all had to be away before daylight in case the
Foreman caught him sharing council property. I am sure
That the old song “There’s another hole in the road. Well,
Well I’m blowed” was based upon these council workers.
We never had an entry, as we were the end house of a block
Of five houses. But Mister Holloway and the Bentley’s had
An entry to access their back gates. Tea would be brewed on
The small coke fire as was a fry pan full of bacon, eggs and
Sausage. This was during the very early days of the war, sooner
Than later, we would be severely rationed, and ration books and
Clothing coupons issued to every family. Every food item was
In short supply. Dad was lucky to get five Woodbine cigarettes
Every few days. Eventually the cigarette companies started
To make them from what grew in the fields. A cigarette made
From Coltsfoot was all that dad could manage until the local
Paper shop had a supply of Woodbine, Black Cat, or Player’s
Come in. He drew the line at used tealeaves. Later on when
I was about eleven my mates and I tried used tealeaves rolled
In a piece of newspaper. Every time we took a puff the lighted
End burst into flames. Our homemade cigarettes did not last long,
But they were cheap. Later, we took to following someone who
Had a cigarette stuck in his mouth, and ask “Save us yer dog end
Mate”. We were usually told to “Bugger off, I save em”. It was
The custom to save all dog ends until you had enough to roll
A full cigarette. We even tried to smoke old Benny Howe’s
Broken cane. Ecky thump, that nearly killed us, but we were
Game for anything in those days.
The trenches dug in our field became our “den’s”. We played
For hours after school and at week ends playing in the trenches.
We played at war games, some of us being the enemy while
The rest were “the good guy’s”. By the time the game was
Over everyone had been killed at least ten times. Just like
The Indians at the pictures, one minute they were shot dead,
The next moment the same Indians were on the warpath again.
Yer can’t keep a dead Indian down for long.
Sixpence a week I got as pocket money, a bit more if I ran
Errands for neighbors. A “aypenny” would go to a girl
For showing us her knickers, that was a aypenny each. She was
A very rich young lady, especially when she showed us more
For a penny. We were all sorry when she put the viewing up
To sixpence. I wonder what happened to her. Nice girl she was.
On Saturday’s we would all go the Tudor picture house, just
Up from “The Valley” pub, just up Haunch Lane and on your right.
You can read about that if you feel like it in my poem “A Time
For Remembering”. Tu’pence, that’s all it cost. Two films we got
For that, the serial and then a long film. The Tudor I believe has
Since been demolished. The valley pub burned down not many
Years ago, about nineteen ninety-eight. My wife and I looked at
Its ruins when we were in the old country of the same year. I tell
I have looked after a few bikes for the drinkers to earn my picture
Money. It was that girl that made some of us go out to work. Six
Looks for sixpence, that was before her price rise.
Thank you Mister Anderson
Part Six..
Poland had already been invaded by the
German army and over the next months
Other countries in Europe fell to the
Might of Adolph Hitler’s war machine.
Adolph Hitler, golly there were a few
Songs made up about that little jumped up
Squirt, but they are not for publication.
From paper hanger, corporal in the army
To becoming a Dictator of the worst kind.
Being a nipper, I never really understood
What was going on. Even to hear that we were
At war did not really register until I saw for
Myself the devastation that took place every
Night in the city. We could hear the bombs
Exploding and saw the sky getting brighter
As air planes continued to rain down their
Bombs on poor old Birmingham. Beams
of searching light grew from the ground as
Each blade looked for an enemy plane.
Searching ever searching until one was trapped
In its white grasp. Another light swung across
The skies to further hold the captured plane.
The local Ack Ack batteries opened up on
The victim, and stars flashed around the
Invader. “Got the bugger” someone would
Shout not realizing that on crashing back onto
The city more lives would be lost, more building
Destroyed. Oh, how dear old Brumm bled.
Dad was too old to be called up and so he did
Voluntary duty with the L.D.V, the Local Defense
Volunteers. This was later called the A.R.P, the
Air Raid Precaution unit. The men put doors on the
Entrances of the entries to keep the cold winds at bay
During the winter months. Three men were on duty
All night long and it was not unusual to see smoke
Coming from under the door. Some men had managed
To get hold of braziers from the local council yard. These
A council worker used braziers at night, to keep himself
Warm when minding some council work that could be
Dangerous during the dark of night. It was jokingly said
That they were minding a hole in the road. If the worker
Was kindly soul he would share his fire with the occasional
Tramp or down and out. Even his Billy of tea was shared.
But they all had to be away before daylight in case the
Foreman caught him sharing council property. I am sure
That the old song “There’s another hole in the road. Well,
Well I’m blowed” was based upon these council workers.
We never had an entry, as we were the end house of a block
Of five houses. But Mister Holloway and the Bentley’s had
An entry to access their back gates. Tea would be brewed on
The small coke fire as was a fry pan full of bacon, eggs and
Sausage. This was during the very early days of the war, sooner
Than later, we would be severely rationed, and ration books and
Clothing coupons issued to every family. Every food item was
In short supply. Dad was lucky to get five Woodbine cigarettes
Every few days. Eventually the cigarette companies started
To make them from what grew in the fields. A cigarette made
From Coltsfoot was all that dad could manage until the local
Paper shop had a supply of Woodbine, Black Cat, or Player’s
Come in. He drew the line at used tealeaves. Later on when
I was about eleven my mates and I tried used tealeaves rolled
In a piece of newspaper. Every time we took a puff the lighted
End burst into flames. Our homemade cigarettes did not last long,
But they were cheap. Later, we took to following someone who
Had a cigarette stuck in his mouth, and ask “Save us yer dog end
Mate”. We were usually told to “Bugger off, I save em”. It was
The custom to save all dog ends until you had enough to roll
A full cigarette. We even tried to smoke old Benny Howe’s
Broken cane. Ecky thump, that nearly killed us, but we were
Game for anything in those days.
The trenches dug in our field became our “den’s”. We played
For hours after school and at week ends playing in the trenches.
We played at war games, some of us being the enemy while
The rest were “the good guy’s”. By the time the game was
Over everyone had been killed at least ten times. Just like
The Indians at the pictures, one minute they were shot dead,
The next moment the same Indians were on the warpath again.
Yer can’t keep a dead Indian down for long.
Sixpence a week I got as pocket money, a bit more if I ran
Errands for neighbors. A “aypenny” would go to a girl
For showing us her knickers, that was a aypenny each. She was
A very rich young lady, especially when she showed us more
For a penny. We were all sorry when she put the viewing up
To sixpence. I wonder what happened to her. Nice girl she was.
On Saturday’s we would all go the Tudor picture house, just
Up from “The Valley” pub, just up Haunch Lane and on your right.
You can read about that if you feel like it in my poem “A Time
For Remembering”. Tu’pence, that’s all it cost. Two films we got
For that, the serial and then a long film. The Tudor I believe has
Since been demolished. The valley pub burned down not many
Years ago, about nineteen ninety-eight. My wife and I looked at
Its ruins when we were in the old country of the same year. I tell
I have looked after a few bikes for the drinkers to earn my picture
Money. It was that girl that made some of us go out to work. Six
Looks for sixpence, that was before her price rise.
Part Six..
Poland had already been invaded by the
German army and over the next months
Other countries in Europe fell to the
Might of Adolph Hitler’s war machine.
Adolph Hitler, golly there were a few
Songs made up about that little jumped up
Squirt, but they are not for publication.
From paper hanger, corporal in the army
To becoming a Dictator of the worst kind.
Being a nipper, I never really understood
What was going on. Even to hear that we were
At war did not really register until I saw for
Myself the devastation that took place every
Night in the city. We could hear the bombs
Exploding and saw the sky getting brighter
As air planes continued to rain down their
Bombs on poor old Birmingham. Beams
of searching light grew from the ground as
Each blade looked for an enemy plane.
Searching ever searching until one was trapped
In its white grasp. Another light swung across
The skies to further hold the captured plane.
The local Ack Ack batteries opened up on
The victim, and stars flashed around the
Invader. “Got the bugger” someone would
Shout not realizing that on crashing back onto
The city more lives would be lost, more building
Destroyed. Oh, how dear old Brumm bled.
Dad was too old to be called up and so he did
Voluntary duty with the L.D.V, the Local Defense
Volunteers. This was later called the A.R.P, the
Air Raid Precaution unit. The men put doors on the
Entrances of the entries to keep the cold winds at bay
During the winter months. Three men were on duty
All night long and it was not unusual to see smoke
Coming from under the door. Some men had managed
To get hold of braziers from the local council yard. These
A council worker used braziers at night, to keep himself
Warm when minding some council work that could be
Dangerous during the dark of night. It was jokingly said
That they were minding a hole in the road. If the worker
Was kindly soul he would share his fire with the occasional
Tramp or down and out. Even his Billy of tea was shared.
But they all had to be away before daylight in case the
Foreman caught him sharing council property. I am sure
That the old song “There’s another hole in the road. Well,
Well I’m blowed” was based upon these council workers.
We never had an entry, as we were the end house of a block
Of five houses. But Mister Holloway and the Bentley’s had
An entry to access their back gates. Tea would be brewed on
The small coke fire as was a fry pan full of bacon, eggs and
Sausage. This was during the very early days of the war, sooner
Than later, we would be severely rationed, and ration books and
Clothing coupons issued to every family. Every food item was
In short supply. Dad was lucky to get five Woodbine cigarettes
Every few days. Eventually the cigarette companies started
To make them from what grew in the fields. A cigarette made
From Coltsfoot was all that dad could manage until the local
Paper shop had a supply of Woodbine, Black Cat, or Player’s
Come in. He drew the line at used tealeaves. Later on when
I was about eleven my mates and I tried used tealeaves rolled
In a piece of newspaper. Every time we took a puff the lighted
End burst into flames. Our homemade cigarettes did not last long,
But they were cheap. Later, we took to following someone who
Had a cigarette stuck in his mouth, and ask “Save us yer dog end
Mate”. We were usually told to “Bugger off, I save em”. It was
The custom to save all dog ends until you had enough to roll
A full cigarette. We even tried to smoke old Benny Howe’s
Broken cane. Ecky thump, that nearly killed us, but we were
Game for anything in those days.
The trenches dug in our field became our “den’s”. We played
For hours after school and at week ends playing in the trenches.
We played at war games, some of us being the enemy while
The rest were “the good guy’s”. By the time the game was
Over everyone had been killed at least ten times. Just like
The Indians at the pictures, one minute they were shot dead,
The next moment the same Indians were on the warpath again.
Yer can’t keep a dead Indian down for long.
Sixpence a week I got as pocket money, a bit more if I ran
Errands for neighbors. A “aypenny” would go to a girl
For showing us her knickers, that was a aypenny each. She was
A very rich young lady, especially when she showed us more
For a penny. We were all sorry when she put the viewing up
To sixpence. I wonder what happened to her. Nice girl she was.
On Saturday’s we would all go the Tudor picture house, just
Up from “The Valley” pub, just up Haunch Lane and on your right.
You can read about that if you feel like it in my poem “A Time
For Remembering”. Tu’pence, that’s all it cost. Two films we got
For that, the serial and then a long film. The Tudor I believe has
Since been demolished. The valley pub burned down not many
Years ago, about nineteen ninety-eight. My wife and I looked at
Its ruins when we were in the old country of the same year. I tell
I have looked after a few bikes for the drinkers to earn my picture
Money. It was that girl that made some of us go out to work. Six
Looks for sixpence, that was before her price rise.
Thank you Mister Anderson
Part Six..
Poland had already been invaded by the
German army and over the next months
Other countries in Europe fell to the
Might of Adolph Hitler’s war machine.
Adolph Hitler, golly there were a few
Songs made up about that little jumped up
Squirt, but they are not for publication.
From paper hanger, corporal in the army
To becoming a Dictator of the worst kind.
Being a nipper, I never really understood
What was going on. Even to hear that we were
At war did not really register until I saw for
Myself the devastation that took place every
Night in the city. We could hear the bombs
Exploding and saw the sky getting brighter
As air planes continued to rain down their
Bombs on poor old Birmingham. Beams
of searching light grew from the ground as
Each blade looked for an enemy plane.
Searching ever searching until one was trapped
In its white grasp. Another light swung across
The skies to further hold the captured plane.
The local Ack Ack batteries opened up on
The victim, and stars flashed around the
Invader. “Got the bugger” someone would
Shout not realizing that on crashing back onto
The city more lives would be lost, more building
Destroyed. Oh, how dear old Brumm bled.
Dad was too old to be called up and so he did
Voluntary duty with the L.D.V, the Local Defense
Volunteers. This was later called the A.R.P, the
Air Raid Precaution unit. The men put doors on the
Entrances of the entries to keep the cold winds at bay
During the winter months. Three men were on duty
All night long and it was not unusual to see smoke
Coming from under the door. Some men had managed
To get hold of braziers from the local council yard. These
A council worker used braziers at night, to keep himself
Warm when minding some council work that could be
Dangerous during the dark of night. It was jokingly said
That they were minding a hole in the road. If the worker
Was kindly soul he would share his fire with the occasional
Tramp or down and out. Even his Billy of tea was shared.
But they all had to be away before daylight in case the
Foreman caught him sharing council property. I am sure
That the old song “There’s another hole in the road. Well,
Well I’m blowed” was based upon these council workers.
We never had an entry, as we were the end house of a block
Of five houses. But Mister Holloway and the Bentley’s had
An entry to access their back gates. Tea would be brewed on
The small coke fire as was a fry pan full of bacon, eggs and
Sausage. This was during the very early days of the war, sooner
Than later, we would be severely rationed, and ration books and
Clothing coupons issued to every family. Every food item was
In short supply. Dad was lucky to get five Woodbine cigarettes
Every few days. Eventually the cigarette companies started
To make them from what grew in the fields. A cigarette made
From Coltsfoot was all that dad could manage until the local
Paper shop had a supply of Woodbine, Black Cat, or Player’s
Come in. He drew the line at used tealeaves. Later on when
I was about eleven my mates and I tried used tealeaves rolled
In a piece of newspaper. Every time we took a puff the lighted
End burst into flames. Our homemade cigarettes did not last long,
But they were cheap. Later, we took to following someone who
Had a cigarette stuck in his mouth, and ask “Save us yer dog end
Mate”. We were usually told to “Bugger off, I save em”. It was
The custom to save all dog ends until you had enough to roll
A full cigarette. We even tried to smoke old Benny Howe’s
Broken cane. Ecky thump, that nearly killed us, but we were
Game for anything in those days.
The trenches dug in our field became our “den’s”. We played
For hours after school and at week ends playing in the trenches.
We played at war games, some of us being the enemy while
The rest were “the good guy’s”. By the time the game was
Over everyone had been killed at least ten times. Just like
The Indians at the pictures, one minute they were shot dead,
The next moment the same Indians were on the warpath again.
Yer can’t keep a dead Indian down for long.
Sixpence a week I got as pocket money, a bit more if I ran
Errands for neighbors. A “aypenny” would go to a girl
For showing us her knickers, that was a aypenny each. She was
A very rich young lady, especially when she showed us more
For a penny. We were all sorry when she put the viewing up
To sixpence. I wonder what happened to her. Nice girl she was.
On Saturday’s we would all go the Tudor picture house, just
Up from “The Valley” pub, just up Haunch Lane and on your right.
You can read about that if you feel like it in my poem “A Time
For Remembering”. Tu’pence, that’s all it cost. Two films we got
For that, the serial and then a long film. The Tudor I believe has
Since been demolished. The valley pub burned down not many
Years ago, about nineteen ninety-eight. My wife and I looked at
Its ruins when we were in the old country of the same year. I tell
I have looked after a few bikes for the drinkers to earn my picture
Money. It was that girl that made some of us go out to work. Six
Looks for sixpence, that was before her price rise.
Thank you Mister Anderson
Part Six..
Poland had already been invaded by the
German army and over the next months
Other countries in Europe fell to the
Might of Adolph Hitler’s war machine.
Adolph Hitler, golly there were a few
Songs made up about that little jumped up
Squirt, but they are not for publication.
From paper hanger, corporal in the army
To becoming a Dictator of the worst kind.
Being a nipper, I never really understood
What was going on. Even to hear that we were
At war did not really register until I saw for
Myself the devastation that took place every
Night in the city. We could hear the bombs
Exploding and saw the sky getting brighter
As air planes continued to rain down their
Bombs on poor old Birmingham. Beams
of searching light grew from the ground as
Each blade looked for an enemy plane.
Searching ever searching until one was trapped
In its white grasp. Another light swung across
The skies to further hold the captured plane.
The local Ack Ack batteries opened up on
The victim, and stars flashed around the
Invader. “Got the bugger” someone would
Shout not realizing that on crashing back onto
The city more lives would be lost, more building
Destroyed. Oh, how dear old Brumm bled.
Dad was too old to be called up and so he did
Voluntary duty with the L.D.V, the Local Defense
Volunteers. This was later called the A.R.P, the
Air Raid Precaution unit. The men put doors on the
Entrances of the entries to keep the cold winds at bay
During the winter months. Three men were on duty
All night long and it was not unusual to see smoke
Coming from under the door. Some men had managed
To get hold of braziers from the local council yard. These
A council worker used braziers at night, to keep himself
Warm when minding some council work that could be
Dangerous during the dark of night. It was jokingly said
That they were minding a hole in the road. If the worker
Was kindly soul he would share his fire with the occasional
Tramp or down and out. Even his Billy of tea was shared.
But they all had to be away before daylight in case the
Foreman caught him sharing council property. I am sure
That the old song “There’s another hole in the road. Well,
Well I’m blowed” was based upon these council workers.
We never had an entry, as we were the end house of a block
Of five houses. But Mister Holloway and the Bentley’s had
An entry to access their back gates. Tea would be brewed on
The small coke fire as was a fry pan full of bacon, eggs and
Sausage. This was during the very early days of the war, sooner
Than later, we would be severely rationed, and ration books and
Clothing coupons issued to every family. Every food item was
In short supply. Dad was lucky to get five Woodbine cigarettes
Every few days. Eventually the cigarette companies started
To make them from what grew in the fields. A cigarette made
From Coltsfoot was all that dad could manage until the local
Paper shop had a supply of Woodbine, Black Cat, or Player’s
Come in. He drew the line at used tealeaves. Later on when
I was about eleven my mates and I tried used tealeaves rolled
In a piece of newspaper. Every time we took a puff the lighted
End burst into flames. Our homemade cigarettes did not last long,
But they were cheap. Later, we took to following someone who
Had a cigarette stuck in his mouth, and ask “Save us yer dog end
Mate”. We were usually told to “Bugger off, I save em”. It was
The custom to save all dog ends until you had enough to roll
A full cigarette. We even tried to smoke old Benny Howe’s
Broken cane. Ecky thump, that nearly killed us, but we were
Game for anything in those days.
The trenches dug in our field became our “den’s”. We played
For hours after school and at week ends playing in the trenches.
We played at war games, some of us being the enemy while
The rest were “the good guy’s”. By the time the game was
Over everyone had been killed at least ten times. Just like
The Indians at the pictures, one minute they were shot dead,
The next moment the same Indians were on the warpath again.
Yer can’t keep a dead Indian down for long.
Sixpence a week I got as pocket money, a bit more if I ran
Errands for neighbors. A “aypenny” would go to a girl
For showing us her knickers, that was a aypenny each. She was
A very rich young lady, especially when she showed us more
For a penny. We were all sorry when she put the viewing up
To sixpence. I wonder what happened to her. Nice girl she was.
On Saturday’s we would all go the Tudor picture house, just
Up from “The Valley” pub, just up Haunch Lane and on your right.
You can read about that if you feel like it in my poem “A Time
For Remembering”. Tu’pence, that’s all it cost. Two films we got
For that, the serial and then a long film. The Tudor I believe has
Since been demolished. The valley pub burned down not many
Years ago, about nineteen ninety-eight. My wife and I looked at
Its ruins when we were in the old country of the same year. I tell
I have looked after a few bikes for the drinkers to earn my picture
Money. It was that girl that made some of us go out to work. Six
Looks for sixpence, that was before her price rise.
