Here’s my long-overdue return to dVerse Meeting the Bar. This week, Gay is asking us to write a song! Now that’s a poetry form that brings back strong memories for me – I immediately thought of my mum singing along to Steeleye Span’s ‘All Around My Hat’ as she did the housework, and being taken to a Chieftans’ concert (and falling asleep – aaah, I was only very young!). Folk music is something that my family really enjoys – there is even morris dancing going on too (my mum again, with my step-dad playing an important musical role too).
Suffice to say, I’m a fan of the old folksy ballad, singing of love, loss, pride and passion. So, here’s my attempt… It’s inspired by the centenary year of the Great War – the War to End All Wars (if only). It’s simple, yet I hope it works.
Do visit the other poets who take part in this wonderful community… you’re in for a treat! And do let me know what you think of my song.
*****
– My Man Joe –
My sweetheart Joe is big and strong With a twinkling eye and a ready smile He works on the railways all week long Just to buy me a posy on a Friday
(chorus) I’ll always be with you, I’ll always be true I’ll stand by your side, forever be true
My fiancé Joe cuts a fine dash Driving his engine through the valleys He collects his wages and gives me cash Just to buy me a dress for our wedding
(chorus) I’ll always be with you, I’ll always be true I’ll stand by your side, forever be true
My husband Joe is a fine, proud dad He plays with his boys on a Sunday He sings in church, gives thanks and is glad For his family, luck and fortune
(chorus) I’ll always be with you, I’ll always be true I’ll stand by your side, forever be true
My soldier Joe walks proud and tall Marching away to the trenches God bless my man! God bless them all! Please let him come back safely
(chorus) I’ll always be with you, I’ll always be true I’ll stand by your side, forever be true
My man Joe gave his life and soul On the far away fields of Flanders For my boys and me he’ll not grow old Nor ever be forgotten.
(chorus) I’ll always be with you, I’ll always be true I’ll stand by your side, forever be true
As I wrestle with revisions, plot lines, character (assassinations) and general staring at an impending submission entry deadline, I have taken a trip down a (very long) memory lane this week.
I would be delighted to find out if, when reading this, you had any idea if this poem was written nearly 30 years ago, when I was but an angst-ridden teenager? This is the poem I mentioned in a previous post, being the last time I entered any sort of writing competition. I’m kind of impressed with my much younger self’s first forays into poetry, although I blush at the idealism – but isn’t that what being a teenager is partly about? It was the 1980s and I seem to remember being frightened silly by the prospect of nuclear war (which is rather sensible, when you think about it).
Thanks to my Mum digging out the book so that we could check the title (both of us could picture the cover, but not the name), I have managed to source a very good condition second hand copy, received it yesterday and am now able to share it with you all, just in time for the weekly extravaganza that is dVerse Open Link Night (which I will link up to later this evening).
The competition was run by the National Association of Youth Clubs in 1985 (I was 14 for most of that year) and was open to girls and young women between the ages of 8 and 22. I think I saw the notice about it in Jackie magazine, which was published weekly until 1993 (and is now defunct).
Come one, come all and join in at dVerse – and do let me know what you think of my old, old work 🙂
This week’s dVerse Poetics is asking us to look to the future and wax poetic on what we see there. I’m not sure if this fits the sci-fi that Bjorn would like to see, but I’m all about the dystopia, so this is what you’re getting! It’s partially inspired by the Silo series of books by Hugh Howey which I absolutely adore.
I hope you enjoy my creation – and please visit dVerse to read the other imaginings of my fellow poets!
