November 8, 2015

 

 

‘Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler’,

came from this popular war-time team.

Flanagan and Allen’s song later becoming,

the famous ‘Dad’s Army’ signature theme.

 

So many messages of love and hope,

came through in song and verse.

Every Service represented,

as families feared for the worse.

 

‘Won’t you come home ‘Bill Bailey’,

begged some desperate girl,

whilst ‘Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny’,

had another lass in a whirl.

 

‘Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run’,

came this early vegetarian cry,

from someone who couldn’t bear,

to see it cooked slowly, in a pie.

 

And saucy songs aplenty;

a guaranteed morale wager.

‘Ain’t she sweet’ coming to mind,

and ‘Kiss me goodnight, Sergeant Major’.

 

‘Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye,

sang our Gracie, the Queen of Rochdale.

‘Anchors away, my Boys’, a popular anthem,

as the Royal Navy ships set sail.

 

More encouraging unforgettable favourites,

like ‘Hang out the washing on the Siegfrid Line’,

kept the troops entertained, along with,

‘Bless em’ all’ and ‘You are my sunshine’.

 

And three more memorable songs

throughout this time could be heard:

‘The White Cliffs of Dover and ‘In the Mood’,

and also ‘Bye, Bye Blackbird.

 

The Cockney’s, as ever, came good,

with ‘Doing the Lambeth Walk’,

and ‘We’ll Meet Again’ by Vera Lynn,

had loved ones choked and unable to talk.

 

Vera’s ‘Yours’ (til the stars have lost their glory)’

also having the same effect.

And the king of wartime hits – Glenn Miller,

having so many songs on which to reflect.

 

Pulling into ‘Tuxedo Junction’, his

‘Chattanooga Choo-choo’ did chug.

And after alighting from the ‘Trolley Song’,

he reached for his ‘Little Brown Jug’.

 

Effortlessly, came more of his hits.

His place in history made.

With ‘Moonlight Becomes You’,

and also ‘Moonlight Serenade.

 

Glenn also said to ‘Accentuate the Positive’,

was the right thing to do,

before letting us into a secret,

that he had a girl in ’Kalamazoo’.

 

We can only surmise on something,

that we’ll never for certain know,

as to whom owned the telephone number

‘Pennsylvania 6 – 5000 ?   (oh, oh, oh.)

 

The Andrew Sisters did their bit

with ‘The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’.

And ‘Everything Stops for Tea’

from Jack Buchanan brought much joy.

 

‘When the Blue of the Night’ also,

ensured Bing Crosby was right there.

And Anne Shelton was convinced

‘A Nightingale sang in Berkeley Square’.

 

Let’s not forget about ‘London Pride’;

which was a very patriotic hit,

from Siamese-cat loving, Noel Coward:

Our very own lyrical wit!

 

And songs about ‘That Lovely Weekend’,

and ‘I’m looking over a four leafed clover’,

kept everyone’s spirit alive,

whilst longing for war to be over.

 

And many guys telling girls that they had,

the ‘Cutest Little Baby Face’.

And saying ‘Yes Sir, that’s my baby’

as photo’s shown, to pals, back at base.

 

Many more songs of optimism,

such as ‘Roll out the Barrel’.

And ‘My Old Man said follow the Band’,

they sang, as they marched in Forces apparel.

 

And Mothers having a heck of a time,

keeping their daughters indoors,

‘Yes, my darling daughter’, they answered,

as ‘Mama, may I go out dancing’, each implored.

 

‘Any Old Iron’, and ‘As time goes by’

more songs everybody knew.

Along with ‘Working for the Yanky Dollar’, and

‘You’ll never know just how much I miss you’.

 

War, they say is necessary,

but war is never pretty.

So much devastation, as

buildings bombed in every city.

 

We must never forget the bravery,

shown by those who fought and fell.

In an attempt to keep us free,

they gave their all, and went through hell.

 

Written by Harriet Blackbury.  Nov 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 7, 2015

 

 

Don’t go back home, son.

Don’t go back home.

A lonely bed was too much,

into another’s arms she did roam.

Don’t go back home, son.

Don’t go back home.

 

Come and stay with me, son.

Come and stay with me.

There are now four children,

in the house where you left three.

Come and stay with me, son.

Come and stay with me.

 

Thank you for the offer, Mother.

Thank you for the offer.

But I need Molly by me,

at whatever the cost.

Without her I am nothing,

and so totally lost.

 

—-

 

Today I saw my Molly,

as I alighted from the tram.

She was holding hands with my sons,

and my daughter was pushing a pram!

 

In that second, time stopped.

I knew I needed to be,

back in the arms of

the only one for me.

 

—-

 

 

I’m now home for good, Molly.

I’m now home for good.

I’ll bring her up as my own.

Is that understood?

I’m now home for good, Molly.

I’m now home for good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 4, 2015

 

Listen to

Tonys Time Machine – Pre Birthday Special

Live on

Wednesday 4th November

11.00 am to 1.00 pm

For a Fire-cracker of a show

including

Lively chat, Great music

and Poetry.

Tony will be in conversation with Dan

and they’ll  be reading

Harriet’s poem

‘For the love of The Bell years’.

Repeats all week at the usual times.

 

 

 

November 2, 2015

 

 

The stillness so deafening

as I sat in your room.

Your guitar quiet in the corner,

No drums going boom-boom.

 

I saw a sock on the floor

underneath the radiator.

The one that you told me

you’d look for later.

 

I saw my face in your mirror,

I wanted to smash the glass.

I wanted the world to end

and this madness to pass.

 

I heard your clock ticking

without rhythm or rhyme.

It mattered not, now,

no-one home at meal-time.

 

The centre of my universe gone;

the whole core of my being.

The blind panic that struck

now no sense I was seeing.

 

I wanted to lash out.

I kicked your football.

It bounced down the stairs,

and rolled into the hall.

 

This nightmare too crazy,

I wanted to scream,

And make everything right,

and awake from this dream.

 

I saw your dressing gown hung

on the back of the door.

And three pairs of your trainers,

neatly lined up on the floor.

 

Your room already a shrine;

I couldn’t take it anymore.

Nothing would ever again,

be like it was before.

 

I slept in your room

for many weeks after.

I awoke in the night

to the sound of your laughter.

 

And as time went by

I slowly learnt how to cope.

I met others in the same situation,

who gave me some hope.

 

I now feel so grateful

for every day spent with you,

and I celebrate your life,

the way that you’d want me to.

 

Sometimes I feel we are closer

than when you were alive.

It’s the way I get through.

It’s the way I survive.

 

God Bless you Darling.

 

 

November 1, 2015

 

 

Oh love, that deep

within me sleeps.

A rested soul

til daybreak peeps,

when together, onward

we walk freely;

two souls as one,

unseen, but clearly

united in death,

as in life, the same.

Oh love so deep,

You came, you came.

 

Your forever promise

you did fulfill,

to stay by me,

through winters chill.

No flesh to touch.

No tears to dry.

No look of love

seen in your eye.

But still you’re here

as my heart weeps.

Oh love that deep

within me sleeps.

 

 

 

 

Oh war that took

our love away,

to a distant land

where dangers lay.

Please keep him safe

for he took our heart

as a parting gift,

when he did depart.

 

Oh war that took

our love to sea,

where a twist of fate

his destiny.

Ten fathoms deep

his submarine,

when the enemy on

the horizon seen.

 

Oh war that tore

our world apart,

though so much promised

at the start.

And yes, we know

the war, we won,

but it took from us,

our precious son.

 

 

 

 

Through skies of hope

the journey starts,

amidst falling bombs

as quick as darts.

 

Where plane after plane,

to heaven ascend,

leaving broken hearts

that never mend.

 

 

 

 

I daily wait

at water’s edge.

My open heart

to him I pledge.

 

The point at which

we two last kissed,

I return to daily.

I can’t resist.

 

To recall the moment,

I never tire.

His love alone

all that I desire.

 

Please God let

his ship return.

And sight of bow

replace the stern.

 

I daily wait

at water’s edge.

My open heart

to him I pledge.

 

The one for me,

the only one.

My life on hold

since he’s been gone.

 

 

 

 

 

Into Angel’s arms

so many flew,

with a sense of duty

only they knew.

 

And a sense of hope

over-riding fear.

The cost of life,

so very dear.

 

 

 

 

I lived with your heartache,

witnessing your every hidden tear.

Imagine how I felt when you told me,

that but for me, you wouldn’t be here?

 

I saw you distraught

and half out of your mind,

juggling with past demons

that wartime love left behind.

 

I saw you courageous

and putting on a show

worthy of an ‘Oscar’,

whilst thinking, ‘Why did I let him go?’

 

I felt part of a conspiracy,

not of my own doing,

and unable to get help, turned to

a lifetime of nail chewing.

 

Then good times would appear,

( I prayed him gone from your inner sight)

and the real trio we were part of,

at last, seemingly happy and bright.

 

But the pattern always the same,

as your temporary highs became lows.

The choice you made not the right one?

Something God alone only knows.

 

And so the years went by,

until I finally left,

hoping you two might get closer,

but you felt even more bereft.

 

Now I was far away,

but never guilt free,

as knowing you weren’t coping

was still getting to me.

 

By now your wartime love,

you had decided, must be DEAD!

And the urge, to live near me,

just wouldn’t leave your head.

 

So after pressure, I surrendered;

your idea having merit I could see,

and the most satisfactory conclusion,

I had to agree, that there could be.

 

And so we happily co-existed,

though your new life a far cry,

from familiar friends and faces, that with

heavy heart, you’d both waved goodbye.

 

But the shadow hanging over you

now gone, so life worth another try:

One totally oblivious, One no longer living a lie,

and the One they created – the glue in the pie!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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