Biography
Not a poet, just enjoy words, writing and speaking
Samples
The Jagger’s Refrain From Halifax to Oldham I tread the old trackways, I lead my train o’er Cop Hill and down the cobbled lanes. Past Tyas’ Slawit Manor and on to Marsden town, Past stocks and church and hostleries, my bell horse in the van. The packmen of the Pennines, we bring you pretty things As well as salt and corn and coal to warm you till the spring. From Marsden we climb up Pule Hill, the ways are rough and steep; The panniers catch on the rocks, the cloughs are dark and deep. There’s no way for the wagons or coaches through these hills, No way to bring machinery to set up carding mills - The packmen of the Pennines, we bring you pretty things As well as salt and corn and coal to warm you till the spring. And cross Close Moss to Uppermill we trek through rain and snow. The biting wind cuts through my cloak, my feet freeze with the blow. But now the highway’s laid below by Knaresborough’s Blind Jack - He’s crossed the mires with cunning guile by bundling whin and brack. The packmen of the Pennines, we bring you pretty things As well as salt and corn and coal to warm you till the spring. Jack’s roads are fine, his roads are wide and coaches will sustain, But not for me the turnpike road, for a jagger with his train. The toll-board at the bar-house spells it out loud and clear, It’s thruppence for each pony! We think it very dear. The packmen of the Pennines, we bring you pretty things As well as salt and corn and coal to warm you till the spring. I cannot spare a florin That’s all I make each day, And for the ease of coachmen I’m not inclined to pay. They’re welcome to collect their tolls And though they find it galling, We’ll keep our old ways cross the hills - You’ll hear our bells come calling: The packmen of the Pennines, we bring you pretty things As well as salt and corn and coal to warm you till the spring.
All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.
Do you want to be featured here? Submit your profile.
Ann Foxglove
Sun 21st Apr 2013 08:27
Hi Jan - a rather belated welcome to WOL. I love your poem - you should maybe put it on the blogs where more people will see it. I can imagine it as a folk song too. Not a poet? Who are you kidding! Lovely stuff!