Does this place look familiar?

Do you feel like you’ve been here before?

Listen!  Someone is ranting!

About not giving to the poor!

“If they’re hungry and if they’re homeless,

Well, that’s what the workhouse is for!”

Bob Cratchit is in there, 

But he doesn’t look up!

He has too many eviction notices, 

To be prepared, in time

For Christmas Day!

 

The offices of one Charles Smithson, 

A solicitor of Malton Town, 

A local character of some renown, 

As a friend of Mr Dickens,

He was ‘Our friend in the North.’

Dickens used him as a playful stooge,

A model for his famous Scrooge!

 

Did this character assassination

Put a strain on their relationship?

Calling him a tight-fisted hand

On the grindstone,

Bestowing worldwide infamy

As the by-word for a miserable miser!

Or did they go over to 'The Green Man.' 

For a pint of the landlord’s beer

And a good old chuckle?

 

To be ‘Ebeneezer  Scrooge’

Might seem like a curse.

But, after all, my family and friends

Have called me some names, 

Which are many times worse!

For what is life, without just a bit of banter?