Steve White

Nelson

Thursday 31st August 2023 1:50 pm

In the kingdom of the blind
A one-eyed man is king
He wears a tricorn hat
And his right arm’s just a sling
They’ll pickle him in brandy
When his last race is run
And he’s shagging Lady Hamilton
In a pub they call The Gun

His pals in the West Indies
Are keen on keeping slaves
That damnable Wilberforce
Our one-eyed hero raves
I’ll fight him with both arm and tongue
The lifestyle he betrays
I’m old school colonialist
And Britannia rules the waves

In the kingdom of the blind
A one-eyed man is king
He wears a tricorn hat
And his right arm’s just a sling
One day there’ll be a column
Upon which he’ll proudly stand
And the blind eye will be ours
In this green and pleasant land

🌷(2)

◄ Politics For People Who Don't Do Politics

A Life of Rhyme ►

Comments

Steve White

Fri 1st Sep 2023 12:34

Thanks, Stephen!

And cheers John! Tapping the Admiral's a great little pub and I do try to pop in when I'm in the area.

John Gilbert Ellis

Fri 1st Sep 2023 10:21

We're pretty good at eulogising heroes and glossing over seedy elements of their past.

You also reminded me of a pub in Kentish Town, North London called 'Tapping the Admiral'.

After Nelson's death at the battle of Trafalgar, in 1805, his body was stored in a barrel of brandy to preserve it during the long journey home. While en-route to Gibraltar the crew of the HMS Victory tapped the barrel and would draw brandy through macaroni straws, to toast the Admiral, hence the term 'tapping the Admiral'.

Stephen Gospage

Thu 31st Aug 2023 21:49

An entertaining and searching poem, Steve. Thanks.

M.C. Newberry

Thu 31st Aug 2023 17:22

In today's knee-bending world
It seems to be a crime
To serve a nation's flag unfurled
Back in "Bony's" time. 😏

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