The Merrie City Serenade

 

Behind the market hall, riding the Ark

Hand in hand lovers strolling through the park

Carving their initials deep in the bark

on this Merrie City Serenade

 

Old men and teenagers sitting in The Chance

Ian and Peter refusing to dance

Across the mighty Rafters dance floor expanse

to the Merry City Serenade

 

On Cannonball hill beneath a canopy of stars

Watching the dazzling lights from the bars

The girl is from Venus the boy is from Mars

In this Merry City serenade

 

Waiting and praying ‘neath the bus station clock

Hopes fading away with each tic and each toc

You haven’t even been once round the block

To the Merry City Serenade

 

Ada and Acolytes in the Tavern in their prime

Strangeways indeed but committing no crime

Escape on their minds – just wasting time

Another Merry City Serenade

 

A young man sells lovers a rose and a thorn

Supercockle sells revellers a crabstick or prawn

The Sally Army sell us that a saviour is born

Amongst the Merrie City Serenade

 

In The Record Bar buying Be-Bop Deluxe

At Thornes Park duck pond feeding the ducks

In the Redbeck cafe with the bikes and the trucks

A Merrie City serenade

 

Sat in the Black Horse with art student blues

The hippies and misfits high on the booze

Ken growls at each jukebox tune you choose

From the Merrie City Serenade

 

Metal Heads and Punk rockers answer the call

Of the upcoming bands at the Unity Hall

Where our parents and grandparents danced at the ball

To the Merrie City Serenade

 

The ghost of my youth drifts through these streets

Listen carefully and you’ll still hear the heart beats

The colourful place where today and yesterday meets

For the Merrie City Serenade