One day, little Albert Ramsbottom
To see 'ow much money 'e'd got
Stuck a knife in 'is money-box slot 'ole
And fiddled and fished out the lot.
It amounted to fifteen and fourpence
Which 'e found by a few simple sums
Were ninety two tuppenny ices
Or twice that in penn'orths of gums.
The sound of the chinkin' of money
Soon brought father's 'ead round the door
He said, "Whats that there, on the table?"
Albert said it were, "Fifteen and four."
"You're not going to spend all that money…"
Said Pa, in an admonitory tone
"On toffee an' things for your stomach."
Said Mother, "Why not?… it's his own."
Said Pa, "Nay, with that fifteen shillings,
We'll buy National Savings and then…
In five years we'll have seventeen and six
And one pound and sixpence, in ten!"
Young Albert weren't what you'd call eager
He saw his sweet dreams fade away,
Ma said, "Let 'im 'ave the odd fourpence."
Pa lovingly answered, "Nay… nay!"
"It's our duty in crisis… what's 'appened
For every child, woman and man
To strain every muscle and sinew
To raise every penny we can!"
He said, "Even this little fourpence…
Might help us, the Germans to drub!"
Then 'e dropped the four coins in 'is pocket
And made for the neighboring pub.
These words stirred the 'eart of young Albert
He made up 'is mind then and there
To take up 'is part in the straining
And sell everything 'e could spare.
So off 'e went down to the junk shop
With some toys and a flashlamp, he'd got.
And the stick with the 'orses 'ead 'andle
He received half a crown for the lot.
He went off to the Post Office counter
Where National Savings was bought
But found that they cost fifteen shillings
Which meant he were twelve and six short.
The little lad wasn't down 'earted
He went off without wastin' words
And sold 'is dad's smoking companion
And 'is Mother's glass case of stuffed birds.
At the Post Office counter they gave 'im
A certificate all crisp and clean
Then back 'e went 'ome, to his parents
To say what a good boy he'd been.
They didn't 'alf shout, when he told 'em
By Gumm… but 'e were in the wars
But at finish, they 'ad to forgive 'im
It were all done in such a grand cause.
There's a moral, of course. to this story
That's pointing to you and to me…
Let's all be young Alberts and tend
To defend the right to be free.
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Comments
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Brilliant.
Robin.
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Cool , brill, as always. I remember when too, though I may have fought me dad fert fourpence . Just love this stuff. amazing !!!. excellent well done. take care mal.
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This is a good read, I can hear the accent as the story is being told. I like the little lesson he gives in this piece. I am hooked never have read his stuff before but if they follow the like I will be reading more.
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Always good to read about children - how they take things literally. I was surprised that he was just shouted at, as in those days kids usually got a right good hiding!
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I've been here to read a few of Edgar before, and this one is no less amusing than the others in the lot. The colloquialism is beautiful any the patriotic theme still rings well in modern ears.
-Nando- -
omg, that's great!I used to have a 'stick with an 'orses 'ead 'andle'!! he he! Bit of a Wallace and Grommit style isn't it!
Love that!
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dunna\' worry it\'ll be reet.
I sat as a young boy while my Grandfather recounted the tales of "Young Albert" It has brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye, as well as a grin to my five year old, to find them all again. -
It gets better... I just love that accent!!
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Entranced from the very first stanzy, I read through them all without pause. A great introduction to a humorous poet who until was unknown to me.
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A well told tale what stood out for me was the fathers hypocrisy some things dont change do they we often do the very things we admonish our kids not to how will they learn except by example. this is an excellent poem told well with humour and an understanding of human nature.
The character of Albert reminded me a lot of William Brown. -
OOO i liked this it was a great job very different from what i'm used to reading but none the less i enjoyed this pieces becuase of the vivd pictures you painted here...great job.
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This is a great piece of north English dialect, and what a way to tell such a humourous tale. The scene unravels before the readers eyes so well.
Andrew
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