In that fortress isle so fair,
I am dreaming of old Lurgan,
And the joy of being there.
Once again my feet would wander,
Where the railway company play
‘Helter-skelter’ with the people
Who abide down Lough Road way.
And up Willia
m Street I’d saunter,
Greeting ‘Sally’ at her door.
Then I’d see ‘Bill’ at the Gas Works
Counting coppers by the score.
Being chased from there, I’d sally
Round to where I used to stay,
And while I’d yarn with ‘Jimmy,’
‘Freda’ ‘d draw a ‘dwap o’ tay’.
Up Church Walk then I would wander,
Where the kiddies all are plump.
Over to my worthy ‘Robbie’
Hopping round his petrol pump.
Then, of course, I’d see friend ‘Harry’
And his steadfast comrade ‘Mack,’
Thence to call on smiling ‘Norman’
How my thirsty lips would smack.
Round to see old comrade ‘Edmund’
Then my happy feet would tread
Once again we’d talk in earnest
Of the books we hadn’t read.
I would call awhile with ‘Sammy,’
In his old accustomed place,
How does ‘Sammy’ keep from smiling
When the ladies ask for lace?
Then I’d trip across to Woolworths,
To admire their latest show,
And I’d see the girls -or would I?
That I winked at long ago.
Then I’d ‘dunt’ against my ‘double’
Who has earned the doubtful fame
Of being ‘Con, the rusty rhymer’
Though ‘William’ is his proper name.
On and on my feet would wander,
Down the old familiar trail,
So, when we have vanquished Hitler,
Back to Lurgan I will sail.
Con McCool 17-7-40
The full article contains 281 words and appears in Lurgan Mail newspaper.
