Farewell (For Ewan McColl d 21.10.89)
Farewell travellers
Until they have rounded the lanes you loved best!
Farewell workers
Until all of our people call all others their friend!
That voice, oh that voice - words alone can
I
With your hand by your ear and your chair turned around -
I can just see you now - I can still hear your sound!
Farewell ballad builder - great singer of songs -
Farewell poem penner and hiker so long!
May your songs tremble hearts and quarter the skies -
Like a captive bird freed - high o
Oh Manchester Rambler - may you ramble anon -
Oh hunter of herring - may you hunt on and on;
Farewell to the voice that no one could mistake -
May it long sound o
Farewell to the stories you knew well how to tell -
May they stay part of Cuilbeig, Bleaklow and Scafell.
May the Sweet Thames flow softly to the tune we know well -
Oh master of singers, so long and farewell!...
