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Clogs I'm not certain who wrote this enjoyable Lancashire dialect poem. There is a version of it on the LP 'Deep Lancashire - Songs of the Indusrial North-West (Topic Records Ltd., ref. 12T188) where it is recited by, and appears to be attributed to, Harvey Kershaw. My version comes from a typed copy left by my father. Clogs As soon as Ah were owd enough
To toddle on me own down t’ clough,
They made me wear – ‘cause t’ loan were rough
Some Clogs
When later on Ah went to t’ Skoo
Because mi Mother made me goo,
Wi’ temper – Ah punced through
Mi Clogs.
Skoo Maisther ‘at Ah had just then
Oft gan me t’ stick – but more so when
He saw ‘at Ah’d forgot to clen
Mi Clogs.
Like o’ young lads Ah loved a lark,
Ah liked to mek clog-irons spark.
Ah cracked – through doing it in t’ dark
Mi Clogs.
Mi fayther went off at t’ deep end
When he fun’ out – he made me bend –
Then Ah felt what power a foot could lend
To Clogs.
If bigger lads at top o’ t’ brew,
Should try to bash me, coming from t’ Skoo,
One thing ‘ud allus pull me through –
Mi Clogs.
From t’ Skoo, Ah went half-time in t’ Mill,
A skip wi’ bobbins Ah’d to fill’
Mi first week’s wage just settled t’ bill –
For new Clogs.
At 18 Ah were courting strong,
Sad to say, it didn’t last long;
For hoo said when Ah axed her what were wrong –
It’s thi Clogs.
That hurt so mich, Ah welly skriked,
An’ after tay, to bed Ah piked.
But Ah fun a lass, who said hoo liked –
Mi Clogs.
We were wed i’ June, at following year,
Th’ owd Church were crammed – you couldna’ stir,
That’s th’ only time Ah didna’ wear –
Mi Clogs.
Ah’m owder now bi 50 year;
But let them as want, have shoes to wear.
Ah’ll be owd fashioned and prefer –
Mi Clogs.
Shoon nip yer feet, just like a vise;
Ah’ve had some and it’s noan so nice.
If you have too – tek my advice –
Try Clogs.
If you’ve getten a job, like shifting sond in,
Or bug-blinding yer upstairs londin’
You’ll need a gradely understondin’ –
Try Clogs.
Two things you’ll find browt Lancashire fame;
An’ one is Cotton and t’ Cotton Frame.
But as for t’ other, well there’s nobbut one name –
And that’s Clogs.
C-L-O-G-S – Clogs!
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