Sumb’dys Sunshine
From ‘Lancashire Miscellany’, edited by James Benett
Published by Hirst, Kidd & Rennie Ltd., Oldham, 1960.
If ‘Welcome, Bonny Brid’ is one of the most famous of Lancashire dialect poems, then it isn’t clear to me that ‘Sumb’dys Sunshine’ is anything but its equal. This is a gem of family charm. Get ready for a real treat. Link to Glossary.
Sumb’dys Sunshine
by H. B. Whitehead (1890 - )
Ther’s sumb’dys bit o’ sunshine,
Ut prattles on mi knee;
Ut’s awlus into mischief,
Wants o ut he con see;
Ther’s music in his laughter,
Ut tells o’ things divine;
Un every day awm thankful,
For o this joy ut’s mine.
Two twinklin’ een wheor th’ fairies play,
Un th’ glintin’ beoms o’ sunshine stray,
A tongue ut wags just when it will,
Two little feet ut’s never still.
When th’ neet-time shado’s gather,
Un darken deawn i’ th’ west;
Ther’s sumb’dy’s bit o’ sunshine,
Ut nestles toh mi breast;
Un like a song-brid weary,
Ut finds some friendly tree;
One curly yed is restin’,
‘Ut’s o this world toh me.
Two droopin’ lids ut th’ end o’ th’ day;
Two little feet ‘ut’s tire’t o’ play;
A little tongue ‘ut lisps a prayer,
A little life toh tend un care.
Return to index of Lancashire dialect poems