THE AUTHOR IS ANONYMOUS

Half a hundred years ago when we were young and free:
Then Ulverston seemed a paradise, to such as you and me

The town was not as dangerous, our playground was the street:
And warning we had plenty when we heard the horses feet.

We fished and swam in Gillbanks stream, and we hid in Springfield wood:
Our football field was Outrigg’s ‘Screws’, oh yes those days were good!

To play and swim at Bardsea, by horse and trap we went:
At Canal Foot and Tridley, what happy days we spent.

Up and down the alleyways we played ‘Jack shine your light’:
And pinched each others bonfire stuff for that November night.

Watched the hirings on a fair day, and sent the swingboats high:
Visited the sideshows, and at the coconuts we’d shy.

Parade days too were bright and gay, with Queen and retinue:
The horse drawn floats and dancing troupes were full of friends we knew.

The funny costumed men and girls, begging for your penny:
Holding chutes to windows so they did not miss out any.

On winter’s nights at twilight,Ned Cockerton would go:
To every gas lamp in the town to light it’s flickering glow.

The in the morning round again, with his long handled rod;
Turning each one off again, how many miles Ned trod.

There were shuttlecocks and marbles, and hoops both big and small:
And whips and tops and ‘guinea pig’, and chestnuts to make fall.

The monument on Hoad Hill, to climb right to the top:
Then down again to sample the chocolate or the pop.

Yes, Ulverston was wonderful when you and I were young:
And memories are a neckalace on which those days are strung.

Peaceful days and happy days, when all the world was ours:
And every day was sunshine, and very few had showers.

Those days are gone and friends we knew are scattered far and wide:
Some are in far a country and some there are who’ve died.

The games we played, the places loved, our children will never know:
They were only there for those who were young, in those days of long ago.