This poem by Rod MacGregor of Dundee was written for Charlie’s coronation. It also makes reference to the words of Mary Brookesbank, the communist songwriter, poet and author, also from of Dundee. Her words, Oh dear me, the world’s ill-divided/ Them that work the hardest, are the least provided/ I maun bide contented dark days or fine, For thae’s nae much pleasure livin’ affen ten and nine/ are from the Jute Mill Song. They can be found on the Canongate facade of the Scottish Parliament. We’d like to thank Rod for sending us this poem.
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THE CORONATION
The great and good are gathered,
The choir, how they sing.
The shout goes up so loudly
As they yell, “God save the King. “
But not all think so, thankfully.
Myself, I’m filled with scorn.
The man to whom I’ll bend my knee?
That man is not yet born!
And in a country that they say
Is famous for being carin’
The money splashed on this gross bash
Would feed a million bairns.
Aye, that’s right! There’s hungry bairns,
There’s no way that is right.
And old folk in the dark and cold
Who dread the coming night.
But let’s not linger on the needs
Of the poor, who are so many.
Let’s squander millions on the few
And give them not a penny.
They live in houses you and me,
Our taxes they provided.
While some sleep rough, no friendly roof,
This world’s still ill-divided.*
So, on the day, I have to say
I’ll be full o’ derision.
I’ll stay at home, and on my own
I’ll have a different vision.
A land where no one goes without,
Freeloaders – there are none.
Where all is shared, no royals there.
Now, doesn’t that sound fun?
- * The words taken from Mary Brookesbank’s The Jute Mill Song
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