Back In the Day

Back in the day when kids could just play Without the fear of being stolen away, We would be out at almost first light Only in for our meals until it were night. Football and cricket both in their season, Just to be out was a good enough reason. You could run down the entry trying to hide, It weren't full of junk, people then had pride. Our Mum's donkey stoned steps, straight as a die, If you stood on 'em wet, a clip made you cry. Even the binmen were all trained in their skill, A brush and shovel was there to pick up the spill. All the tradesmen knew to deliver proper, no lip, If they were cheeky or late,no Christmas tip. At Kitties Greengrocer us lads would be keen, To be picked on a Saturday to keep the place clean. Down in the cellar we'd go and boxes we'd stack, If it wasn't done right you didn't come back. Those picked for the shop sometimes came a cropper, The hardest job there was filling that huge spud hopper. We got maybe a tanner or bob if the job was well done, Bellies were full and we got stuff to take home to Mum. Not many toys,but with a bat n ball we had fun all day, Back in the day when kids could just play. © Dave Timperley 3 October 2016