Parrots At the Earl De Grey

At one time it was said From Hull to Valparaiso, Or any deep sea port Any Mariner might know, You could find a body who’d Heard of the old Earl de Grey, Many had even been there On an onshore off duty day. They’d talk of the girls Offering friendship to all And of the famous parrots On their perches by the wall. Fluent in their language Freely cursing all and sundry Regardless of their gender, Colour creed or country. It was rumoured they were sold To a more refined type of place But after a just few weeks Were returned in disgrace. Their partnership sadly ended By a nervous burglar’s blade One being killed to silence any Statement it may have made. The survivor then fell silent, No more cursing one and all, Apparently in mourning for It’s partner's sad downfall. So those cursing Parrots Came to an uncertain end But to a certain generation They are a vivid local legend. The Pub’s now just a memory, The old docks long gone The building still stands but Times have moved steadily on. New developments are planned And although it’s still here There’s quite a chance It may soon now disappear. But, I like to think maybe Some far away tavern’s host Is regaled by their tale And they all drink a toast To the famous cursing parrots At the Old Earl de Grey And more innocent days Before time swept them away.