..the setting, a Lancashire cotton mill town in the 1950’s

Be patient while I brush dear
As I ‘pin’ you to the chair
Yes, I know that you’re impatient
And rushing to get there

You spent the night with hair in rags
Some with Marks and Spencer’s tags
From clothing worn and threadbare
Now in strips to curl your hair

The day has come, my little one
As each year it comes by
You look forward to the brass band
And walk the streets with so much pride

Here’s your bouquet now, take it
Handle it carefully
Smell the sweet carnations
Hold them up now, let me see

Do a twirl now, little one
In your pretty hand smocked dress
Collared Peter Pan
And stretched criss crossed on your chest

I see your little toes peep through
The peep toed shoes I bought for you
For now you’re all of seven years old
These are the proper shoes, I’m told!

Now I watch you dance dear
To the music only you can hear
Its notes and rhythms in your mind
You make up steps of every kind

Go join your friends who wait for you
Behind the banner * saying “God loves you”
Keep this annual tradition true
Rejoice in brass band and drum

One day you'll be all grown up
There's such a lot to learn
Lots of different people
And ways of doing things to discern

You’ll learn more of loving kindness
And inequalities too, that’s true
But be a friend to all dear
That’s all I ask of you

With brass bands, ropes and banners gone
You'll have other things on your mind
Like little children of your own dear
…Just teach them to be kind


WALKING DAY is an annual procession of Christian witness which still takes place in some Lancashire UK towns. *Banners resembling trade union banners suspended on poles are carried by men wearing special holsters. In the 50’s the ‘walk’ was accompanied by brass bands whose music consisted of Sousa interspersed with Jesus shall reign and the Church’s one foundation etc. !!

08/11/2002

Posted on 08/11/2002
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