Old Tom’s Wake

Old Tom’s Wake.


Old Tom has gone to heaven,
Or at least that’s what we think.
We argued about football when we’d had a drink.
The debate would be quite heated, with opposing points of views
Big tough lads with tear filled eyes, when we heard the news.

We didn’t really get along, it’s not like we were mates.
But we hope they’ve got a pub up there, beyond those pearly gates.
We’d sometimes get quite drunk with him and ponder about life.
We’ve clubbed together for the wake, to help his poor old wife.

Old Tom was just a working bloke, he had no heirs nor graces.
He left the lads with sadness, etched upon their faces.
Tom was just a simple man, whom he was, you saw.
Talked about his army days and what he did in’t war.

The younger blokes had no respect when “ Tommy “ had a moan.
But always walked him to his door, to ensure he got home.
You see Tommy, he was one of us although you’d never know.
Coz big tough blokes have feelings too, but never let them show

We’d rather curse and swear and laugh at everyone's mishaps.
But deep down inside us all, were gentle humble chaps
If we had domestic stress or were running short on bread.
Each of us would gladly give a loan or short term bed.

We are a band of brothers, who fight like Cherokee and Custer..
We trade our nasty insults, that we regard as bluster.
The things we say might seem harsh to those who hear our noise
But it really is just banter between us Northern boys


We’re going to take a day off work, sacrifice the pay.
Trade our jeans and overalls, wear smart dress for a day.
The lads will don their best white shirts and borrow a black tie.
To recall and to celebrate a really lovely guy.

Tom’s old retired workmates will travel from afar.
Because we’ve left a kitty stashed behind the bar.
Caring for the elders of our community..
Who attended in vast numbers, because the ales were free


We’ll make sure that the family is not without a pound.
And watch our friend and enemy being lowered in the ground.
We’ll celebrate his life. We’ll sink a few more jars,
Then finish off the afternoon, with whiskey and cigars.