A selection of Ernie Lane's poetry -

 

Autumn Leaves

The Autumn leaves are falling fast

The Summer's gone, fine days are past

We sit and think what might have been

If summer days had been serene

 

The lovely sun up in the sky

Was hiding somewhere, very shy

He must have been in deep disgrace

We hardly ever saw his face

 

Perhaps we all expect to much

To feel his warmth, and tender touch

But now the scene as changed again

It's rain, and rain, and rain again

 

The fields of grain are looking sad

It's the wettest time they've ever had

The ditches to have overflown

It's the wettest time they've ever known

 

And then to add a dismal plight

The winter days are now in sight

With Jack Frost ready with his bite

And then the snow with all its might

 

And so I'll end this tale of woe

As onward gently we must go

And after all the snow and rain

Perhaps the sun WILL shine again.

Childhood Days

In childhood days we used to walk

Across the hills so steep

We could not wait for holidays

To see the cows and sheep

The cowslips and the buttercups

Were there for all to see

A lovely sight when you were young

When we were gay and free

But sadly life has changed all that

The cowslips have all gone

The plough and spray as ended life

For flowers so beautiful and young

Those lovely elms stood gracefully a reaching for the sun

We used to climb them every year

But now alas they've gone

The crows all built their nests in them

For many a hundred year

We heard their chatter every spring

But now its only tears

They have not been defeated

Though they cannot build so high

Their nest are nearer to the ground

A sight for you and I

But nature is a wonderous thing

And life will still go on

No matter what the future brings

The birds will sing their song.

 

 

Bredon Hill
As I look across on Bredon Hill

And see the sheep a grazing still

A lovely scene for young and old

And what a beauty to behold

 

With Grafton shining like a star

And 'Paris' near and yet so far

The world's alive with joy and song

It's all for us where we belong

 

And then across the vale I see

The Malvern Hills so gracefully

A landmark that should not be missed

At close of day or morning mist

 

I've watched them all in fog and rain

But when the sun comes out again

A grander sight you'll never see

To last you to Eternity

 

And so I'll close for you and I

As memories go rolling by

What joyful days, what a lovely scene

I hope we can keep our memories green.

 

The Loveliness of Spring

As I sit on the lawn this lovely night

The world is filled with sheer delight

The lambs are shouting in the glen

It makes me feel quite young again

The cuckoo sings, but its getting late

Perhaps he has a later date

 

As I look in the distance the hills I can see

Those lovely old hill are still precious to me

I've loved walking round them by day and by night

They're the best in the world, what a wonderful sight

And deep in my memory the birds will still sing

What a wonderful chorus in winter or spring

 

And then comes tomorrow for rich or for poor

It's no good complaining it's happened before

So take what is sent you, and don't be afraid

Of the glorious 'New Day', that's how we are made

So keep travelling through, the way may be long

At the end of the journey keep singing a song

 

So always remember the birds will still sing

and add to the glory, the Loveliness of Spring.

 

Christmas

Christmas time is here again

It gives your heart a thrill

With Christmas trees and pretty leaves

And stockings there to fill

With Father Christmas on his way

With reindeer tugging at his sleigh

With lots of toys for girls and boys

To share in all their cares and joys

With carol singers at your door

A' singing lustily

With mouth organ and tambourine

A lovely sight to see

On Christmas Eve we went to bed

We knew we would not sleep

We'd hide our heads beneath the sheets

Just longing for a peep

Then early in the morning

Our hearts were filled with glee

That lovely man had called again

But him we did not see

Outside the snow was falling

It wasn't going to stop

Then we undid our stockings

They were filled up to the top

With sweets and nuts and candy

And books and toys as well

We all were so excited

We all had tales to tell

So good luck to you Santa

As you go on you're way

Perhaps you'll call again next year

We'd all love you to stay

So good luck on your journey

As you travel through the snow

For the joy you bring to others

You'll never never know.

 

 

Dumbleton Hall

It lies back off the Winchcombe road

It really is a beauty to behold

Its lawns and terraces all so green and neat

To see then many years ago made your heart beat

The lovely lake still glistens in the sun

Where man worked hard until the day was done

The island too is quite a sight to see

Where moorhens build their nests so happily

The boathouse too concealed beneath the falls

Is quite a lovely sight when the kingfisher calls

Then as you wander further midst the daffodils and yew

You'll see the lovely crocus kissed by the morning dew

 

Then comes the lovely springtime

When the sun begins to shine

When the cherry and the lilac trees stand out like a shrine

Then later on, the bluebells adorn the banks with blue

Its like a carpet just meant for me and you

Then looking cross the valley there's a secret to be told

You'll see the rhododendron with its lovely red and gold

And behind it the Warren with its hills and banks so steep

You'll see the lovely pheasants and the grazing of the sheep

 

Then looking back to years gone by

I know its not the same

Where people worked and people walked

Where people played the game

And so lets hope as years go by

And seasons come and go

Those lovely days will come again

For everyone to know

So if you wander up the hill and you want a place to call

Just call and see the beauty of Dumbleton Hall.

 

 

Lovely Dumbleton

It nestles near the hills so bright

It really is a lovely sight

The skies are blue, the air is free

The kids play cricket when they're three

So if you're short of having fun

Then come to lovely Dumbleton

 

As you wander through the village street

There's lots of folk you'd like to meet

But its not quite like it used to be

But still its great fun for you and me

What fun we had in days gone by

We'd play together merrily

So if you're short of having fun

Then come to lovely Dumbleton

 

School holidays were always fun

We felt that life had just begun

We'd wander down the fields so free

To find a nest or climb a tree

The peewit with its lovely sound

The lark arising from the ground

There's joy around for everyone

So come to lovely Dumbleton

 

 

Seasons

Moonlight shadows stealing through the night

The long day is past we're filled with delight

Tomorrow is not far away

We don't know what's in store

But if we get safely through the night

We cannot ask for more

The fields of gold are turning

The combine's on its way

It's lusty blades will cut the corn until the end of day

 

And the plough will follow on

It's duties to fulfil

To plough the fields and make them all ready for the drill

And that's how life still journey's on

To sow and reap and mow

And see the corn is gathered in

Before the winter's snow

 

So as life goes on and seasons change

No matter what we do

Let's hope the grass will still stay green

Beneath those skies of blue

So don't despair when winter's here and you get those winter blues

Remember spring will soon be here

With its beauty and its news.

 

 

 

 

Memories

I wanted a trip down memory lane
So to Toddington Mill I went once again
It's a wonderful place, the best on earth
I once knew it well, twas the place of my birth

As I walked around with the brook in full flow
It answered the questions, I wanted to know
The scenery as changed since I was a boy

But to see it once more filled my heart with joy

 

With the daffodils out and the crocus' too

And the hills in the distance what a wonderful view

The old rustic bridge as long since gone

But its beautiful memories still lingers on

 

We loved playing around it from daylight till dark

With some wonderful games upon Toddington Park

 

Then once in the summer we'd leave the old Mill

For a wonderful picnic upon Langley Hill

Twas a long way to go, but our spirits were high

What a glorious day, not a cloud in the sky

 

After puffing and blowing at last sat down

To a beautiful feast all on our own

But good thing must end, whether sunshine or rain

And then it was time to go home again

 

But if we could change all the things that we know

For those wonderful days of long, long ago

And just walk around with peace and goodwill

And those wonderful memories of Toddington Mill.

 

 

Spring

So come with me, yes come with me

We'll walk upon the hill

Perhaps we'll hear the cuckoo

Or see the daffodil

We'll walk up by the Brickyard

The Jubilee as well

Where we all played in days gone by

No secrets there to tell

The looking across the valley

There's lovely Bredon Hill

It's always stood the test of time

I know it always will

 

Then looking down to Didcot

Where we lived for twenty years

What memories go fleeting by

With its happiness and tears

So travelling on past Oxhill

We climb to heights above

We hear the pheasant with his song

And the wailing of the dove

And then we see the hare

As he goes along his way

We don't no where he's going

Well he didn't stop to say

 

So now were walking home again

Across these hills so bright

There's no place on earth quite like them

They are a sheer delight

So next time when were walking

Be the weather fine or fair

We'll walk across to Bluebell Wood

That's something else to share.

 

 

The Isbourne

So come with me, yes come with me

Let's walk along the way

The lark is singing in the sky

There's people making hay

We'll walk along the river bank

Or sit in sweet repose

It's lovely on this summer morn

Where the river Isbourne flows

 

It gently winds its way across the meadows sweet and low

Sometimes it travels fast sometimes it travels slow

It still lives in my memory

I know it always will

When we played there by the Mill

We left the Mill for Buttermilk

I remember I was five

In those days I'd just started school

Twas good to be alive

Then after school we'd meet outside

To walk back home again

Or run up to the station

To see the 'Puffer Train'

 

So flow on lovely river

Flow gently on your way

I know you'll stop for no-one

Not for the time of day

No, I'll not forget that time we met

Perhaps, we'll meet again who knows

Then I'll walk along the lovely banks

Where the 'lovely Isbourne' Flows

 

 

Those Dumbleton Hills

As I wander upwards on my way

Beginning at the break of day

To see these hills fills me with joy

Where I used to wander as a boy

There's the Warren with its beauty still

The Chair, the Dingle, and Oxhill

And farther on through glades of green

The charm of Bulman can be seen

And as you pass along the way

Where the squirrels and the rabbits play

You'll hear the cuckoo with his tune

What a lovely world, what a lovely June

Then there's Peters Hill and Oakhill too

To merely mention just a few

Then looking in the vale below

The fields of green are all aglow

With beauty as you've never seen

What a lovely sight, what a lovely scene

Then walking back from Washbourne Hill

There's Primrose bank also Oathill

Then leaving Dawner on my right

The Big Wood to with all its might

Then after walking through the glen

I'm on my way back home again

To dream about the joy, the thrills

Of that wonderful sight, those Dumbleton Hills.

 

 

That Lovely Sixpence

We had to walk a mile to school

Through weather fine and weather cruel

We'd leave each morning after eight

We were always scared of being late

We'd pick some friends up on the way

And look forward to the games we'd play

Then into lessons we must go

To read and write with cheeks aglow

With teachers breathing down your neck

Sometimes you felt an awful wreck

Then playtime came with joyful glee

We'd rush outside so happily

But sadly playtimes didn't last

They'd ring the bell, playtimes were past

Then back to lessons we must go

The lessons hard, the time so slow

Then after all the sweat and strain

Twas time to walk back home again

And as we walked along the way

With spirits high and hearts so gay

A lovely sight lay on the ground

One lovely sixpence to be found

My sister picked it up with glee

Said, 'That sixpence now belongs to me'

'Oh no', I said with tears to burst

'That's surely mine I saw it first'

But Joan said, 'No, I'm feeling fine'

Then gently took her hand in mine

And said, 'We'll share it, threepence each'

I said, 'O.K.', she's such a peach

Then nearing home she said to me

Perhaps tomorrow we will see

A silver shilling lying there

That's something else that we can share

What lovely days, alas they've gone

But still the memory lingers on.

 

 

Violet and Dumpling

On leaving school I went to work on Dumbleton Hill

They were wonderful days, each day was a thrill

I'd start out from Didcot my heart full of joy

I felt like a man though only a boy

With Violet and Dumpling we'd plough the field all day

What a wonderful pair, there's no better today

Then when we finished ploughing, we'd scuffle and drill

With all the seeds covered for good and for ill

Then came the haymaking, yes life had begun

We'd all help together, yes life was such fun

And then came the harvest the binder as well

Twas pulled by Violet and Dumpling, with Punch there as well

Twas hard work this harvest but it had to be done

And after a fortnight the battle was won

And then every morning with the hills there so steep

You'd see Fly and Ginty a'rounding the sheep 

And then a lovely sight you'd see a coming up the hill

It was the old Threshing Drum to test out your skill

The when the Drum was set in place and ready for the next day

We'd all arrive at seven o'clock and ready for the fray

But threshing is a dusty job, if you live near or far

And then a lovely sight you'd see, the lovely cider jar

The driver he then stopped the drum, twas lovely to relax

We'd sometimes sit on bales  of straw and sometimes on the sacks

The after having three or four, sometimes it reached to five

Then off we'd go with sleeves rolled up twas good to be alive

Then with the threshing finished the year cleaned up as well

The straw and the corn all stacked away

Twas all made safe for winter's day

What a lovely tale to tell

 

 

 

 

Sweet Isobel

There is a girl I used to know

I knew her very well

The fun and games we used to have

Her name was Isobel

Do you remember the schooldays

When you set their hearts on fire

'Old Thunder', the schoolmaster

You know his name was prior

Then there was Molly and Ivor and Zoe as well

We all played together those days, they were swell

Then there was 'The Plantation', the "Hollow" as well

We used to play up there, no secrets to tell

I wish all those days could come back again

With the kissing and the cuddling in sunshine or rain

But life must go on no matter the the cost

First you're in love then you have lost

Remember those days upon Dumbleton Hill

With the bluebells and daffodils, oh what a thrill

So remember dear as year roll by

I'll always wish you well

Those memories of Dumbleton

With sweet Isobel