The Queen’s Arms pub in Tyldesley
Is the venue for the play
Where pensioners once working men are sat
Enjoying pints of beer
And horses on the screen
It’s afternoon and pleasant is their chat
They don’t drink spirits working men
Whisky and the like
It’s too expensive no good for a thirst
When working in the mine you see
The throat gets fairly dry
It doesn’t touch the sides drinking their first
Now into this fair pleasant scene
Another man walks in
A business man contractor his employ
Well dressed he is he’s got some brass
But one among his men
He’s happy now this company to enjoy
It’s my father’s turn to buy the round
As this man idles in
Will you join us John a beer or maybe shandy
‘That’s very kind,’ says well-to-do
And truly I’m not kidding you
‘I’ll have a double brandy’
My dad said nowt and bought the round
But stored the memory safely
There’s time and tide to even up a score
There’s ninety minutes in a game
And scoring early is not the same
As winning when the ref says time’s no more
A few weeks later self same pub
The men are gathered round
And John is with them in the mix this time
My dad walks in to share a jar
And watch the horses from afar
And now’s the day when hope and history rhyme
It’s John’s turn now to get them in
He rises jovial with a grin
He’s feeling nice and dandy
‘What will it be?’ he asks my dad
“Is it a pint now that you want my lad?’
“No,’ says dad, ‘I’ll have a double brandy’
Brian Fahy
8 April 2021
Erris Poetry 