The Irish were not welcome here
But they came here in droves
Driven out by famine
Or just working on the roads
Poverty in Paddy’s land
Drove them out from home
They are settled now in millions
Diaspora alone
The black man was not welcome here
He wasn’t one of us
Though Windrush did invite them
To drive us on the bus
They are settled now in millions
Their children all true Brits
UK is multicultural
A richness now exists
The dark skinned folk from overseas
They are not welcome here
Creeping in on little boats
Driven away by fear
We see them as a problem
Don’t really want to know
Now a cruel government
Will try a legal blow
Isn’t it time we changed our tune
And learned to open arms
Get to know who’s coming here
Knowledge removes alarms
Hear the story they might tell
Join it to our own
Bring in the wealth of others
To come and share our home
Brian Fahy
11 March 2023
Erris Poetry 