Ten years old, a time to be bold,
Outgrown toys, now one of 'the boys',
Made the school team, it had long been a dream,
Enjoyed new breaks in the popularity stakes.
Successful in classes, with examination passes,
Won a scholarship, was set to do the college trip,
Progress was regressed when I was hospitalized for tests,
But I acquitted myself with a clean bill of health.
My folks were quick to reward the news of my scholastic award,
My first set of wheels were a part of the deal,
I was soon off riding, gave the pedals a hiding,
Still remember the thrill of my first escapade to Rhyl.
College days were stressful pap, discipline an eight inch strap,
Teaching standards heavy handed, punishment was never candid,
'Make an example' the golden rule, but I had chosen that religious school,
I'd go back and change it if I could, five wasted years with the 'Brotherhood'.
I suddenly faced an untimely end, while biking to Southport with a friend,
Hadn't gone far, a parked car, driver's door was slightly ajar,
I drew alongside, the door yawned wide, a bus approaching on the opposite side,
I kept my nerve, didn't swerve, went back and gave the driver a terrible serve.
I'd never swore at a lady before,
I was only a kid and thats not what you did,
Tears streamed from her eyes, then to my surprise,
She nodded her head, agreeing with everything I'd said.
Football clubs, a choice of two, Dad's was Reds so I was Blue,
Lots of kidding when you're winning,(sometimes heated when defeated),
Situation was never worse, than when we lost 10-4 at Spurs,
* 'Dunlop Tires' the headlines screamed, ashamed to say it was my team *.
Summertime we'd holiday, every year we went away,
Family reunions, Yorkshire Dales, then we took a look at Wales,
Had a week neat Abergele, then became a camper at Pwllheli,
Hi-di-hi, diddle-e-dee, Butlins' was the place for me.
At fifteen things were going well, a summer job at a small hotel,
Nice little town close to the sea, the break from school relief for me,
The lady owner an old family friend, good tips, plenty to spend,
Lots of new faces every week, specially at the holiday peak.
Sweet sixteen and never been, you'll know exactly what I mean,
Cannot deny, I was longing to try, had to get over being so shy,
Kept on staring at the guests,(liked the young ones the best),
Hormones were erupting, my imagination was disgusting.
Along came Mary, not contrary, knew exactly how to snare me,
Saturday night at the Floral Hall, swinging big band, having a ball,
Body language, inviting glances, soon had me fancying my chances,
molded together thighs entwined, oh what was racing through my mind.
Later as things came to pass, naturally with this Durham lass,
She was full of smiles and womanly wiles,(and more mature than me by miles),
She became the number one, the very first etch mark on my gun,
Completely whetted my awareness of the qualities of the gender of fairness,.
This absolute landmark celebration, coincided with completion of my education,
Employment bound, looked around, jobs vacancies were thin on the ground,
An apprenticeship through nepotism, really it was dad's decision,
Skills to learn, a chance to earn, fortune took a welcome turn.
Dance halls were choc-a-block when Haley rocked us round the clock,
Elvis' pelvis gyrated well, breaking hearts at the Heartbreak Hotel,
Guitars ruled, hot was cool, everyone dug rock'n'roll,
Whole new craze, in a daze, music changed old-fashioned ways.
Teenage me, single and free, had had a taste of ecstacy,
Tried my best to be best dressed, wanting to make the girls impressed,
The latest gear, Italian suits, fashion shirts and Chelsea boots,
Oh leggy lasses with their bouffant hair, underskirts and savoir-faire.
Early days of the Liverpool Beat, kids began voting with their feet,
Wall to wall in coffee bars, wanna-be's with cheap guitars,
Untapped talent to the fore, opportunities galore,
Life changed rapidly, never again, would anything ever be the same again.
* Note referring to Dunlop Tires. When Everton lost to Spurs 10-4 at White Heart Lane, their goalkeeper was Albert Dunlop hence the play on words, Dunlop Tires-Dunlop Tyres.*
