Friday, 26 November 2021

THE DOORBELL RINGS

 

The doorbell rings to announce

Arrivals from across the miles

And the spirit of the season

Is visible in the Christmas smiles

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS

 

Throughout this seasonal time

Blessings come to us each day

The trick is to recognise them

So as not to turn them away

WHEN THE CAROLLERS SING

 

When the carollers sing

Their Christmas verses

Open up your hearts

And open up your purses

THE THING THAT I ENJOY THE MOST

The thing that I enjoy the most

When Christmas descends

Isn’t giving and receiving gifts

It’s seeing my family and friends

Because when it comes down to it

That’s what counts in the end

THERE IS KNOWLEDGE I NEED TO KNOW # 12

 

There is knowledge I need to know

And I really need to know it soon

Such as how the pipers can tell

When their bagpipes are out of tune

ARE YOU WEARING A THISTLE?

Are you wearing a thistle?

Scotland’s floral emblem

A prickly little symbol

Displayed out of patriotism

SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) – STAVE 5 – THE END OF IT – Verses 3 to 5

 

A POEM by Paul Curtis, BASED ON THE STORY by

Charles Dickens “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

 

VERSE 3 – CALLING ON A NEPHEW

 


In the afternoon he turned his steps in another direction

Towards his nephew's house to accept his invitation

He passed the door a dozen times before his visit

When he found the courage he made a dash at it

He asked the girl “Is your master at home, my dear?”

“Yes, sir.” She replied in a voice polite and clear

“Where is he, my love?” He said with some finesse.

“He's in the dining-room, along with my mistress

I'll show you up-stairs, if you please.” The girl said

“Thank you. He knows me, he’s my nephew Fred”

Scrooge said, his hand already on the dining-room lock.

“I'll go in here, my dear.” He entered without a knock

He sidled his face in, round the door silent and supple

Fred and his young wife were looking at the laden table

The table was spread in great array for the festivities

And the young housekeeper doubtful about her abilities

“Fred!” said Ebeneezer Scrooge a little fainthearted.

Dear heart alive, how his niece by marriage started.

Scrooge forgot about her sitting in the quiet corner

With footstool, or he would not have startled her

“Why bless my soul!” cried Fred, “Who's that there?”

“It's I. Your Uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner.

Does the invitation hold? Will you let me in, Fred?”

“Let you in? I couldn’t be happier,” the nephew said 

When uncle and wife were introduced Scrooge hesitated

And said “May god forgive me for the years I’ve wasted”

Let him in indeed Fred could not have been happier

He was at home nothing could have been heartier

Scrooge saw that his niece looked just the same.

So did Topper and the plump sister when they came

There was wonderful happiness and much partying.

But he was early at his counting house next morning.


 

VERSE 4 – BACK TO THE COUNTING HOUSE


 

Oh he was early there. If he could only be there first

And catch Bob Cratchit come late! And see him cursed

That was the thing Scrooge had set his heart upon

And so he did and he sat and saw nine o’clock gone

The clock struck nine. No Bob. A quarter past. No Bob.

It was undoubtedly so that he was tardy for his job

He was full eighteen minutes behind his usual time

Bob knew that to Scrooge it was a cardinal crime

Bob’s hat was off even before he opened the door

His comforter too was taken off his neck before

Scrooge sat with his door wide open, so he might see

As Bob Cratchit crept in toward his desk silently

He was on his stool in a jiffy and picked up his pen

An accustomed voice growled “What time is this then?”

“What do you mean by coming here this time of day?”

Bob’s heart sank as he thought he was about to pay

“I am behind my time,” said Bob “I'm very sorry, sir”

“You are” observed Scrooge. “Yes. I think you are.

Step this way, if you please Mr. Cratchit” he said

“It's only once a year, sir, It shall not be repeated.

I was making rather merry yesterday, sir.” he pleaded

“Now, I'll tell you what, my friend,” Scrooge said

“I am not going to stand this sort of thing anymore”

He continued, leaping from his stool “And therefore,”

Then he dug Bob in the arm with his finger quite firmly

And said “And therefore I am about to raise your salary.”

Bob trembled, and thought about calling a constable

Then Scrooge smiled and he felt more uncomfortable

“A merry Christmas, Bob,” He smiled and laughed again

He spoke with an earnestness that could not be mistaken

“A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, I fear”

He continued “Than I have given you for many a year.

I'll raise your salary, and assist your struggling family

I am in earnest Bob and I mean to help you honestly

And we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon,

Over a Christmas bowl in the Saracens Head saloon

Make up the fires, and buy another coalscuttle Bob

Before you dot another I, cross another t or any job!”


 

VERSE 5 – THE END OF IT

 


He was better than his word. He did it all and more rather

And to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father.

He became as good a friend, and master, and man

As anyone in any city, town, borough or world can

Some people laughed to see the great alteration in him,

But Scrooge let them laugh, and he little heeded them

He had no further intercourse with any sort of Spirit

It was said if any man alive had the knowledge of it

That scrooge knew very well how to keep Christmas

And may that always be truly said of us, and all of us!

Now our story of Ebeneezer Scrooge’s redemption is done

And as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!