friends of stanton road cemetery ilkeston the ilkeston giant 1816-1875

more gathered around samuel's knees
told of wishes and hopes and of dreams
one offered a chip
and a drink (just a sip)
and chattered like rattling keys
have you tasted a curry or pizza?
or thai food or a good pint of bitter?
sam considered this stuff
he replied (off the cuff)
that it's lovely now i can greet ya
but you see from my clothes - i've been dead
i got up (my head felt like lead)
i'm a giant you see
and between you and me
i got bored of staying in bed
if you measure - i'm seven foot...more
(the kids and adults cried cor)
my money's from those
who watched my stiff pose
as i stood in the sideshows before
o i see - said the curious crowd
so they took him around and about
showed library and hall
the co-op and all
the scala - the church and their doubts
the doubts? asked our sam when he heard
yes - we're troubled they said – and we're feared
that our old reputation
has hit degradation
as they chatted - they tugged at his beard
show me more - sam said - show me more
it's been ages - i wish i had called
you before this had happened
though i feel quite flattered
you told me you were all out of sorts
show me where you go swimming and play
victoria baths - o i say
and what about tennis
and cricket and any
walks along old heanor way?
o - the cop shop - there's paths round the side
you can pedal to stabbo' on bike
but allotments are going
no seeds more a-sowing
there's houses buildin' up far and wide
said the giant - i still really stink
i'm unwashed - and could do with a sink
we'll take him t' bogs
said a lad wi' a dog
sam accepted (no needing to think)
he scrubbed up quite nicely – quite clean
though his pallor was drab and has-been
the local beautician
made it her mission
to make him the sweetest they'd seen
the bennerley viaduct still up?
o aye said an old bloke - tut tut
it's not looking well
it's like an old shell
you can see it from school - full o' rust