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Poetry Showcase [Other] Moderators for this section: Weaver, ochsterboxter, CadenzRime, Lingua Pura, ososment, carolynrn, Inker

If Only Billy Pigg

Outline: A comment (Imaginary) from the point of view of a hill farmer from the North East at the outbreak of foot and mouth in 2002.
Why: fun
Review: any
IF ONLY BILLY PIGG



If only Billy Pigg were here
he'd play us tunes to hide our fear
and mask the heartache of this joyless day

When all our labours through the years
add up to nought and just bring tears
to eyes that see our life's work torn away

Why did we work hard all these years
was it just to see our loved ones tears
when all our hopes and dreams burn on the pyre ?

This land we farmed was kept in trust
two generation's work now lost
Indifference being all they brought to the task

They cannot know, could not surmise
the hurt that hides aback our eyes
can never know the feelings behind the mask

If only Billy Pigg were here
he'd play us tunes to mask our fear
but Billy's gone now, nigh on fifty year

There's none now left to bring us cheer
a joyful tune, a pint of beer
but we'll get by... If only Billy Pigg were here.
Author Explanation: Ok, for all the Southerners and everybody else who doesn't live in the North East of England... Billy Pigg was an itinerant musician who lived in Northumbria and used to walk around the area playing his tunes at all the hill farms for a pint, a plate of food or somewhere to sleep. Some of his work is available through Topic Rec's. There is no doubt in my mind that he was an unsung musical genius. Sadly, most Southerners have never heard of him.
MummyPenguin
[Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:00 pm]
Hi Chris
What a lovely tribute to an unsung (but singing) hero. And to those who work hard all their lives without ever feeling that they have received any recognition.

I like the rhythmic format of this poem very much so couldn't help wondering if you had a piece of music in mind when you wrote it - for example a folk tune from the North East?

MP
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Chris Ripple
[Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:29 pm]
No, not really. I was working on my market stall (as was) when I wrote it. I probably had a c.d. going at the time but nothing specific. I like 'folk' music and have a few friends ooop north east so I was probably thinking of them but they're rock muso's rather than folk muso's so I don't really know. But if Kathryn Tickell wanted to do a Northumbrian pipe tune to the words I'd definitely be up for that...
I think it's a great shame that our 'English' musical culture is left languishing whereas the Scots, Irish and Welsh actually revere theirs, (rightfully) because there is so much good stuff from England and people don't know about it. (I spent 30 years in the music biz' starting in late 1970 as a drum roadie, and have never really left it). I'm actually happy with this one 'cos it says what I meant it to say, so thanks for the positive review.
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maipenrai
[Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:07 pm]
Loved this mate, well written ,it drags the reader in , never heard of Billy Pigg but I suppose there were many like him at one time.

got to agree 100per cent with you on the loss , no not loss but the lack of knowledge about English Music, seems the music is just one part of what we are in danger of losing, just a small part of an identity.

used to be a big folk scene where I live , it's not dead but dying Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

Bernie
_________________
I know that you have suffered lad
but suffer this a while
whatever makes a soldier cry
will make a killer smile

L. Cohen
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Chris Ripple
[Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:42 pm]
Thanx for the kind words. I agree wholeheartedly with everything you wrote, but until English history is brought back into the English school curriculum we have little chance of saving anything worthwhile... even folksongs. Screw Kum By Ya, I wanna hear the kids sing Matty Groves...
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Logicus tracticus
[Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:22 pm]
Reminded me of Bob Cooper Would not say the folk scene is dying, the Inter-Net will keep some of it alive, dare say some where you will find some peasant in outer mongolia has uploaded a translated song or two....

Would also presume a couple of Billy pigs tunes ripped amd included into more modern styles..

Liked the work chris, would have been nice to see different words than mask, (seems over used)
"Dissipate heartache of this joyless day"
might even have used "aback our eyes" so two behinds don't appears to crowd each other....
_________________
read once for meter, twice for rhythm
thrice for rhyme, then again for
leisure or measure of pleasure;
you: parasites of no consequence:
Larkin
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Chris Ripple
[Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:40 pm]
Cheers for that. I like 'aback' but I'm gonna keep mask as I wanted to keep the thing as a complete thought as if someone just thought of the words in their head as they viewed the destruction of their way of life and I'm not sure they would have used 'dissipate' at that moment in time.
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Chris Ripple
[Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:00 pm]
Ok, a week spent thinking about it and I've taken Logi's suggestion and altered it. 'aback' is now in, and you know what ? I think it does make a difference. Cheers mate.
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