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Johnny Collins
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The Centurion
I was born in 1900
Victoria was queen
The first of seven children
Only three made sweet sixteen
it was hard, but it was happy
it was roses round the door
til we all saluted father,
as he went off to the war
I was teaboy in the factory
the day the news arrived
making mother one more widow,
but together we survived.
Now the century's near over,
I've watched it wax and wain,
and as I recall it, all in all, it's a life I'd live again.
At eighteen I was courting
Mary filled my heart with pride
twenty saw us married
stepping out there side by side
The work was never easy,
but we did it day by day,
saving half pennies and farthings
til we ten pounds poured away
the slump took jobs and savings
and I had a lot of time
So I learned the old mouth organ,
'Buddy, can you spare a dime'
Now the century's near over,
I've watched it wax and wain,
and as I recall it, all in all, it's a life I'd live again.
With two sons faster growing
1925, Mary wanted so a daughter,
but her health it didn't thrive
She died that distant summer,
but her daughter made it through
Until the influenza took her,
at the age of two.
In the thirties I was busy,
like all other folk deprived,
picking coal from up the slag keep,
my two sons and I survived.
Now the century's near over,
I've watched it wax and wain,
and as I recall it, all in all, it's a life I'd live again.
thirty six and I met Lucy,
we were married in the spring.
The boys were new apprenticed
and we didn't fear a thing.
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It was hard, but it was happy
it was roses round the door
til we both saluted my son,
as he went off to the war.
And I lost one in the navy,
convoy in the mead,
once again for king and country,
our name numbered with the dead.
Now the century's near over,
I've watched it wax and wain,
and as I recall it, all in all, it's a life I'd live again.
The other lad was lucky,
and in 1945
me and Lucy lit a candle
giving thanks he was alive
I turned fifty then and wondered
what the future held in store
I'd work onto the pension,
if we all avoided war
Soon my son walked down the isle
with a sweet girl as his bride
and she made me think of Mary,
as she stood there by his side.
Now the century's near over,
I've watched it wax and wain,
and as I recall it, all in all, it's a life I'd live again.
I retired in the sixties,
to the bungalow downtown
did the gardening with Lucy
til the years just wore her down
I lost her then with sorrow,
but remember her with joy,
and I'll take her flowers tomorrow
when I go there with the boy,
for he is a fine great grandson
wears his cap the wrong way around.
And what I bought with a farthing
seems to cost this kid a pound.
And he asks me, have I really
really lived a century
And I wink and whisper, nearly,
and that's good enough for me.
I was born in 1900
Victoria was queen
The first of seven children
Only three made sweet sixteen
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