h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I remember with much happiness that as a child we had an very old book of poems that had some from Mr. Kippling and Longfellow and Many mny others that I have seen talked of from time to time in my life. I liked to hear them read and many I had no understanding of but the way the words came was like a song or a drum, I cannot describe the impression. I still have this book and read some to my children but they had no enjoyment from it so it sits dusty and torn waiting for anothers eyes.
JR

My favourite poet is Rudyard Kipling, and there is an extract from problem his best known poem on my home page. However he wrote many others and the rythmn of his verse matches the marching of the soldiers he wrote about. Because of that it was easy to draw my children into his verses.

This was one of their favourites - the Smugglers Song

IF you wake at midnight, and hear a horse's feet,
Don't go drawing back the blind, or looking in the street,
Them that ask no questions isn't told a lie.
Watch the wall my darling while the Gentlemen go by.

Five and twenty ponies,
Trotting through the dark -
Brandy for the Parson, 'Baccy for the Clerk.
Laces for a lady; letters for a spy,
Watch the wall my darling while the Gentlemen go by!

I remember singing that at junior school during music lessons!

I never realised it was originally a poem

M'Kay,
That is a wonderful poem and is what I was in meaning by drums and dance. The words are such.
Thanyou I will write it down it has meanings.
JR

There is more to it, but I've been pulled in the past for posting large ammounts of verse. ~ Copyright issues.

The next verse is similar to :

Running round the wood stack if you chance to find
Little barrels, roped and tarred, all full of brandy-wine,
Don't you shout to come and look, nor use 'em for your play.
Just put the brushwood back again, and they'll be gone next day!

(My memory isn't what it used to be.)