Mum

The hardest song I ever wrote
Leaves a lump in my throat
My memory showered with bright lights
Of loving days and safe dark nights

The summer came and to the fields you went
To earn some pennies to pay the rent
Your fingernails, they were black
From potatoes thrown into the sack
A pound a day you were paid
So food on our table could be laid

The hardest song I ever wrote
Leaves a lump in my throat
My memory showered with bright lights
Of loving days and safe dark nights

You never asked us for much
Just a kiss, a cuddle, a gentle touch
From the working class you were made
Steel in the fire, you were forged so tough
You somehow took the smooth with the rough

The hardest song I ever wrote
Leaves a lump in my throat
My memory showered with bright lights
Of loving days and safe dark nights

The house of council, rent was paid
With blood and sweat and the pennies you made
You'd leave the house at 5am
A cleaning job and the same again
Your smile shone like a beaming light
When you returned late at night

You were strict as you needed to be
With eleven in our family
The cricket stump would leave its mark
And prince the dog he would bark
As each of us took our turn
As to behave we had to learn

The hardest song I ever wrote
Leaves a lump in my throat
My memory showered with bright lights
Of loving days and safe dark nights

I wake every day and see your smile
Just lie in bed and think a while
How lucky we all must have been
I still see you in my dreams
Love you Mum