They Pulled The Plough In Godmanchester England. Poem by Gillian.E. Shaw

When Grannie and Grandpa met at school
they only had eyes for each other.
He left before he could read or write
and life was hard as she pulled the plough.

So after... Grannie married in grey
because she thought she'd go far away:
the farthest she went was the farthest she'd been
and life was hard as she pulled the plough.

Bravely, one cold Christmas Eve Grandpa,
with a hungry family of nine
to feed, poached a graceful waterbird;
and life was hard as he pulled the plough.

Later Grannie prepared the 'royal fare',
but didn't eat a mouthful 'No fear! '
though not a child went hungry that year
and life was hard as she pulled the plough.

In darkest deep midwinter; Grandpa
for a farthing would tie skates on those;
ska_______ ting way across the frozen Ouse
and life was hard as he pulled the plough.

Lord! Grannie and Grandpa disagreed!
In a rage took off 'for good! ' Went as
far as the 'pig sty' fell fast asleep...
and lives were hard as they pulled the plough.

On inquiring for 'Parish Relief'
informed they didn't qualify...how
proud they were and degraded they felt,
and life was hard as they pulled the plough.

Well truly, Grannie so loved Grandpa
lack of beasts, the soil needed tilling
took turns with the boys in the harness
and lives were hard as they pulled the plough.

For Grannie and Grandpa tried their best!
to do what they could for kith and kin,
of their flesh and bone and blood are we
and lives were hard as they pulled the plough!

For all the Woods's of Godmanchester.