Another chance

Eric Morecambe statue, Morecambe, Lancashire

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Chance saw me born an Englishman

at no time was I consulted

regarding place or country kith or kin

glimpsed not a glimpse of any plan

just born into the Lancashire clan.

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I would like to have been an Arab

adventurous bold and free

wearing romantic flowing robes

riding the crests of desert sands

the leader of a Bedouin band.

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Or possibly an Eskimo

dressed in thick warm reindeer furs

skimming my fast and sleek kayak

through the melting cold ice packs

the hunter of my Inuit tribe.

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Or perhaps even Japanese

they're small but very clever

brought up to eat with chopsticks

walk the streets in a business suit

manager of a Mitsubishi plant.

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But I was born an Englishman

now I no longer feel insulted

it's really not been all that bad

for Arab, Eskimo and Japanese sad

they'd not been born...a Lancashire lad!

Meself as a Lancashire lad

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Dennis Crompton © 1995