Things ma da telt me
As he sat, bare chested, sporting several tattoos,
he says, never get a tattoo, yer too easily identified
Now this was in the 70s, long before the internet
and mobile phones wi cameras-they wurnae here yet
I suppose he was picked from an id parade
for some GBH that he solemnly declared
wisnae him; the Andy and Flo tattoos gave him away,
I mean, who puts that oan their airms? Although I didnae say
that tae his face, cos I loved ma da, and he’d’ve slappped ma face
Another quip from him wis, if yer lucky, you’ll only marry once;
didnae stop him fae hiving his flings on the side, wi other burds
He was a bit of a Lothario, if the truth be told;
I’da called him a bastard if I had been so bold,
but he wis ma da, and he did his best
tae bring home the bacon, when he wisnae pissed.
Only a lad when he met ma maw, married too young;
they didnae hiv time tae huv any fun
So she stayed at home wi the three weans,
while he’s at the pub, playing gambling games
Thursday nights were the worst at home-
french toast and porridge to fill the hole
that should’ve been filled wi decent food,
but naw, he had tae prove he wis king ae the hood
As we drove to the hospital for the last time,
he told me I was a good driver, I was doing fine
I was there as he took his final breath;
after fifteen years I can still see the bed
where he lay pain free, and asleep,
as I asked God his soul to keep
Keep me a seat da, beside you and ma maw,
ma grannies and everyone else that I know
in the place where no one cries or feels pain;
one day we will all be together again