Tempus Fugit
(with apologies)
There's an empty space on the mantelpiece this year
No ode set to metre Gilbertian
No Latin text to keep us perplexed
Or picture of vintage uncertain
But will we forget you RHC ?
I doubt it, no not for a minute
We've simply to pick up our favourite County
And your spirit lives on there within it
Whilst way up aloft may the fire burn bright
There'll be chuffing and whistling melodious
With good coal and fair draught, amidst your old friends
In a gathering place quite commodious
Be it Burrell or Brough there was not time enough
To learn from you all you would teach
Your greeting 'Dear Boy' promised mutual joy
At the technical sermon you'd preach
So adieu old friend now that you've reached the end
Or maybe just the beginning
With the Great Engineer your time should be fair
R.I.P. RHC, R.I.P.
Christmas 1999