The Cornishman

by

Gary Trevose

Hassled and cheated since records began.
Taxed to the hilt by the Government Can.
Denied simple pleasures by the rest of the race.
Forced to retire in his own saving grace.
Robbed by the thief on yesterday's shore.
Raped by the tourist who comes back for more.
Forced by his hunger to lure ships on the rocks.
Sacked by the Spanish and burned on the docks.
His living has never been easy, that's true;
Fish, tin and copper have always pulled through.
And in spite of the fact that his future looks black,
Like the tide on the beach he will keep coming back.
Hunger and poverty still thrives today,
But there is summer trade and now china clay.
The rest of the land would take all if they could
Off this Man of the West, the most misunderstood.
Those who don't know him may find him quite quaint;
They might think him simple; but simple he ain't!
It is never that simple to live hand to mouth,
And sail to the sea when return is in doubt;
And to shelter in caves, and to sleep on the floor;
And to toil on the farm when the harvest is poor.
Again and again there's a threat in his midst
But by stealth and attrition he'll always exist.
What Spain couildn't fight for is now taken by "right"...
The boats and the fish and the industry's might.
The tin and the copper have gone, it's a fact;
But if you don't work for someone you cannot be sacked.
And despite all the hardship he knows what is best.
Ask the man if he's proud to be Cornish...
"Oh Yes!"

NEXT?
Why don't you look at My Soon To Be Life Pt. II
by: Angela Bean
from: Stuarts Draft, VA, US

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