<u>Distant View of a Provincial Town</u>
Beside those spires so spick and span
Against an unencumbered sky
The old Great Western Railway ran
When someone different was I.
St. Aidan's with the prickly nobs
And iron spikes and coloured tiles ---
Where Auntie Maud devoutly bobs
In those enriched vermilion aisles:
St. George's where the mattins bell
But rarely drowned the trams for prayer ---
No Popish sight or sound or smell
Disturbed that gas-invaded air:
St. Mary's where the Rector preached
In such a jolly friendly way
On cricket, football, things that reached
The simple life of every day:
And that United Benefice
With entrance permanently locked, ---
How Gothic, grey and sad it is
Since Mr. Grogley was unfrocked!
The old Great Western Railway shakes
The old Great Western Railway spins ---
The old Great Western Railway makes
Me very sorry for my sins.
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