VEST WE FORGET

It is a Marks and Spencer, And I purchased one of three. "By thy long shirt store and vestibule, My investment has made me free.

"The changing room doors are opened wide, And I am keen to buy; The vests all fit, the fee is low: May'st hear the merry cry."

I held them with my skinny hand, "There was a shirt," quoth he. "Hold off! unhand me, greybeard loon!" Eftsoons his hand dropt he.

I took them to the counter bar The serving girl stood still, And listened like a three years' child: The shopper hath his will.

"The vest was bought, the bus was caught, Merrily did we ride, Oxford Street and Charing Cross, And on to Leyton’s Pride.

The sun came up upon the left, Out of the sea came he! He briefly shone on Macclesfield then Went down into the sea.

"And now the Storm-blast came, And he was tyrannous and strong: He struck with his o'ertaking wings, And blew us North, where we came from.

And now there came both mist and snow And it grew wondrous cold: In Glaisdale, York, and Harrogate the winter grip took hold.

And through the shirts, the Aussie shirts, Did send a dismal sheen: Nor sign of hat nor scarfe we ken - The ice was all between.

The ice was here, the ice was there, The ice was all around: It cracked and growled, and roared and howled, Like noises in a swound!

At length I found my Marks’ vest, From Marks' bag it came; As if it had been a Christian soul, We hailed it in God's name.

It warmed the air, it warmed the feet, And round and round I knew. The ice did split with a thunder-fit; The vest had got me through!