The History of Liverpool
In Verse
2012 © Caroline Doyle
Published by Rainbow Publishing
Smashwords Edition
Welcome To Liverpool
Welcome to our mighty city,
The people you’ll find are very witty,
As they go about their work and play,
As they do most every day.
It’s always busy on the street,
The sense of community can’t be beat,
It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor,
Mostly they’ve been there before.
It doesn’t matter if you’re white or black,
You’ll never receive any flack,
Or if you are straight or gay,
You will be welcomed every day.
So come and visit Liverpool,
Come and stay, don’t be a fool,
You’ll find something that is for you,
Not one day will you be blue.
The Founding of Liverpool
For the river the pool was founded,
By the king whose name was John,
For our armies, off to Ireland,
A land in which we didn’t belong.
On this site a village was established,
To feed this hungry crowd,
If they had all been out and drinking,
You can bet that they were loud.
Only seven streets then existed,
The people there could be free,
New people came seeking their fortune,
For it was the place to be.
Over time a town developed,
Getting bigger every day,
Never would this towns inhabitants,
Forget from where their history lay.
So from such humble beginning,
A mighty city came to be,
A place of fame and fortune,
Where you can still be free.
Picton Clock
It was a sign of such devotion,
A sign of one mans deep emotion,
Picton was this gentleman's name,
Without his wife, life weren't the same,
He decided to build a tower,
For he was a man with lots of power,
In memory of his beloved wife,
Who never caused him a day of strife.
So in the middle of Wavertree,
Built on land, that then was free,
He built a tower with a clock.
Each stone did carefully interlock.
It was placed where all could see,
Exactly where it was meant to be,
A present to where this man did live,
He was happy, it to give.
It’s still standing there strong today,
So if you pass it on your way,
Take time to think of one mans love,
He might be watching you from above.
Wavertree Lock Up
Built in Wavertree to keep the peace,
When drinking time was due to cease,
As the drunkard, homeward rolled,
The threat of prison kept him controlled.
The Roundhouse is this buildings name,
It is octagonal just the same,
Built upon the village green,
Where, by all, it could be seen.
Many men a night did stay,
For his drunkenness he had to pay,
Or if he dared to beat his wife,
He would suffer a night of strife.
It slowly fell into disrepair,
People then would stop and stare,
Wondering why it still did stand,
This little building once so grand.
The owners then did step in,
To demolish it would be a sin,
It was repaired for all to see,
It had gained its place in history.
Football
This city’s divide into red and blue,
To this city both teams are true,
Eleven men on each field do play,
Most times on a Saturday.
Whether Goodison or Anfield ,
Mighty profits both teams do yield,
Supporters up there in the stand,
If they win, life will be grand.
Everton are the mighty Blues,
For the cup they do pursue,
Liverpool is the other team,
They are better than they might seem.
Whether you are blue or red,
Each week your hunger will be fed,
Your teams out there upon the pitch,
You feel your life has been enriched.
The Mersey Ferry
Over the river, to and fro,
The ferry daily does always go,
River water, rough or calm,
It is always in demand.
From Liverpool to Birkenhead,
Over the river it does head,
Carrying commuters to their work,
Never does the ferry shirk.
A ferry has plied from the earliest time,
And each journey has been sublime,
Whether on business or just for fun,
It continues, as it’s always done.
Passengers come from far afield,
Their enjoyment is not concealed,
To be on board this ferry boat,
They are happy to be afloat.
To lose it would sure be a shame,
The river would never be the same,
It’s part of Liverpool’s history,
The reason why is no mystery.
The Beatles
Four lads one day a band did form,
In the Cavern they did perform,
As they started out in the game,
Never did they guess their fame.
The Beatles was this bands name,
Playing music, was to them a game,
They loved to play rock and roll,
They came first in the weekly poll.
Paul and Ringo, George and John,
To Liverpool they do belong,
For this was where they went to school,
Probably feeling the teachers rule.
Girls were flocking all around,
They loved to listen to the sound,
The old folks thought that they were loud,
As these boys played to the crowd.
But they would go down in history,
Part of Liverpool’s great story,
Listened to by young and old,
Even when the band did fold.
These boys went their separate ways,
Still receiving their Beatles pay,
They’d always recall this part of life,
Even if for some it had caused strife.
In the shops today, their records sell,
Each day they are selling well,
Their music is loved by all who hear,
Matthew Street they’ll visit every year.
These boys fame will never die,
That they’ve got talent you can’t deny,
Liverpool is proud of these four sons,
The hearts of the locals, they have won.
The Docks
Spread for miles along the shore.
They gave work to all the poor,
Giving boys apprenticeships,
Sure to suffer no hardships.
Built for trade from near and far,
Liverpool Docks were the star,
How many people passed through here?
As to a new life they did steer.
Mighty liners to tiny boat,
Anything that was afloat,
Searching for some passing trade,
The river gave a good parade.
The days of cotton trading are past,
How could they have gone so fast?
And emigration is by plane,
Has this world gone insane?
Now these docks are just a sight,
Shipping now has taken flight,
To other larger shipping ports,
The docks lives have been stopped short.