Good Manners Cost Nothing Poem by Georgina Murray

There are many a thing, about being a lad,
That I remember still to this day.
But 'ave good manners, they cost you nothing,
Is what me ole grandpa would say.

I were given a feather, day after me birthday,
By two lasses whilst out and about.
I told me grandpa, who went after them lasses,
And shouted, “Si thee! Good manners cost nowt! ”

I can still smell the yeast, from over t'brewery,
And the dray men hitting our Fred.
He'd been throwing stones and shouting nasty-
“Them uns need manners! ” they said.

Or when rag and bone man gave his nag the boot
When she neighed she could pull no more.
Quick as a flash, our Ma ran o'er cobbles,
“Have you some manners! ” she roared.

I remember in winter, racing Tim t'privvy,
Hearing shouting in't ginnel behind-
An ole drunk from the ale house, grabbing a lassie,
“Get you some manners! ' she whined.

And I'll remember these things I picture,
Right up to me very last breath-
But 'aving good manners, which cost us nothing,
Is the thing I'll hold til me death.