The Mandolin Hangs On The Wall Poem by NIGEL SANDERS

THE MANDOLIN HANGS ON THE WALL
A ‘FOR SALE' SIGN THREAD BETWEEN THE STRINGS
JUST COLLECTING DUST IT SEEMS
FORGOTTON ARE THE SOUNDS IT BRINGS
BY MUSICIANS OF LONG TIMES PAST
A FAVOURITE IN THE HALL OF KINGS

THE MANDOLIN HAS A SPECIAL SOUND
THAT MAKES MY FEET TAP ON THE GROUND
AND IF YOU EVER COME AROUND
YOU'LL FEEL THE SAME WAY I'LL BE BOUND

IT SHOULD NOT BE AN ORNAMENT
THIS ICON OF A GENTLER AGE
UNABLE TO BE TRULY FREE
JUST LIKE ATIGER IN A CAGE
TAKE THE PLUNGE, RELEASE ITS SPIRIT
BY DIPPING IN YOUR MONTHLY WAGE

THE MANDOLIN HAS A SPECIAL SOUND
THAT MAKES MY FEET TAP ON THE GROUND
AND IF YOU EVER COME AROUND
YOU'LL FEEL THE SAME WAY I'LL BE BOUND
SO NOW YOU HAVE IT SAFELY HOME
MAKE SURE THAT BOTH SOUND HOLES ARE CLEAR
CHECK TUNERS, BRIDGE AND EVERY FRET
EVERYTHINGS READY IT WOULD APPEAR
ALL EIGHT STRINGS ARE FINELY TUNED
THE TIME TO PLAY IS GETTING NEAR

THE MANDOLIN HAS A SPECIAL SOUND
THAT MAKES MY FEET TAP ON THE GROUND
AND IF YOU EVER COME AROUND
YOU'LL FEEL THE SAME WAY I'LL BE BOUND

THE FIRST FEW NOTES COME TOGETHER
AS GENTLE NOW THE MUSIC FLOWS
THE PLAYING BECOMES EVER QUICKER
AS BOTH SKILL AND CONFIDENCE GROWS
LIKE A RIVER IT KEEPS ON FLOWING
WHERE IT WILL STOP, NOBODY KNOWS

THE MANDOLIN HAS A SPECIAL SOUND
THAT MAKES MY FEET TAP ON THE GROUND
AND IF YOU EVER COME AROUND
YOU'LL FEEL THE SAME WAY I'LL BE BOUND