Come - See The Angel Poem by Joyce Hemsley

Sunderland is an old-fashioned city
By the side of a crystal sea.
The folk are so kind and friendly
To my heart they hold the key.

I'm not a northerner born and bred
From the southern coast I hail.
But Sunderland means much more
to me, than I can really tell.

Historians write of St. Peters
And the life of our Venerable Bede
His memory lives in the minds of men
He is honoured with each word and deed.

A bridge made of steel spans the river
And is seen from both far and wide -
Such a clever feat of engineering skill
Which adds much to the City's pride.

We have seen the diminishing coalmines
Our shipyards lose glory and fame;
But the motor giant is flourishing still.
'Nissan' is the Company's name.

Sunderland gained University status
And young people are learning fast;
With an up-dated Museum and Library
Chances for study are vast.

The future looks rosy, they tell us
With an extended Metro on site
New shops and modern-style waterfront
Leisure Centre and Stadium of Light.

The football team climb mountains
Because hope is theirs as they play
With new drive and rekindled ambition
We'll support them both home and away.

There is one down-side to the city
Unemployment seems to be rife!
'Plus' signs outweigh those minuses
So 'away' with trouble and strife.

And let's drink to this Tyne & Wear City
See the 'Angel' by the light of the moon.
Love will beam down from a northern sky
And voices will sing a glorious tune.