Nuts in May: memories of care-free days

urn:iso:std:iso:639:ed-3:eng

18-20

text excerpt

[Verbena Daphne Brighton started school in 1920, at five years old]

When we moved into Standard 2 and the Big room life was different […]

[…]

The singing lessons always passed too quickly, as the seasons came round we were taught songs appropriate to that time. 

To have the children divided into three lots and singing a round was a great treat, and one particularly stays in my mind:-

If I were a cobbler I’d make it my pride

The best of all cobblers to be

If I were a tinker, no tinker beside

Should mend an old kettle like me. 

But whether a tinker, a cobbler or Lord,

Whatever my portion may be. 

In school I would aim

For the top of the class,

In life for the top of the tree.

Let who will be second

The first I’m determined to be. 

Those who couldn’t sing either mimed or made a noise like the droning of bees, but most of it was deadened by the strumming on the piano, while the head mistress stood on her toes peering over the top of the upright instrument, as there were always a few who would find something else to do beside the work in hand. 

excerpt from 'Nuts in May: memories of care-free days' pp. 18-20 (210 words)

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