The Vale Men they had a special Bond
a drip they discovered near the ground
Shots each working under a Dumbarton Pipe
The Angels Share and the Devils Take
Like something out of the great escape

One man still driving his Lambretta home
running on empty gas a long shift gone
He parked that bike perfectly at the gate
Then fell down at the fence paralysed
Like Steve McQueen in the great escape


Some of this no label, early draft Bottled Gold
Aged to imperfection at 6 months old
got passed around town if the truth be told
A Middleton Street fellow went blind for a day
but said it was worth it for a Great Escape


Soon her Majesty's finest were on the case
The raid password "Bismark Shandy", raised
Protocol in place ready steady pretty handy
6ft underground Quick Bury The Drink!
And upside down in that old Belfast Sink


Times got tough in this old town
Jobs got lost the source closed down
Ancient root skills were duly deployed
Tree tapped sap from the Christy Park
To fortify the hearts of the unemployed


These stories were lost In the myths of time
But before we forget, remind me again
Pass the hooch infused elderberry wine
Pass the Silver Birch Special Dream Shake
Hold on, lets try and remember The Great Escape


Then the garden got dug beyond the vegetable line
The spade went clink, Arise Sir Belfast Sink
The brother didn't think, took a quick drink
He's still alive but with a smile on his face
Cos he's now had a taste Of The Great Escape

A Bond of Brothers
On a Great Escape
The Angels Share
or The Devils Take

Ian Morris Retson
Copyright 2024