Come Back Dad (Again)

Come Back Dad

And hide “British History For Boys”

Underneath my pillow while I’m asleep,

As a surprise coming home present;

Come Back Dad

And bring home

Mars Bars and eucalyptus sweets

On Thursday pay nights

For our weekly treat;

Come Back Dad

And tap the beer barrel

At 5a.m. on Christmas Day morning,

Exclaiming: “First one of the day!”


Come Back Dad

And put that “How to play Football” book

Under the tree

So I could learn to play just like you.

Come Back Dad

And make your own telly for the cup final again,

But this time it won’t blow up

Before our astonished faces;

Come back Dad,

And watch Remembrance Day

On a brand new bought telly,

And remember your fallen comrades,

With a tear in your eye;

Come Back Dad


And dig the spuds in on a bird-song Good Friday,

Out in the garden with your memories,

And then lead the sing-song round the Wheatsheaf.

Come Back Dad


And sing “Little Nell” with mum again


And let’s hear “The Sheikh of Araby” again,

Who else would have Christmas boots on kicking up the dust?


Come Back Dad

And sit me on your knee after the pub again,

And tell me about fighting the Japanese in the jungle,

Hearing their long night siren call:

“Come on Tommy. Look over here Tommy.”

Come Back Dad

And tell me one more time about Dixie Dean and Lawton,

And Matthews, Mortensen and Finney

And how much better they are than today’s lot.

Come Back Dad

And stub out your last fag of the day again

And put it behind your ear together with your pencil,

Senior Service ship-shape fashion for the morning;

Come Back Dad

And study the pools coupon by the firelight again,

While I read “Roy of the Rovers”

And dream of playing for England;

Come Back Dad

And pass the ball to me for just one more time.

Just like you do,

Every day,

And I'll pass it back to you,

On every Christmas Day,

At 5 a.m.,

First one of the day.

My brother, Keith, and me, bleary-eyed, were once greeted by our dad tapping the barrel at 5 o’clock on Christmas Day morning with a jaunty: ‘First one of the day!’