Fortis Green

Mum would shout and scream when dad would come home drunk When she asked him where he'd been, he'd say "Up the Clissold Arms" Chatting up some huzzy, but he didn't mean no harm Sunday morning drives, just to get away Ramsgate or Southend, it would always be a laugh Paddling by the sea, trousers rolled up to the knees Walking by the sea, full of dreams, eating ice cream Grandma's burnt her cheeks getting brown, turn her over Fortis Green, memories of days when I was young It can only be a memory. A time that now has gone There's Uncle Frank tellin' stories from the war Frightening all the kids, yet we'd heard it all before While the bombs were droppin' round, there were parties underground Aunt Lil's at the gin, while Mum's singing songs From the 40's when variety, Max Miller was going strong All the characters are gone, oh, what a blooming shame I wish that it could be like it was in the old days Sat on Auntie's knee, toasting bread in the fire-place Fortis Green, memories of days when I was young It can only be a memory. A time that now has gone Memories of Fortis Green, when I was just a lad Collecting bottle tops, threepenny bits. Fishing with my Dad Sister's in the doorway, snogging with her bloke Scared to put the cat out 'case I put him off his stroke But she wouldn't be denied, I got a shilling as a bribe I used to do my courting on an old kitchen chair The girls were all so sporting, but I only really cared for my little Katie-Sue There was nothing she wouldn't do Sunday after tea we would listen to the wireless Hancock's half-hour, Luxembourg. We'd sit for hours Fortis Green, memories of days when I was young It can only be a memory. A time that now has gone Fortis Green, memories of days when I was young Collecting bottle tops, threepenny bits. Fishing with my Dad That's it --- Fortis Green - Dave Davies