COUNTRY BUS
             -----------
            Jake Thackray
              1939-2002

        Country bus, North Country bus
        Clumsy and cumbersome, rumbustious.
        Country bus, North Country bus
        Though you're a slow-coach
        You're okay for us.

        Though your cargo is confusion --
        Sheep-men and cow-girls and 
          chickens galore at the back.
        There's no need to hurry
        We couldn't care less what the time may be.
        And there's no call to worry
        If you smell a bit, so do we! ....

        Virolous ... Malodorous! ...

        Country bus, North Country bus
        Rollicking, frolicking, uproarious.
        Country bus, North Country bus
        You're rusty and you're dusty 
        But you're okay for us.

        Though your seats are rather Spartan ...
        We've got the springs in our backsides 
          to ride out your bounce.
        Though you may stumble
        After the dance on a Sunday night
        Back-seat lovers don't grumble
        They seem to manage all right! ...

        Amorous ...  Scandalous! ...

        Country bus, North Country bus
        Lusty and rustic and impetuous.
        Country bus, North Country bus
        Bog-trotting bumpkin
        You're okay for us.

        Though your progress is uncertain --
        Specially at night when the "Public"
        Has closed its doors.
        You turn to dodder
        Staggering home from the Beau Hotel.
        We, we never bother
        'Coz we've got the staggers as well ...

        Glorious ... Notorious! ...

        Country bus, North Country bus
        Grunting and chuntering, cantankerous.
        Country bus, North Country bus
        But no other bus would be 
          good enough for us.

        Through the wild, the cruel winter --
        You get the cold in your eyes
          and the snow up your nose.
        But sooner or later
        You will turn up in the Village square
        With daffodils in your gaiters
          and pussy-willow in your hair.

        Wait for us -- wait for us!
        Country bus ....

               --oOo--  

Pete Turk   <Pete@ragtag.demon.co.uk> ICQ# 11981084
RFA President and Moonshadow
--
May your doorstep ever be dirty.
-- Romany blessing