Uploaded October 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
SEVENTEENTH – CENTENARY
By P B Taylor
I
Under intellectual strictness of an aged Victorian life
Born to the frail charm of east end dreary London
Raised then on Glaswegian roughness equal strife
Well invoked a reason for that election you rightly won
In earlier times you were called the “Red Clyde-sider”
Suffering harsh hardship and boldly making sacrifices
That characteristic Celtic fiery passion the old campaigner
Dynamic figure mesmerizing clever political devices
I heard you speak on my first visit to the Lords
From quiet celibacy arose sparkles of interest jocularity
Expressing yourself in clever subtle Scottish words
The theme of too many slums and too much poverty
By ninety that venerable age of political independence
You had reached that well-deserved pinnacle of eminence
II
Labelled as one of the founding fathers of socialism
Snorting at the description of elder statesman
Thought once a potential premier in the parliament chasm
United in lifespan as a member of the labour band
And still today the gaping canyon of class division
So much insecurity which you are so keenly aware
Down experiences of poverty unemployment prison
Fervently stating wealth distribution should now be fair
One of our older brethren expressing yourself vigorously
Holding detachable approaches in the political flight
Also attending the misunderstood Lords regularly
Joining that mature fund of held wisdom and foresight
The greatest speaker the party ever held in possession
Exhibiting the most important quality of all compassion
MS Harrogate September 1973
SEVENTEENTH – CENTENARY
By P B Taylor
I
Under intellectual strictness of an aged Victorian life
Born to the frail charm of east end dreary London
Raised then on Glaswegian roughness equal strife
Well invoked a reason for that election you rightly won
In earlier times you were called the “Red Clyde-sider”
Suffering harsh hardship and boldly making sacrifices
That characteristic Celtic fiery passion the old campaigner
Dynamic figure mesmerizing clever political devices
I heard you speak on my first visit to the Lords
From quiet celibacy arose sparkles of interest jocularity
Expressing yourself in clever subtle Scottish words
The theme of too many slums and too much poverty
By ninety that venerable age of political independence
You had reached that well-deserved pinnacle of eminence
II
Labelled as one of the founding fathers of socialism
Snorting at the description of elder statesman
Thought once a potential premier in the parliament chasm
United in lifespan as a member of the labour band
And still today the gaping canyon of class division
So much insecurity which you are so keenly aware
Down experiences of poverty unemployment prison
Fervently stating wealth distribution should now be fair
One of our older brethren expressing yourself vigorously
Holding detachable approaches in the political flight
Also attending the misunderstood Lords regularly
Joining that mature fund of held wisdom and foresight
The greatest speaker the party ever held in possession
Exhibiting the most important quality of all compassion
MS Harrogate September 1973
