Lyric Sheets

The Reading Festival

(with apologies to Edward

Thomas)

Yes I remember Reading

The festival, because one year

Of some excess, I threw up there

Unwantedly. It was the beer.

The rain poured. Someone lost a

goat.

John Peel came and took the stage

Soaked in lager, dodging cans

But safely now inside a cage.

And weirdos, wallies, nurds - all

drunk

With cider, medium-sweet and

dry

No whit less ill and only there

With polythene to keep them dry.

And for that day Black Sabbath

played

Close by and watched by men in

Leather jackets, soiled shirts

And acres of patched denim.

(PS - You'll never find Chris Bonington

At Castle Donington

But you may find Chris Spedding

At Reading)

Martin Newell's latest book, 'Under Milk Float', is available from Essex University Literature Dept, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ. Price pounds 4, cheques payable to The Essex Festival.