Music: Lyric Sheets: IAN DURY

Ian Dury, author of Billericay Dicky and many other songs, performed with Paul Weller in East London last weekend. His new record is called "Mr Love Pants'

Poem for Ian Dury

Good evening I'm from Essex

In case we hadn't guessed

His turn-ups looked like thrupenny bits

We'd seen him play before the hits

The Stiff Tour was the best

Good evening. I'm from Essex

In case we couldn't see

His withered arm and villain's voice

An obvious for Housewives" Choice

In Dagenham maybe

Good evening. I'm from Essex

In case it passed your noses

A raspberry ripple stole the stage

A gent from the Cortina age

Complete with dashboard roses

Good evening. I'm from Essex

In case you didn't know

Where music-hall met up with funk

Escorted home by way of punk

With minder, Spider Rowe

Good evening. I'm from Essex

In case you missed the toasts

He rocks the mic from side to side

Cos ever since Gene Vincent died

The dance halls's full of ghosts

Good evening. I'm from Essex

In case it sounds plebian

From Braintree down to Walthamstow

The blockheads and the ladies know

His given name is Ian

MARTIN NEWELL