Football Poets

Ballad of a Liverpool Childhood

¶ 1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 Beneath the sky a thousand stars
Bright shining like a sun
I rubbed my eyes but there they stood
Heroes every one
The skies of heaven opened up
The Angels all so grand
They called me hither and so I stepped
Onto that hallowed ground

¶ 2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 From Walton Breck down Anfield Road
Their numbers grew and grew
Outside the Kemlyn stood a man
His face well loved I knew
From near and far the pilgrims came
Their flag’s all flying free
Their joyful songs filled up the air
Along the roads they streamed

¶ 3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 Beneath the gates we walked on through
The blue skies fused with red
My heart beat fast my soul was thrilled
The sights with love they led
My dreams born on the breath of God
I prayed He’d hear each one
With silver kites they rose on high
Shone brightly then were gone

¶ 4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 Just like a ship tossed on the waves
Her search for land in vain
Her anchors have no resting place
Put out to sea again
So I have wandered in my dreams
And found myself alone
A million faces passed before
But none could guide me home

¶ 5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 Until a voice spoke in my ear
Whispered mysteriously
“Let fears subside and take the road
Go where your heart will lead”
The stranger’s tones were new to me
But I was not afraid
For faith is not for what I know
But what is yet unseen

¶ 6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 And then the heroes of our glories
Shadows gone the hearts remain
And to your deeds we lift our voices
And fill the skies with hallowed names
Yea from earth’s rivers, rocks and stones
Far from all lost loves of home I dream
To none of these my heart is leaning
But yearns for Anfield, Throne of Kings

¶ 7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 To Billy Liddell flying Scot
His boots and laces shone like gold
God’s finest Angels gave him wings
For football played with heart and soul
Sir Matt a legend for Man U
A football genius
But long before he forged their dreams
A star he was for us

¶ 8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 I fear no man, no blade, no reason
I fear no evil for the light
Will shine out strong from death’s dark prison
Whence Anfield’s verge I walk beside
A man he stepped onto the park
His face and form familiar loved
He opened up his arms and then
With warmth he beckoned all

¶ 9 Leave a comment on verse 9 0 Then from the shores of distant lands
Came Reds both young and old
Their weary hearts had need to rest
And come in from the cold
Once more to see their greatest heroes
Oh once more to roar them on
Liddell, Yeats, Cally, Keegan
Lawler, Hall, St John

¶ 10 Leave a comment on verse 10 0 By faith all known none strangers here
And take their rightful place
Fathers, Mothers, Daughters, Sons
They love this grand old place
I see again Sir Roger’s goals
The years just melt away
A man whose legend burns so strong
Guides all to The Liverpool Way

¶ 11 Leave a comment on verse 11 0 Strong and bold our chosen sons
Our tears and joy they share
And tireless on the Anfield turf
Our hearts are with them there
The summer colours robed me up
Then day gave in to night
The silent shadows grew and spread
But none could shield this wondrous sight

¶ 12 Leave a comment on verse 12 0 I passed between the memories
My footsteps silent as a ghost
In God’s clear eyes all men are free
For choice we crave the most
The choice to choose our way in life
The choice to choose the road
The choice I made to follow Liverpool
And never walk alone

¶ 13 Leave a comment on verse 13 0 The boxer’s heart of mighty mouse
That sweet right foot of Rush
The faith rewarded in Dalglish
Brought glory home for us
Big Sami’s mould has been well broken
And Shankly purrs with pride
For men who play with such commitment
Would have a place in the great man’s side

¶ 14 Leave a comment on verse 14 0 The burning boots of Stevie G
Borne his journey boy to man
Whilst Michael Owen’s Cup final goals
Make him a legend number 10
And names now here have much to prove
For those in number 7
And time will tell if such a spell
Can magic us to heaven

¶ 15 Leave a comment on verse 15 0 Upon the terrace proud once more
All Kopites stand beside
For those who choose to worship here
Will find eternal life
They sing the songs of past and present
Dortmund Cardiff Rome
And looked to Gerry in his red scarf
To bring their dreams all home

¶ 16 Leave a comment on verse 16 0 But dreams they faded on the vine
And Houllier took his leave
Now Rafa guides the mighty reds
Has he an ace tucked up his sleeve?
For words alone won’t win the prize
Tho’ fine they may well be
But in the game of life as all
We’re judged by every deed

¶ 17 Leave a comment on verse 17 0 Come back the times of title glories
Made Kings of each and all
Where those who gathered stood beside
To rise, and never fall
Come back the times relive again
But never really left
A father’s hand and words of love
To soothe a child’s lament…