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Song For Arthur

Jimmy Blue

Friday, May 28th, 2010

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 Song for Arthur

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Did you hear of Arthur Wharton, in the beautiful game
They roared for Arthur’s lions, but the battle was all in vain
For a prince from the gold coast, in lily white was not the same.
Sing Hallelujah for Arthur, sing Arthur’s name again.

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 Born to a brave heart, in Ghana where he prayed
Across the pond was fighting, to end the crack of slaves
It was in old Vicky’s island, where Arthur made his name
Sing hallelujah people sing Arthur’s name again.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 Arthur was a hero, people don’t forget,
Played 7 games in 10 days to pay the poor’s debt
Hungry mouths to feed and the cat took in the net
Sing hallelujah for Arthur people don’t forget

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 Fastest man on the planet, never settled for second or third
From thunder bolt to Berlin, he was free as a bird
Ran like the wind and hands safe, just like a preacher’s word.
Sing hallelujah for Arthur his name it must be heard

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 Colour blind was Darlo, when they hailed their king
100 years before London, threw the first banana skin
The marks of wicked history are felt deep within
Sing hallelujah people let me hear you sing

7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 To all you would be Arthur’s, hear this song I plead
The greatest sporting hero’s came from Arthur’s seed
Mr Wharton’s pride is in our hearts and he wore it on his sleeve
Sing hallelujah for Arthur and all that he achieved.

8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 What became of poor Arthur, when he left darling town
He picked up a bottle and dropped his royal crown
The coal dust broke his spirit after digging underground

9 Leave a comment on verse 9 0 Sing hallelujah for Arthur a hero I have found.

Notes

This poem was orignally written as a song, inspired by the work of Shaun Campbell of the Arthur Wharton Foundation.
The poem celebrates the lfe of Arthur Wharton as well as my home town of Darlington, that embraced Arthur the first back professional footballer all those years ago.
In the lyrics there are allegorical references to Arthurs life in relation to black sporting and political history, from the time of his birth in 1885 up to the modern day.
As a life long blues musician the issues surounding Arthur are very close to my heart and I am imensely proud to have been asked for my imput to what is a fantastic campaign.

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/song-for-arthur/