When Do We Get The Rise?

A Poem by C. Rhodes©C. Rhodes 1918

When do we get the rise?
It's the cause of many sighs.
I wandered up the shed one day-
I got through it about half way,
When a "driver" shouted out, "Dusty, I say,
When do we get the rise?"

When do we get the rise?
Tears would come to my eyes,
When a fireman well in the know
Said it's alright, mates, we'll get the' dough.
This information he wanted to show,
On when we'll get the rise.

When do we get the rise?
They were worse than the blessed flies,
As around me they used to crowd,
Thcy would all get going, and shout aloud-
(I sometimes thought I would need a shroud)-
Oh, when will we get this rise?

When do we get this rise?
I only could surmise.
I told 'em all I really knew,
But to some of them this would not do;
So tale's I had to invent a few
On when we'll get the rise.

Notes

C. Rhodes, Port Loco. From The Footplate 28 June 1918.