Words on Water by Ian McMillan

The Bard of Barnsley - Ian McMillan - has written a poem to celebrate the special bond between Yorkshire people and the county's historic waterways, reflecting on the role that local communities have played in improving them for people and wildlife. 

To see and hear Ian reading his poem - you can visit the Canal and River Trust site.

Words on Water

A canal is a mix
Of fragility and strength
Of ancient locks
Up and down the length
And breadth of the North
And, for what it’s worth (they soon dry, wring ‘em out)
Pairs of soaking socks
Oh yes,
Pairs of soaking socks.
  
A lot of people lend
Willing brains and hefty brawn
A helping hand
In a flooded dawn
In all the pouring rain;
And in Pocklington (or Mirfield, or Naburn)
Loads of great ideas
Oh yes,
Loads of great ideas.
 
A canal is a road
For a lot of freight to ride,
Landscape to read
Two centuries wide.
Kennet in the sun
Workshops growing strong
And, to top it off (and here, and now)
Waterside restored
Oh yes
Waterside restored.
 
A lot of people love
The canals and what they mean
To work and live
By the water’s gleam;
They will have their day
Then everyone will say (or sing, or shout)
Canals are back for good
Oh yes
Canals are back for good!