Celebration

No arms raised high or banner in the sky No all-night queues It didn’t make the news No speech to make Or modesty to fake No trophy held aloft Champagne remained un-quaffed No open-top procession To mark a great occasion. Just two people in their home With an envelope to open. But let me take you back a year To that fateful day The day the civil service Took my benefits away. I’ve done my best to get them back A tribunal was my final step Their verdict we’re about to get I’ve no idea what to expect The envelope is open Have I won or not? I cannot quite believe it I’ve got the blooming lot!

No rockets lit the night To revellers’ delight No party in the street It might disturb the peace Instead we raise our mugs of tea To Bill Beverage and Clem Atlee All founders of the welfare state Now that’s something to celebrate!