I stand in the North of the country
Where Arthur and Merlin once trod
And iced winds blow like a furnace
And strike me like some cursed dog
Lost as the iced winds stab at my face
Yet the Beauty around fills my soul with grace.

I walk the wet streets of the town
As the cold wind blows and sleet falls
But I see only beauty around me
In the streets and the buildings so old
100 years old and older they stand.
Packed shoulder to shoulder on God’s desolate land.

Then down to the retail park
Where once trains thundered and roared
And carried the ore that built this town
But now, those days are no more
And the retail park is just the same
As in any city you care to name.

Down to the docks and the wind still blows,
Sleet drives 'cross the channel wide
Still there is beauty in the wild of the dusk
As lights start to glow from museums and pubs
With a promise of warmth and rest from the wind
And warming ale to bring peace of mind.

But the shipyards now lie dead.
As do the lofty cranes
Mighty hammers lay still
Welders torches lay cold
Only ghosts of vast warships remain.

Though this place be cold and bleak
As when Arthur and Merlin rode through
To battle the Viking invaders,
The Scots and the Danes all did spew
Their anger and hatred across this land
Till beaten when peace then reigned
And though some would say ugly
I see only beauty in its waters and cold lonely sands.

So come with me my lady
We shall ride to the magic lakeside
Where a sword was raised
And a king rode forth
A country to bestride.

Come fly with me my lady
As Nimue with Merlin did ride
I’ll calm all your fears
Keep you safe through the years
And my knowledge your mind can imbibe.