Looking Back

©Roy Harrison

Looking back, looking back on the days that used to be,
Looking back, looking back to a distant memory,
My home town's changed for ever, I know that's a fact,
But still I've got my memories, simply looking back.

When I was just a nipper, the blitz I well recall,
Saw the dogfights twirl and whirl above, heard the big bombs fall,
Saw the buildings turn to rubble, smelled the smoke and saw the flame,
But like a phoenix from the ashes saw my home town rise again

The cinemas no longer stand where as a kid I'd queue,
The Regent up in Shirley, the Ritz in Bitterne too,
The Gaiety below bar had a measure of renown,
It was known as the bug hutch to the kids all round the town

Looking back, looking back on the days that used to be,
Looking back, looking back to a distant memory,
My home town's changed for ever, I know that's a fact,
But still I've got my memories, simply looking back.

The Bannister Court Stadium where the speedway used to ride,
I saw Phil Bishop, the king of crash, the Saints they were our pride,
The Top Rank took the site, but there's one thing I'm sure,
I won't forget the flying cinder or the dirt bike's muzzy roar.

There's a smithy down in Swaythling, and he shoes the horses well,
I saw the sparks go flying, oh how I loved the smell,
The milkman's cart, the rattling tram I rode when I was small,
Now the Floating Bridge has joined them, they'll be nothing left at all.

Looking back, looking back on the days that used to be,
Looking back, looking back to a distant memory,
My home town's changed for ever, I know that's a fact,
But still I've got my memories, simply looking back.