The Land of Grimney - The Illustrated Adventures of Cora Pearl, aged 12

Politely, he turned down Last Supper.
He didn’t care for scotch or gin and
We’d got no vodka, so I sat all
Through the watch with him and
He talked about his home and kin.
He died to save us from our sins;
The ones to which we might succumb.
A Jewish lad, but that apart
He was just like us: a mother’s son,
Though more in need of saving
And not quite as used to shaving.
We marched him out to Calvary
Behind the colliery wall, but
He didn’t have to lug his cross.
We’d seen to that the previous night.
Made it nice and snug and all.
Banged it home real tight.
Tom had brushed him up and
Made him smart, and over his heart
Our officer had pinned a paper disc.
It was me that tied his arms round to
Stop the risk of him hitting the ground,
With a bit of flag-pole rope
Which ‘til that day had touched
Nothing quite so worthy.
He helped by standing still, then
I heard his question, but not to ask
Father why His will had led him here
Only “What will mother say?” Oh dear!
That got to me. And his eyes fixed
On a vision so very far away.
It was more for me than him I
Placed the raggy crown of thorn, a strip
Of cloth below his brow. I am old but my
Memory no fresher then, than now;
Some nights it won’t allow me kip.
Spikes were old hat for nailing
Lads to trees, so we lined up and
At the signal let fly with 303s.
No blue skies for our Saviour, no
Green hills far away or
Waving fields of corn.
Just a dusty, disused coal mine
For the boy we shot at dawn.

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"Never look down on a man unless you're helping him up." Jessie Jackson

Do you know what Redvilst - I barely have words.

I think it's amazing, and solemn, and moving, and thought provoking.

I could write an essay on my thoughts infact! The parallels and differences between the Crucifixion and this young mans execution are brilliant. I have a lump in my throat actually.

Thank you!

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All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts...

Many thanks, Evenaive.

The boy's name was Aby Bevistein, and his story is out there.

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"Never look down on a man unless you're helping him up." Jessie Jackson

Just found this shorter version while going through some papers


A Green Hill Far Away

Now Calvary is a disused mine
Along old Annequin street.
Give him scotch, that’ll be fine!
No anointing of his feet.

Not spikes, but the 303s we used
Nailed him to the bough,
His thorny crown, a strip of cloth
Fastened o’er his brow.

He died to save us all from sin.
For this the lad was born.
Martyred so we play the game,
The boy we shot at dawn.

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"Never look down on a man unless you're helping him up." Jessie Jackson