E15 Clapton Park, Stratford, West Ham
The Immigrantby Allan Wholas |
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I moved to England in 1963 to work for Ford Motor Co. until I was retired after a quadruple heart bypass. I think people should always make an effort to get to know people for what they really like and not what they look like. Since I come to England people have always mistaken me for an Asian. |
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Now that I am retired I spend my time getting involved in the community. I am a member of Newham heart support group. I am also vice chair of Newham leaseholder and tenant group, new editorial team member of Streetlife mag and I also volunteer for Hibiscus Caribbean Elderly Association. |
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THE IMMIGRANT |
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Have you head the news / Something you can’t refuse / Everyone is rushing around / Everyone is England bound. |
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Men in them Ariguanabo suit / Felt hat on them head / Women in their floral dress / Pretty scarf tie them head. |
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Aboard the Ascania, Begonia / And the Empire Windrush too / They set sail for the motherland / This place they call England. |
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It was a cold wet September night / We all disembark / Bristol. Southampton. Liverpool. / And Tilbury docks too. |
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By train load, bus and taxi / They all head for London town / They say the street of London is paved / with gold / I am going to find mine / before I am too old. |
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Work for Ford motor company / The work was hard the hours long / But you wont hear me complain / Get room to rent in Forest Gate / Thirty bob a week / A formica table a iron bed / a dunlop pillow to rest my head. |
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But I have a dream / I shall return / I will return / And if am alive / I will rest under the ackee tree / But if I am dead bury me under / The Neasberry tree. |
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Upon my headstone you will read, / here lies Allan Wholas / A son of Jamaica a son of goodwill / He live the life he loved and he love the life he lived. / One love one life. |
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