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Isabella
Posted by John white on 18/1/2026, 5:00 pm Edited by board administrator 18/1/2026, 6:03 pm
June 11 th 1832 near Turners public house
Good to see you Billy Let’s have a bit of crack I’ve sold me bits and pieces ‘Cause I’m never coming back
We’ll have a few pints The drinks are on me Then it’s farewell forever For l’m off to sea
Yes it’s true me old marra Then it’s farewell to Jarra I’m catching the tide,sailing today A new life beckons in Botany Bay
At last I’ve made me mind up I’m finished with the slack No more living like a mole Delving deep for masters coal
The Strand
A lonely figure stood on the strand No waving fiends or farewell band Knowing Ralph Armstrong will sail away Never to return from Botany Bay Leaving his friend with a fearful stain To face the shame and bear the blame With tearss unchecked, that rowled apace Rolling down a tragic face
Isabella August 1832
Sometimes at close of night she shivers When dank sea mist curls from the east Floating,swirling o’er the river Freezing fog she fears the least For in the deep night from a distance A swinging creaking sound appears Sad cry for help,a plea for justice Responding to a widow’s tears
Billys funeral
For gods sake oil the hinges Stop that creaking door It calls to mind that dreadful noise As he swung high upon the shore
Mournfully viewed from across the bay A brutal shameful exercise Heard at night,and seen by day
His mother called him Billy His workmates called him Will The judge named him as William And now his body’s still
They took him down at midnight He is suffering no more No winding sheet for Billy Carried on a door
No passing bell for Billy Or headstone proud and carved No floral tribute o’er the grave Of a miner who was starved
Isabella 1891
Last refuge in a workhouse Silent and withdrawn Merciful amnesia In a body,tired and worn
Rocking back and forward In a foreign place A creaking door or window Sends tears rolling down her face
Sixty years of mourning In a struggle to survive Yet somehow,deep within her heart Her love is still alive
Re: Isabella
Posted by Norman on 18/1/2026, 6:18 pm, in reply to "Isabella"
Ive edited your tiny mistake John.
For those who may not know. Billy in John's poem is William Jobling who was Tried for the killing of Judge Fairless, found guilty so covered in tar & hung in chains on a 17ft high gibbett at the edge of Jarrow Slake. His partner who committed the crime was Ralph Armstrong who was never caught and sailed off to Botany Bay, Australia..
Re: Isabella
Posted by Stan Wears on 18/1/2026, 6:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Isabella"
It should be published!
Re: Isabella
Posted by Malcolm on 18/1/2026, 9:50 pm, in reply to "Isabella"
WOW, John. As I've said before, you are truly gifted.
