Cocker Hill, Stalybridge

Old folk, young folk, step with a will

Merry as a shuttle weaving warps and weft.

–

Everybody runs down Cocker Hill

The parson, the miller, the milk maid too;

The soldier lad, to the goose step drill;

Everybody runs, so must you.

–

Everybody runs down Cocker Hill

Women with Asthma, men with gout;

Fat men, thin men, step with a will

Short girls, tall girls, slender, stout.

–

Everybody runs down Cocker Hill,

Everybody laughs; nobody minds;

Age slips away; childhood still

Isn’t so far away, everybody finds.

–

Everybody runs down Cocker Hill

A slug would, a thug would, so would a hare;

Restore circulation if you feel you’ve a chill

Keeping pace with everybody there.

–

Everybody runs down Cocker Hill

Dress a la mode or scantily;

Don’t visit Switzerland running up a bill

Toddle or Waddle here cantily.

–

Everybody runs down Cocker Hill,

Years slip away like a loosen’d cloak:;

Grandsires race with boyhoods’ skill

Without a wheeze, a sneeze, or coke!

–

Everybody runs down Cocker Hill,

Come along! come along! right, left right;

Head up, chest out! Step along, until

Jolity imbues you with gladness and delight.

From Woodfield Memories – A Platt – Tameside Local Studies Library