Bank Holiday in lockdown (tune: The Teddy Bears’ Picnic)
If you go down to the woods today
you’re in for a big surprise;
there’s lots of notices on display
regarding your chicken thighs.
You must not grill them under the trees
and eat them there with salad and cheese –
today’s the day you really can’t have a picnic.
Picnic time has now been banned,
so kindly understand
you cannot enjoy a barbecue;
take your camp-stoves to the shops,
and cook your burgers in the trolley queue.
As the line creeps near the door,
the chops and sausages will nourish the waiting crowd;
at six o’clock, the store will be closing
so do your trolley dash,
then drink at home, while it’s still allowed.
If every family in the land
embraces this social rule,
to keep our distance and wash our hands,
we’ll get back to work and school.
So even when the weather is warm
to stay at home will keep us from harm,
until the day we really can have a picnic!
Alison Blenkinsop Spring 2020