Liverpool Ode

Liverpool Ode

Once a thriving shipping port

Now more famous for its sport

Men grew rich through human trade

Slaves transported fortunes made

Trading links brought untold wealth

Splendour bought with pain and stealth

As years roll by and time moves on

Those trading links long since gone

The docks fall into disarray

We learn the phrase urban decay

As jobs are lost along with pride

Life seems bleak on Merseyside

But as sail through eighties gate

We hear the term regenerate

The Albert Dock restored inside

Houses built or gentrified

No longer desolate and forlorn

The City Centre is reborn

Now this city has new fame

The Capital of Culture name

A chance for growth and to create

Will culminate in year 08

Art and culture celebrated,

Musicians, writers, artists feted

But urban troubles still remain

The yobs that treat us with disdain

Graffiti, litter, theft with knives

Guns and violence blight our lives

Still Liverpool's spirit can't be broke 

No longer always England's joke 

The people full of fun and humour 

Rise above the scorn and rumour 

Always changing, vibrant, cool 

The dynamic city Liverpool