You must have seen one of his paintings
I have often marvelled at the deft of his hand
Without fail he makes me smile at his strange figures
Miniature matchstick silhouettes they stand
Born a Salford lad in the year 18 hundred and 87
A Northern boy near Manchester's city
Self-taught and started quite young at 15
Bringing art to a whole new entity
Industrial scenes he became proficient in
Huge chimney's smoking black and grime
Workmen trudging to work and back
An institution of modern times
How I love to gaze at his street settings
Tiny people out walking their trusted dog
Brick walls leading to old school buildings
The air being pressed down by billowing fog
An unassuming man with vast white beard
A kindly presence belied a powerful talent
A noble artist who passed away aged 88
Memories of him worthy and true and gallant