New Home Poem

by Graham Forsdyke
ISMACS News
Issue No. 34

I'M GOING to keep these poems coming until someone gets fed up and cries enough. This rhyme, based on the famous epic poem Excelsior, was written for New Home in 1886.

The original version told a courageous tale of daring-do of a type loved by Victorians brought up on a diet of burning decks and lighthouse keeper's daughters. The poem runs thus:

The shades of night were falling fast,
As through Chicago streets there passed
A spanking rig, at lightening gait --
Two sewing machines comprised the freight -- New Home.

Along the wagon's sides, so gay,
In golden letters, as bright as day,
Shone out that old familiar name --
The dealers' guide to wealth and fame --
New Home.

Behind this wagon, spick and span
A lightening-running greyhound ran;
With gracious head and slender shanks,
And lettered plainly on its flanks,
New Home.

Oh come, New Home, a maiden cried
And linger easy at my side
The driver winked and threw a kiss
Some other day I will, dear miss.
New Home.

Beware an old man yelled, beware!
Of t'other wagons have a care;
Go gently, or you'll get upset,
A voice replied, "Well I guess not",
New Home.

What's this, a bulldog barked so bold;
A handsome hound, I'll have him culled
The simple hound proved strong as fleet,
And chewed him into sausage meat
New Home.

Silent, their course was onward sped;
The road was quickly cleared ahead.
And growling drivers gave the pass,
Whilst muttering low in smothered wrath:
New Home.

Some time before the sun went down,
The New Home man drove back down town
And gaily sang "I've made a mash
And sold my two machines for cash"!
Hurrah, New Home.