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 Lord Gordon Parry of Neyland.
A tribute in verse to a great Welshman.
Reproduced by kind permission of Mel Thomas, the Author.
T’was the year Scott Fitzgerald wrote ‘Gatsby’,
The Twenties were into their stride.
At the Great Exhibition in Paris,
Art Deco the rage, no surprise.
Charlie Chaplin on film made the ‘The Gold Rush’,
The Fascists in Europe held sway:
Mussolini and Hitler triumphant,
Whilst the rest of the world wanted play.
Twenty-five was the year, so inviting
To Charleston, play Jazz, blow your horn,
And amidst all the noise and excitement,
In West Wales, Gordon Parry was born.
Delivered in a storm near Narberth,
A blizzard was raging outside,
His father fetched doctor on horse-back,
It proved, for the both, quite a ride.
Thomas Lewis, his dad, was ecstatic,
At Bethesda, the Baptist’s rejoiced,
Mam Annie was so proud of her offspring
And her joy she emphatically voiced.
“Our Gordon, one day will be famous,
Play rugby I’m sure, yes for Wales”
But father, a pastor, more cautious
Not known to dispense fairy tales.
The Parrys they settled in Neyland,
Moved there when our hero was three,
A haven like nearby Milford,
Which you cross by ferry to see.
His Pembrokeshire childhood - idyllic:
The youngest he was out of four,
The terraced house was a magnet
For the good folk around - open door.
“He must work work”, said his father, “at his studies,
Go to college whatever the fee”.
He eventually trained hard as a teacher
At Carmarthen’s renowned Trinity.
There followed great years of achievement,
His Christian upbringing his guide,
World travel, romantic adventures,
With Glenys, his wife at his side.
He’s taught and he’s lectured to thousands
He’s been Tourist Board Chairman for Wales.
Written books and he’s broadcast to millions,
Is much loved in the valleys and dales.
There’s no doubt he’s a Lord of the People,
His peerage an honour well earned,
To follow his life and endeavour,
A great lesson is there to be learned.
Above all he’s proud of his Welshness,
He’s pleased when you call him a ‘Taff’,
He’s admired not only for wisdom,
But the fact his sharp wit makes you laugh.
His birthday’s November the Thirtieth,
He shares it with many great men:
Julius Caesar, St Andrew and Churchill,
He’s a match for all three, say Amen.
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