Liverpool Sounds

Created by: Members of the Give Poetry a Chance Group

The rhythm of Liverpool sounds Brings a smile to my face. Eeeeee, a deafening screech coming from a teenage girl Gizza kiss, a mother leaves her son at the school gates Lad those, 110s look sic

“Roll up roll up for the magical mystery tour” I hear music through the streets And Seagull calls through the skies Swooping over waves from Irish shores Cranes on the Docks toil in hammer and clatter Friendly chatter, humour and laughter

Some say if you close your eyes near Queen’s square You can still hear “Buy an Echo’’ in the city air

These are the sounds of my home.

Here at our house We welcome you with open arms Treat you with kindness As if we’ve known you for years

We want you to enjoy your stay And we’re glad you have chosen us

Please talk about us with respect While you are here and after you have left.

Retire the lazy old jokes Don’t ridicule us with spiteful prejudice.

Would you treat your mother this way? A way that disrespects, rejects.

Would you treat your children this way? A way that lacks gentleness and compassion.

What if I treat you like the villain And tell you to behave?

My home is not Bread or Enfield or Brookside Close I’ll make you a cuppa and show you around But don’t make fun of the way I sound.

Tell me where you’re from and I’ll listen I have a love of stories And want to know what I’m missing.

We’ll be your Liverpool mums, dads and mates From the North end to the South end I’ll drive you around the bend With knowledge, history and music.

Were big on rights and big on strikes No matter how big or small the fight We’ll rise against injustice We’ll wave your flag and carry your banner But at the end of the day do you have our backs ? Would you carry mine if I asked?

What stereotypes about you would you like to challenge?

To find out more about the University of Liverpool’s research into they city’s literature and culture visit our project webpages at https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/english/community/soundjourney/