Rail Journey to Barry by Geraldus John

See how they hurried from hill and from vale,
They poured out of Maerdy, Trehafod, Ferndale,
Travelling together, with each one a sinner,
Our Alfie, big Alec and Boyo from Brynna.
With silence descending on hillsides and vales,
The centre of gravity was changing in Wales
Eight hundred youngsters packed in that long train,
While out in the gloaming it tipped down with rain.


With a series of jerks, and a blast of the horn,
Off went the engine through the dank dismal morn
And then a loud cheer nearly tore it apart,
As Boyo’s well aimed core hit a man in a cart.
Then the carriage resounded to a bedlam of noise
Of cheers from the girls and a groan from the boys
With their outing to Barry at last under way
Thoughts turned to the wonders of wild Whitmore Bay.


To the coast, a glorious lifting ride and on its journey back,
How fast it roared, so straight it soared along the iron track,
They roundly bypassed Castell Coch a-gazing down from high.
And neatly dodged the sinister Garth, ominous in lead lined sky.
Leaving behind the shade of vale, and quitting the well-loved hill
They came upon the flatlands, where even the air stays still,
Then in a flash of blinding light with blue skies overhead
They saw the brilliant hue of Barry Isle and cried………
Full steam straight ahead!