No one calls me by name anymore
I'm the Poppy Man to most
At least that's how most folks know me

I've been selling poppies for the legion
Since 1946
Let's see...yep...it was 46
Went over in 43 at 17 years of age
Home in 45, and yep...46
Same spot too.
There's been two owners here at Danny's. Funny thing though....
neither was called Danny. Turns out Danny was the brother of the original owner, got shot down over Germany, so they named the place after him.
I guess that's why they let me come here and sell poppies every year.

Good thing.
Now, I'm getting up there, they let me sit inside the door. Have a nice little table for myself, and they keep my cup full.
I start selling November 1st, at precisely 11 o'clock. That's just the way it should be....11 o'clock.

Over the years, I've put up with wind, rain, snow and I've always held my post. Lost a few poppies in the wind one time, and the funny thing was...people came and paid me for them afterwards. Told me they found them blowing up the street, figured they were mine. Funny things that people do.

I'll tell you 'bout the name The Poppy Man. It started in 1952. A young mother and her daughter were inside having lunch, and I heard the daughter going on about saving change for the Poppy Man. I guess, I was the Poppy Man.
One of the waitresses put a sign up by the register saying "don't forget to save your change for The Poppy Man"....and it's kinda stuck.
That little girl came back every day with her mother, dropped her pennies in and saluted. You know the way kids do...hand open and all. I guess I owe the name to her.
I've collected lots of memories over the years, most of which I can only smile about now. If I start talking about them, I'd just tear up and you wouldn't get the whole story...so, I'll keep them to myself.
I'm a bit of a celebrity in these parts I guess.
Teachers bring their classes to me, every year to get their poppies. They always send me nice letters too, saying thanks Poppy Man. Cute little drawings, and big printing. Nowadays, I appreciate the big printing more and more.
Over the years, I've collected pennies, dimes, nickels, the usual suspects, bus tickets, candy wrappers, subway tokens, whatever someone had in their pocket at the time. I've seen it all in my tin.
The last few years, I guess since about 1997 or so, the cadets send someone down to stand with me for a while during my stint here.
Good kids mostly, dedicated, and with the same determined look I think we all had back in 43 when I went over.
Most of us didn't make it back, I'm one of the lucky ones. Some who did, never came back right if you know what I mean. But, that's all I'm gonna say about that.
There's only 5 of us left now from the old regiment. I can still see their faces when I shut my eyes....young, virile, strong. I miss them all.
I guess that's why I do it. Sell the poppies every year. It's for them. And for the new kids. New soldiers, new wars, it never changes in that way...just a different style of fighting.
Every now and then though, you know I hear that old bugler tuning up his bugle, and I think "not yet...I'm not ready to have The Last Post played for me"...."not yet".
So, that's about it for me, The Poppy Man....everyone knows me, and I'm easy to find ....just head to Danny's, I'll be at the table at the front.
Don't forget now....save your change for the poppy man.

The door opened, he entered
There was a whoosh of air
The Bluesman looked bedraggled
And he grabbed himself a chair

Cy, came out, he heard the bell
Saw the Bluesman, gave a smile
He said "I see the storm is worse"
"It's gonna keep up for a while"

The Bluesman looked around the store
Saw a guitar on the wall
"She's an old one hanging over there"
He called to Cy, now down the hall

He grabbed it, rubbed the neck some
He said "she's got a lot to say"
He went back to the wooden chair
And the Bluesman, he did play

"There's lots of music in this girl"
"So many songs not sung"
He looked back at the hook behind
Where this old guitar had hung

He sang songs about Jesus
about freedom, and the moon
Amazingly for the guitars age
It wasn't out of tune

Cy went to the pawn stores  back
returning with a flask
He'd brought the Bluesman medicin
The Bluesman continued with his task

"This old girls a treasure trove"
"She's just so full of words"
"Songs kept hidden for so long"
"Songs just waiting to be heard"

He played some more, the storm let up
He thanked Cy, took his leave
"An old guitar needs to be played"
"It's lost songs to be grieved"

"You know that you can play her"
"Whenever you come by"
The Bluesman turned and smiled
He held the flask given by Cy

"That old guitar is special"
"She's an old soul, just like me"
"I thank you for the offer"
"Time will tell, we'll see"

The Bluesman left the pawnshop
It was if he wasn't there
He went out back behind Gianni's
And sang his music to the air

It's safer in the middle
It's really plain to see
If someone tries to pick me off
They shoot others before me

A platoon is led by leaders
Some who aren't around
While those of us out marching
Get picked off without a sound

You know it may sound selfish
Listen up, it isn't dumb
It's safer in the middle
Than with the flag or with the drum

It's safer in the middle
At the back you're in the hunt
If the parade should turn around
You now are at the front

A Cowboys Christmas

We've been making this run
For twenty odd years
On up to Kansas
To bring back some steers

This time weather came up
The wind started to blow
And as it got colder
We were buried by snow

We needed a place
Where we could get cover
We had to find somewhere
One way or the other

Christmas was coming
And we'd not back it home
We were out here all frozen
But, we were not alone

The wind it kept blowing
The snow piled high
We lost three cows in the night
They were destined to die

They were weak when we got them
The walk was too tough
When the weather moved in
Well, that was enough

We hunkered down round the fire
Kept it tended real good
We'd gone and collected
A supply of wood

Christmas was coming
And we'd be away
It's the lot of the cowboy
To be away Christmas Day

The snow it got deeper
And more cattle were lost
We were stuck going nowhere
And dead steer were the cost

We were all round the fire
When the sky opened wide
The clouds disappeared
They all moved to the side

There in the heavens
Was a shining bright star
I'm sure it was one
All could see from afar

It lit up the country
With a sparkling glow
All we could see
Were the steers, and the snow

It was then that we realized
That Christmas was here
We had just gone past midnight
And the sky was now clear

We dropped to our knees
Said a prayer to the Lord
We still had our lives
And our feelings just soared

We'd beaten the storm
And would be on our way
We would still not be home
On this Christmas Day

We slept for a while
Then we ate, hit the trail
We all now had
A new Christmas tale

Christmas had come
With not presents or fuss
It was Christmas regardless
Inside all of us

A cowboy spends Christmas
Where ever he might
Whether out on the job
Or at home for the night

Christmas is Christmas
Without trinkets or beads
It's a feeling inside
It is faith, that one needs

So this cowboys Christmas
Was spent moving the herd
Kneeling down in a snowdrift
And sharing the word

Chicken little took a gun
The day that he turned 51
He put the gun beneath his head
Pulled the trigger...now he's dead

He made sure that he did die
And every birthday you will cry
You tried thrice to do the same
Try once more to win the game

The guilt you feel will fuel a fire
Face the facts...he did expire
You enabled like you always do
So that gun killed not one but two

It tore a family right apart
It didn't melt your blackened heart
So sit upon your stolen throne
And wait to die alone...alone

Sitting in a rocking chair
Hearing voices that aren't there
With a face full of despair
Where did grandma go

Grandma sitting staring into space
With a lost look on her face
In a dress all edged in lace
Where did Granma go?

Grandma' still in side we know
Her expression doesn't show
Her old eyes have lost their glow
Where did Grandma go?
Where did Grandma go?

She used to laugh and tell us tales
"Bout old Ahab chasing whales
Now, her thoughts slow as a snails
Where did Grandma go?

We'll keep coming by to see
Till the day her mind's set free
She will not remember me

Where did Grandma go?
Grandma' still in side we know
Her expression doesn't show
Her old eyes have lost their glow
Where did Grandma go?
Where did Grandma go?

Doctor's came on their last rounds
Grandma was nowhere around
Grandma died without a sound
Where did Grandma go?

Grandma now is gone
flying up close to the son
We knew what had to be done
Where did Grandma go?

Grandma' still in side we know
Her expression doesn't show
Her old eyes have lost their glow
Where did Grandma go?
Where did Grandma go?

London Bridge is falling down
falling down, falling down
London, Bridge is falling down
My fair lady

Terrorists are on the march
Taking lives upon the arch
The British show they're full of starch
My fair lady

Do not hide or they have won
no my son, no my son
We'll beat them like we beat the ***
My fair lady

We are made of stronger stuff
we are tough, we are tough
Teresa May we've had enough
My fair lady

London Bridge is standing tall
It won't fall, It won't fall
Band together, show them all
My fair lady