My mother had the shock of shocks

when first she spied my russet locks

`There`s only one way out`, she said

`We`ll have to cover up his head`

and so `til I was seventeen

my Titian hair was never seen

until one breezy winters day

the North wind blew my hat away.

Then people marveled at the view

remarking how they liked the hue

the `Birds` all flocked around and sighed

one even asked if it was dyed...

Of course, there were the usual jokes

mostly from thosePotteriesblokes

like-`Watch it Reg, yer `eads on fire`

And-`Can`t yer use it as fuse wire`?

Also names to make me cringe

like Bloodnut, Carrots, Red and Ginge`

I found it useless to complain

because they never would refrain.

P`raps, with envy, they were wishin`

they commanded my position

or did they think it most unfair

that I should have such lush, red hair?

And when I`m gone will they forget

or will they look back with regret?

and will they say, this time next year,

`We wish old Reg the Red was `ere`?

And what will happen when they see

Their kids all have red hair, like me...?