Mrs. Cartwright’s Still Alive Alex Vann

55 years is how long they were together
Eternity is how long they’ll be apart
She was 17 when they married in ‘40
He was born in ‘22

He remembers Normandy, she remembers the sink
He remembers cheap beer, she remembers cleaning up the stink

Her father said it wouldn’t last
Her mother only cried
THe love died 20 years ago, but Mrs. Cartwright
Mrs. Cartwright’s still alive

It wasn’t always easy getting by with no money
A pittence maketh man she would say
He’d hit the bottle and she’d hide the bruises
“Speak when you’re spoken to” he’d say

She gave him children, and he broke her heart
She longed for her freedom, he knew they’d never be apart

Her father said it wouldn’t last,
Her mother only cried
The love died twenty years ago, but Mrs. Cartwright,
Mrs. Cartwright’s still alive

He’d smash her face and then beg for forgiveness
She’d always do what was ‘right’
She was 21 going on 40,
With a husband like that it’s no surprise

He broke down in tears, she stroked his fair skin
He spoke of ending it, but she never would give in

Her father said it wouldn’t last
Her mother only cried
THe old boy died years ago, but Mrs. Cartwright,
Mrs. Cartwright’s still alive

55 years is the age of her eldest
Though they haven’t met in 53
The neighbours all say ‘What a shame she’s no family’
But the kids in the street call her “Gran”