We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Last House in Erskine Street

from Autobisongraphy by Dave Atkinson

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.
    Purchasable with gift card

      name your price

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

1972. From the original tape for Atkinsongs 1973.

lyrics

The last house in Erskine Street is number nineteen
And through the flowered curtains there a face is sometimes seen;
‘I’ve been living here for all my life, now they tell me I must go.’
These the words of the occupant of the last house in the row.

‘They’ve offered me a Council flat in Halewood or Speke
And though these walls have rising damp and the roof may sometimes leak,
They’ve stood round me for sixty years and they’ll do me ‘til I die,
I’d sooner end my days down here than fourteen stories high.’

‘These walls have seen the olds folk pass and the young ones getting old,
They’ve seen the babies being born and watched their lives unfold;
I’m sure they must have laughed with us and cried when things were bad,
I’ll bet the walls of a Council flat can’t tell happy times form sad.‘

‘Gone Christy’s corner store where we learned the daily news
And gone Stanley’s ale house where credit was refused
To all but us Erskiners, well that was Stenley’s rule,
And gone all these people now, away from Liverpool.’

‘You educated planning folk don’t seem to understand
That moving people’s not the same as moving bricks and sand;
You’re not just tearing houses down, you’re demolishing a soul.
To us it is our way of life though to you it may be just a hole.’

The last house in Erskine Street was number nineteen
And springtime saw the rubble land turn a little green,
'Til foundations for a multi-level flyover were laid
Which the Corporation financed, for which Erskine Street has paid.

©Dave Atkinson 1972.

credits

from Autobisongraphy, released November 19, 2021

license

tags

about

Dave Atkinson image

Dave Atkinson Chester, UK

I have been writing songs since 1967 when I was 17 and since I have accumulated over 440. Early influences were Dylan, Cohen, Jackson Browne Joni Mitchell, Kristofferson. Though never 'successful' in any conventional sense, my songs and guitar have led many sing-rounds and a couple of 1970's albums sell for £100s as 'rare vinyl'. Above all, it has been a happy adventure. www.atkinsongs.co.uk ... more

contact / help

Contact Dave Atkinson

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Dave Atkinson, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now