The Port of Bristol Shanty G'nomes

The Port of Bristol Shanty G’nomes,
a merry little crew,
set off on an adventure
to see what they can do…

…to raise money for a charity
that helps children who are ill,
singing Bristol songs and shanties
penned by Nobby’s quill.

Fifteen wandering Shanty G’nomes,
all upright men and just,
sing with virtue “et industria”
for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Rev wants to sing at Glastonb'ry,

it’s always been his dream;

The pyramid stage beckons,

so the crew are now fourteen.

Thunderbox the Shanty G’nome

visits the latrine. 

He rests a while to read the gnews,

so then there are thirteen.

But thirteen brings bad fortune,

as we all know ourselves,

so Paddles rows off in his boat,

leaving luckier twelve.

Skipper sings of Fiddler’s Green
(It’s shanty sailors’ heaven)
as usual, he wanders off,
so the G’nomes are now eleven.

In the distance there’s a mountain
(what the Scottish call a “Ben”)
Art’s on a trek to climb it,
leaving only ten.

Ten merry Shanty G’nomes
pour a glass of wine.
Muff enjoys a bit too much;
Now the number’s down to nine.

Fish puts on his waders
and grabs his rod and bait.
He’s off to the quay to fish in the sea.
Then there were eight.

Chilli eats a pepper.
It’s the hottest he’s been given!
His top (and bottom) cheeks are burning;
now there’s only seven.

Recording all the shanties,
Oggie puts them in a mix
to play out on his podcast,
so the G’nomes are down to six.

Six little Shanty G’nomes
visit Chuffer’s hives.
He has to stop to tend the bees.
Then there were five.

Old Bill likes things Bristol fashion:
Shipshape and secure.
He stays to check the cargo
and the G'nomes are down to four.

Ash gets a message
there’s a match to referee.
He rushes home to find his whistle.
Now there’s only three.

Doc has to go to work
as all younger G’nomes must do.
His poorly patients need him there,
so the crew is down to two.

Two little Shanty G’nomes
are looking for some fun.
Nobby sits to paint a scene
and then there was one.

Herbie the cabin boy
is sitting all alone.
Lost in the woods with his crewmates gone,
how will he find home?