Christmas in My Hometown in the Fifties
By Algie Ray Smith


Posted on January 1, 0001 12:00 AM



Oh, I’d love to spend this Christmas in the 50’s in my hometown,
 
To join the Class of 59 again, teenage friends in my hometown..
 
I long to see the TV in Logan Hardware, oh, so bright
 
And the Park Square trees a-glitter in the breeze.
 
Saying, “Welcome back to the 50’s tonight.”
 
Church choirs  singing carols by the altars all a-glow,
 
Ough Page’s laughter jingling as he rambles in the snow.
 
My heart is winging to the 50’s as the snow comes drifting down.
 
Oh, I’d love to spend this Christmas at the high school in my hometown.
 
Bells loudly ringing, telling us to hurry up and show;
 
Mrs. Ruth, Mrs. Piper, Mr. Lynch bringing us all that we should know.
 
My heart is winging to the 50’s as past years come tumbling round;
 
Oh, I’d love to spend this Christmas with old chums in my hometown,
 
Duck tails and poodle skirts, boatneck  shirts and fenderskirts
 
At the high school in my hometown.
 
John Allen in study hall….first row, first seat;
 
Henry Ashby’s broad smile so much a kindly treat.
 
Charlotte Ball a-talkin with her East Detroitdialect;
 
Morris Herndon with Miss Willis’ math, always so correct.
 
Wayne Purvis with Tootsie Pops from Buck’s store;
 
Mary Ellen Rushing just  bustling through the door.
 
Ervin Belcher at Duncan’s jerking sodas and more;

Marion Joyce Bruce turning loose on Teen Town’s dancefloor.
 
Oh, I’d love to spend a day this Christmas in the 50’s
 
With all the Panthers in my hometown.
 
I’d love to see Barbara Wilkins and Paul Chandler
 
Dressed up in all their best,
 
To hear Gary Koch and Linda Tyree as they study for a test.
 
To listen to the crowd roar when Tank Taylor scores a touchdown,
 
To feel the smile that Suzy Page makes from my sad frown,
 
I know Jimmy Underwood is planning something grand,
 
And Dick Mosley is still marching with the  Panther band.
 
Oh, I’d love to spend one hour this Christmas in the 50’s
 
With the old gang in my hometown.
 
There I’d still find Arline Chapman and Wendell Belcher,
 
Two of my friends so cherished and true;
 
I’d find again Eddie Bush and Jimmy Daniel…
 
Oh, the tricky things that we could do.
 
I’d be sure to seek out Ellen Herndon and Johnny Guion
 
To help me with my books;
 
I’d cruise with Sonny Humphrey and Morris Herndon,
 
For they knew what ”cooks”.
 
And June Lyne, Betty Jane Whaley, and Pickles Nichols—
 
And all the rest;
 
Just knowing all the Class of 59, my life has been so blessed.
 
This Christmas, Santa, I’ve certainly been sort of GOOD;
 
Please grant me one minute in the 50’s in my hometown;
 
Oh, IF YOU ONLY COULD!

Merry Christmas, Classmates!!!!!!!


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