Synopsis: A parody of a poem written by a senior manager which accuses him of ignoring the workers' complaints.

A Welsh Rarebit

The " Railway Magazine "  for September contains some verses by T. Houghton Wright, of Neath, superintendent of the loco. department, Great Western, the Rhondda and Swansea, and also the Swansea and Mumbles Railway. Mr. Wright is shortly about to retire, and, though this poetry has an ancient and a fish-like smell, it is thought by some, it has been 'resuscitated with a view to ingratiating himself with the engine drivers and firemen previous to his retirement. Here is a specimen of his inspired effusion ':—

Who comes on duty day by day,
His train on rail to take away,
Of passengers or goods as may ?
The engine driver.

Who gets the tip at the far end,
When time is made up of no end,
With two-and-six for self to spend?
The guard.

Why our office boy can turn out better stuff than that with the machine. Here, boy, turn the handle and let go.

Who comes on duty day by day,
Or if he chooses stays away ?
Who is it ? Tell me quickly, pray.
T. Houghton Wright.

Who is it that serves masters three,
Can live with ease in far Swansea,
Though at Neath his offices we see ?
T. Houghton Wright.

Who is it shortly will retire,
Who to allay the drivers' ire
Has lately caught poetic fire ?
T. Houghton Wright.

Who is it while he had the chance,
At grievances refused to glance,
And wages never could advance ?
T. Houghton Wright.

Who is it slanders the poor guard,
Who hits the fellow awful hard,
Because he thinks he's no trump card ?
T. Houghton Wright.

No one we're sure will wish him ill,
But they're quite sure some one can fill
His place, and no doubt some one will—
T. Houghton Wright.

Commentary

This poem has the same structure as bar567~ Brief Respite published in the Railway Review on 24th August 1900 suggesting that T Houghton Wright took inspiration from a poem popular at the time.