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Henry Winslade, Kelso
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Kelso Flood 1917
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It was on the 27th, a Sunday it chanced to be,
when the waters of the Pomahaka, turned into a raging sea.
The water flowed in everywhere, in house, in barn and sty
and cleaned out all the dirt and dust that did not meet the eye.
There was Bobby Leask, who sells the frisk, he lost his poultry farm,
and David Risk had cattle washed from off his little farm;
Now McIntosh he lost a dog and lost a calf as well,
but his pig got up on the mantle shelf and survived the ordeal well.
Jack Kitching and his little lot, they went across the way,
and Hanson put them up a loft and there they had to stay.
Now Jackson Jimmy's fences all suffered from the flood,
But Jimmy took his sheep inside to save the precious stud.
Into the dairy factory that dirty water went,
into the church it went as well and left it's awful scent;
but now the church is putrified and cleansed from all it's sin,
and people come from miles around to gather there within.
Now Jimmy Walker, foolish man, he let the water flow,
in at the back, out at the front and over his stock, you know.
Into Stephy Wright's big grain store that water found it's way,
and filled up all the cornsacks with finely silted clay.
Now poor old Pinkerton Joe, whom you all must know, was very nearly drowned,
the water rose and rose until he floated in his bed,
he cried aloud for urgent help and started for to swim,
but help was soon forthcoming and they poured the whisky in.
Yes, thank you, friends, he is about again and recovered quite alright,
with plenty of red ink left on hand, a letter for to write.
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