Lyrical Somerville

Cam Toner, our executive assistant at "The Somerville News," not only keeps the office running smoothly, but she also writes a mean poem. Cam talked about her poem "The Big Four Show,": "This poem is a stroll down memory lane for those of you that enjoyed listening to the radio and the music of the Fifties, and are of the sixty-plus age group. I wrote this poem in 1955. W.O.R.L. was a new radio station at the time, and they had four great disc jockeys, good music and plenty of laughs. They read this poem on the air." Cam is a long-time resident of Somerville, raised nine children here, and as she puts it: "I enjoy all kinds of music, poetry, and a good laugh." To have your work considered for the "Lyrical" send it to: Doug Holder 25 School St. Somerville, Mass. 02143 dougholder@post.harvard.edu

THE BIG FOUR SHOW

Turn the dial to 950 on your radio
And tune in on THE BIG FOUR SHOW
The radio station is W.O.R.L.
The music you’ll hear is really swell.
The time is two, THE FOUR are great
Everyday, except Sunday make it a date.
There you will find Alan (Dary) who plays
Music so soft and sweet,
He’ll really sweep you off your feet…
Now there’s Dave (Maynard), who plays music,
With a more rhythmic beat…
Also, noted for the Bermuda shorts,
He wore through the summer’s heat.
Now of course, there’s Norm (Prescott), whom words surpass,
His music is for the sophisticated class.
Last but not least, there’s Hank Eliot that is,
With lobsters and cakes, he’s rather a whiz.
You’ll hear a chapter of Life’s Episodes in jest.
Confidently, that’s the part I like the best.
They do their commercials in such a way.
They believe themselves, what they say.
Don’t get me wrong, they’re selling the best,
But I haven’t the money to try all the rest.
I bought me a sewing machine from the CITY STORES
To help pay for the house I bought, in order,
To use my WEATHER MASTER ALCO DOORS.
When I get weary I bake a SWANDSDOWN cake,
To give me energy, for this HYCREST easy money
I’m writing orders like mad to make.
Of course, my meals are no problem at all
For I open a can of PROGRESSO MIT THE MEATBALL
A loaf of LIFE BREAD and a glass of SUPREME (wine)
In my CONTINENTIAL UPHOLSTERED chair I dream
Of places like ADVENTURE or SEAVIEW they tell
As I drive my DICKSON BUICK, or the OLDS. I bought from BELL.
But best of all, I like to see my cat grin,
After she has eaten a can of GOLDEN TWIN.
If there’s still a doubt in your mind, why?
THE BIG FOUR was chosen for a name
No other was appropriate than "Ain’t It A Shame,"
All kidding aside, tune in everyday and let them
Help you smile your cares away.
—Cam Toner