A ride on the No 58 Tram.
The big red double Decker Trams passed our homes front door, these bulky things always rocking,
they threw the passengers about, even sitting on the red leather seats was something shocking.
I had asked my mum if I could have the fare for the ride, she gave it to me she said you are growing fine,
its time you got about a bit now, but be careful you are eight years old, and its nineteen thirty nine.

The Tram passed my house, my pal Bill lived just around the corner, the tram stopped on the hill,
we had decided we would ride down to the Street Market in East Lane, I got on and so did Bill.
The Tram descended down the hill, stopping and jolting the facing seat passengers forward,
A tired young mother waiting there trying to fold the pushchair but it was so awkward.

The Conductor got off and folded it down flat, then put it in the parcel place underneath the stair,
she carried a baby in her arms and the two younger children, all sat together mum said we can share.
The young woman, who looked worn out with the children’s constant attention and needs,
She asked the Conductor one single and two halves to Kings College Hospital please.

The Conductor took the six pence coin, selected and punched a hole in each ticket,
handed them to her folded along with the six pence back secretly tucked within it.
She looked at him, about to say that you had made a mistake, but he gave a wink,
the elderly woman sitting facing smiled, so she also understood how we think.

Her husband Reg. was in the army she never remembered his battalion or where he went,
but when on leave she always knew when he said “get up them stairs” what Regi meant.
I was obvious why this young mother was once again requiring the services of Kings,
if you asked her of her thoughts on this she would just say its one of those things.

The tram stops at Goose Green, a man operates the lever to direct the tram to its destination,
shown on the front along with the stopping places shown on the side board information.
In the middle of the road a horse drinks from the trough, just a while relieved of it load,
the rails divide to Peckham Rye, or those Trams that terminate here in Spurling Road.