A Recitation
by Roy Irwin Alchin – Gunning 1907
by Garry Norman Smith
The Goulburn
Evening Penny Post (Saturday 28 December 1907, 6) reported on the annual
Methodist Sunday School service at the Gunning Methodist Church. The newspaper described
the church as “nicely decorated with greenery”.
Among the
names mentioned by the newspaper were Plumb, Wheatley, Alchin, Gazzard, Rudd
and Timms.
Methodist (Uniting)
Church, Gunning
The children’s program on this occasion was well-attended by
children and their parents and “afforded a treat to the listener”. Among the
children to present an item at the service was Roy Irwin Alchin, grandfather of
the author.
Eleven-year-old Roy joined his older sister Myra as part of
the children’s participation. Myra gave a recitation of an anonymous poem “Papa’s
Letter” while Roy recited the lyrics of a song “In the House of Too Much
Trouble” (words and music by Will A. Heelan and J. Fred Helf).
The words of Roy’s recitation were appropriate for a young
boy seeking attention; was this Roy’s dilemma?
In the house of too much trouble, lived a lonely little boy,
Always longing for a playmate, always eager for a toy; But you see, ‘twas too
much bother, sister said and daddy, too, And he must not worry mamma, she had
other things to do.
(Chorus) In the house of too much trouble, little boys were in the way, No one ever seemed to reason, that a boy must sometimes play; Soon his baby woes and worries left their trace upon his brow, In the House of too much trouble, there are quiet moments now.
(The second verse strikes a sad and serious chord)
In the house of too much trouble, anguish stamps the mother’s
brow, As she prays, “God spare my darling!” Ev’ry wish she’ll grant him now;
But a faint voice whispers, “Mamma, won’t the angels let me play, When they
take me up to Heaven, will I still be in the way?”
(Chorus) In the house of too much trouble, little boys were
in the way, No one ever seemed to reason, that a boy must sometimes play; Soon
his baby woes and worries left their trace upon his brow, In the House of too
much trouble, there’s a baby missing now.
Fortunately, the recitation by Roy Irwin Alchin did not leave
a lasting emotional scar. Several songs and recitations at the anniversary service
could well be described as depressing for children to absorb.
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| Roy Irwin Alchin |
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