To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s reign, The Yorkshire Society asked Barnsley based novelist, poet and Yorkshire Businesswoman ambassador Milly Johnson, a popular Vice President of the Society, to write a poem on behalf of the people of Yorkshire to mark the occasion.
“A job well done” recognises all that Her Majesty The Queen has done for the nation including the many sacrifices she has made over the last 70 years whilst head of state.
About the historic commission, Milly said, “It was a great honour to be asked by The Yorkshire Society to write this poem. As a great admirer of Her Majesty, I hope my words pay a suitable tribute to her years of service.”
Speaking for The Yorkshire Society, Philip Bell, the Chief Executive said, “We needed a way to convey the good wishes we know the people of Yorkshire want to send to The Queen on the unique occasion of her platinum jubilee. Who better than our own award-winning author and poet to find the right words? I think Milly has done us proud and with typical Yorkshire humility and humour.”
A special video of Milly reciting the poem for The Queen has been made and can be seen on You Tube here https://youtu.be/WdcPml9i-OQ
A Job Well Done
I used to think the easiest job
Of all was to be Queen
Waving through the window
Of a long, sleek limousine
Shaking hands with film stars
In a glittery sequinned gown
Looking a million dollars
In a jewel-encrusted crown
The best box at the theatre
The prime seat at the races
A choice of royal castles
In so many stunning places
Riding on your plush royal train
The height of luxury
Stopping off in Yorkshire though
To taste the world’s best tea
But as I’ve grown I’ve realised
The amount of dedication
It must take to be a monarch
At the head of a great nation
To pin a smile upon your face
When you’re not feeling your best
When you have to meet and mingle
Though you’re ready for a rest
To travel round the globe
When your dearest wish would be
To chill at home with loved ones
In front of a TV
The spotlight always on you
You can’t escape the glare
Even when your heart is breaking
‘Cause your strength and stay ain’t there
To sacrifice your own wants
For the greater good of us
And doing what you have to
With no drama and no fuss
Being dignified and steadfast
Working all the days God gave
Showing politicians everywhere
The way they should behave
And when you’re out among folk
Your presence is a gift
A little touch of magic
In lives that need a lift
It’s a job that few could do
So how lucky have we been
For seventy cracking years
To have had you as our Queen
Our fond, familiar backdrop
Our constant and our calm
The rock that we all turn to
When our worlds are wracked by harm
Our bastion of common strength
Our unifying force
Our compass in unstable times
That keeps the ship on course
Our love and thanks are yours
I hope that’s plain to see
Now, and in the years beyond
Your Platinum Jubilee
