THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN ROYAL OAK

(With apologies to Clement C.  Moore )

‘Twas the night before Christmas In the town of Royal Oak

Not a creature was stirring, at the Castle – no jokes

The Commissioners were all snug in their beds

While visions of a hotel danced in their heads.

A happy young lady in her new Fiat so yellow

Was driving on Main Street looking happy and mellow

Mr. Johnson with a new millage - Mr. Gillam with help on the
way

Had just settled down for a few days away

When over on Woodward there arose such a noise

Chief Cory went out with a few of his boys

Away in a squad car they drove very fast

On Fourth Street they waived to Keith as they passed

A cloud of grey smoke did hamper their way

As lights flashed all purple and night turned to day

Then what did they see that made them shout… Oh!

But a nineteen sixty eight, cherry red, GTO

With a grey haired driver having so much fun

It had turned to August and Dream Cruise had begun.

More classics they saw from near and far they came

And they whistled and shouted and called out each name.

A Comet, a Falcon and a sixty Corvair

Chargers, Mustangs, a fifty seven Belle Aire

To 12 and 13 Mile and Memorial Park

The cars kept on coming till well after dark

Then all of sudden again came the smoke

It seemed like a dream from which they awoke

Now it was daytime back in downtown

It must be AB & E from the smells and the sounds

 The crowd was quite lively in all sizes and colors

 There were young and old timers and children with mothers.

They ate as they walked and enjoyed crafts and art

At music stages they gathered before each act would start

Overtaken again by the large greyish cloud

A marching band they heard playing so loud

Now on Main Street with folks lining the way

American flags waived, had to be the end of May

Memorial Day in our very proud  city

If you missed the parade it sure is a pity

Old soldiers and Sailors stood proud as they marched

The police honor guard with uniforms starched

Horses and floats, school bands and some clowns

Boy and Girl Scouts as well Cubs and some Brown….ies

Elks, Kiwanis and Optimists too

Politicians were there and more than a few.

Then just as expected, the smoke once more came

And Chief and his crew were back where they began

It was four in the morning and all seemed just right

As they looked out toward Main Street they all saw the
light.

Who could it be? A stranger for sure

They wondered aloud as the car came near

At once they all recognized the familiar grin

It was Mayor Jim Ellison just out for a spin

He spoke not a word but bent down in his seat

Brought out coffee and cookies for all to eat

With a wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Chief and the boys had nothing to dread

He got back in the car and his horn he did toot

Away he drove like he had lead in his foot  

And they heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight

Merry Christmas Royal Oak and to all a good night!