Here's the words for the song Stanley Accrington wrote in memory of Col K which was first performed at the Metropole on the Friday night of Whitby 2008. It says it all.

Stan invites us to "feel free to use/adapt/circulate as you wish. The tune is anything that fits"

Please will somebody put it into the DigiTrad for me so the memory is there for all time?


                                    Colin Kemp

Chorus:
             The Keeper of the Portal, The Guardian of the Door
             His presence seemed immortal but we will see him no more
             We'll miss his cheerful chuckle and and it leaves us all
             the poorer
               So let's raise a glass or two to Colin Kemp

It's easy to think Festivals are all about booked guests
Some prima donnas on the stage that always have impressed
But there's got to be somebody to look after all the rest
No one did it better than big Col

The first timer who is baffled and needs a helping hand
The one who's lost her ticket, the old feller who can't stand
The harassed organiser who's had to change all that was planned
They came and dumped their problems on big Col

Chorus

Armed with only common sense, warm nature and a smile
He could restore calm to chaos and always go the extra mile
It wasn't rocket science but he did it with such style
And everybody seemed to know big Col

Chorus

St Peter's at the Pearly Gate, but he's getting on a bit
There's some as what wears halos who think that he should quit
But now he's got a new assistant who with the angels is a hit
Keeping them in line you'll find big Col

Chorus

Some people have tried to define exactly what is "Folk"
It's like trying to nail jelly, to attempt it is a joke
But if you want to know what Folk's about - you should have met this bloke
Too soon taken from us, Colin Kemp

Chorus

So here we are in this place each in our usual role
Yet I sense a spirit presence – though not a tortured soul
For Colin's ghost is surely haunting at the Metropole
Keeping things in order is big Col

Chorus


Thanks Stan.