Rudyard Kipling wrote
“I’ve never sailed the Amazon,
I’ve never reached Brazil;
But the Don and Magdalena,
They can go there when they will!
Yes, weekly from Southampton,
Great steamers, white and gold,
Go rolling down to Rio
Roll down—roll down to Rio!)
And I’d like to roll to Rio.
Some day before I’m old!”
I’ve never seen a Jaguar
Nor yet an Armadill-
O dilloing in his armour
And I s’pose I never will,
Unless I go to Rio
These wonders to behold-
Roll down – roll down to Rio-
Roll really down to Rio
Oh, I’d love to roll to Rio
Some day before I’m old!
The image of a small boy contemplating things he would like to do is somehow poignant. It makes me think of all the things I’d like to do “And I s’pose I never will” .
Here is my version:
I’ve never sailed the Amazon,
I’ve never reached Brazil;
But football fans from England
Will go there, yes, they will!
No longer from Southampton,
Great steamers, white and gold,
Go rolling down to Rio
(Roll down—roll down to Rio!)
And I’d love to roll to Rio
Some day – I’m not too old!
I’d like to go to Rio
If I could go by sea
A cramped and noisy jumbo jet
Does not appeal to me.
I want to roll to Rio
On a liner sleek and clean
With waves to watch and days to pass
Alas – it’s but a dream.
I’ve never seen a Jaguar,
Except the motor car
And as for armadillos –
I don’t know what they are.
But still I think of Rio
As a place I’d like to go
Roll down, roll down to Rio
I’d love to roll to Rio
If I could roll real slow.
Lass From Lancashire 