A young caving maid was extremely afraid
When her first trip she boldly abseiled,
When she found herself left
In a deep muddy cleft
With her carbide lamp totally failed.

Now, just as it happened, a male caving type
The maid to this pothole had tailed;
And with anticipation he leapt to her aid
When her carbide light totally failed.

Now strange to relate, his lamp suffered this fate,
As he loudly the poor maiden hailed;
“I just can’t think why”,
Was his wondering cry
With his carbide lamp totally failed.

Now close to the maiden he sat himself down,
And laughed as the poor damsel quailed;
“You’ll be safer” said he, “If you sit on my knee
With your carbide lamp totally failed.

Hours later it seemed they emerged form the cave,
Her face all in blushes was veiled;
No long afraid (but no longer a maid)
For her carbide lamp totally failed.

Years passed and he cursed his impatience with rage,
And his fate he has often bewailed,
For I haste to explain
The girl married her swain
When her carbide lamp totally failed.

Now cavers be wary, in bachelor ease,
Or your single joys will be curtailed,
Most maidens are sly
But men never think why
A carbide lamp’s totally failed.

by Alma

This was origionally published in Belfry Bulleting no 77 January 1954