Village Tom

Everyone in Waretown was friend to Tommy Gray.
His blacksmith shop was where men met to pass the time of day.
They brought their horses to be shod, they brought gear for repair.
He made clamming tongs and fireplace irons and tools and tin cookware.

The old folks tell us how Tom treated everybody fair,
and how some folks took advantage, but Tom did not despair.
He never seemed to worry how long folks took to pay.
He kept his faith in all men, in his easy-going way.

While, from his garden 'cross the road, he shared with those in need,
school kids took turnips home to folks with many mouths to feed.
His shop stood near the schoolhouse; it was like a little barn.
Kids gathered rainy days to hear him spin a sailing yarn.

Young fellers vied for ways to help him, and Tom taught them well,
amusing little ones with riddles and tricky ways to spell.
Little girls in town wore rings he'd bent from horseshoe nails,
and boys blew into horseshoe holes to imitate his wails.

The mysterious tune Tom whistled was one they'd never known,
but most of them remembered it after they were grown.
Yes, Tom Gray was a handsome man, in character and face.
His descendants can be proud he left his mark upon this place.

- Lillian Arnold Lopez "Pineylore

Tom Gray and his blacksmith shop in Waretown, NJ.
(Behind the shop is the one-room schoolhouse.)
(Photos from Ocean Township - The Centennial,
history compiled by John O. Beattie & Lillian Lopez)

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