Of all the people these long years, I have truly known

With just a few good hearty souls has such a friendship grown

He’s big … he’s burly … yet oh so gentle too

Not one to push or prod or poke, nor impose his view

He’s solid, he’s dependable, his hard yakka never stops

Who could ever match it with the Doc from Barton Tops?

Meticulous, not messy, a tidy a bloke as can be

This doctor’s a fanatic when it comes to being clean.

“Matthew, my good friend – I’ll be a wee bit late;

Someone’s left a ghastly mess, an’ a crusted dinner plate.”

I soon hear rinsing, scrubbing hard, he wipes he swipes he mops

Can anyone clean better than the Doc from Barton Tops?

It’s been rumoured – I’m a sceptic – that the Doctor, he can run

Yet walk or just meander, that’s all we’ve ever seen done.

He doesn’t rush, he takes his time, he’s rarely in a hurry,

He’s not like some poor bloke, you know, who’s had too hot a curry!

He only sways or slides or scuffles, no skips or hops or bops

Who could ever move so well as the Doc from Barton Tops?

He’s challenged me, mind you, some days – is there really original sin?

For such a bloke of goodness, you and I won’t find ag’in.

Our Doc is humble, patient too, generous to a T

It surely must be his non-violent eschatology!

You’ll never fear or flee the man; no need to call the cops

Can anyone outshine, I ask, the Doc from Barton Tops?

If there is a strange phenomenon, yes, something that’s amiss

It has to be the Doctor’s palate – frankly, it’s hit and miss.

I’ve offered the finest French cheeses, I’ve bought baguettes and bread

Alas, his gluten-free diet I fear has messed with his head!

So stick to boiled vegies, apple sauce and plain pork chops

Who could ever hope to feed the Doc from Barton Tops?

Yet the Doc is not a doctor for fine food or flashy wine

But his brilliant and creative, sharp, incisive mind!

Philosophy, theology, church history – they’re a cinch,

The Bible – it’s a pushover. Tennis trivia? In a pinch!

“Quick!” I say, “Go grab his books, they’re selling in all the shops,”

’Cause who can match the peerless Doctor, who hails from Barton Tops?

They say there’s rumours in our town, of angels incognito:

“Be careful whom you entertain, they might just have a halo!”

Well angels maybe – I don’t know – but this truth you can trust:

A coffee with our friend the Doc leaves angels in the dust.

His faith is deep; it’s solid as, it’s no Snap, Crackle, and Pop

So you won’t find a better man than our Doc from Barton Tops!

‍