The morning about forty years ago
The summer had been near spun
The fish had been so very scarce
Father said, "We'll have another run"
We were fishing from the cove of Maberly
That lies on the straight shore
When fishing on the fishing grounds
It's exposed to all winds that roar
There is no land that you can reach
Just the broad Atlantic ocean behind
You have to face these winds that blow
This is the verdict all the time
We soon prepared our little boat
That was only some sixteen feet long
Oars we had to power this boat
A main-sail when winds were strong
We rowed out to our fishing spot
About two miles from land
This is the berth we commonly used
Chalky-cliff was its name
The morning had been fairly good
Some small clouds to the west
To think a real cloud squall would appear
You would have never guessed
The fishing had been very poor
We were using lines and bait
Father said, "They may come along
We'll set awhile and wait"
I glanced at the Western sky
The dark clouds began to roll
I put on my oil-skin jacket
It seemed to be getting cold
Then I saw father fill his pipe
He was looking out to sea
Did not seem to see the clouds
That were coming towards me
He had been going fishing
Since he was eight years old
Never seemed to heed the clouds
Nor the strong winds that blow
Then I said to father boldly
"That's a gloomy sky in there"
He turned around very slowly
And said "perhaps the wind will veer"
The wind soon sprang upon us
Not so hard when it began
We put the oars across the boat
To try and reach the land
First we made little head way
Then we met the full squall
Our boat seemed to go astern
And hail stones began to fall
Then father said to me again
"Watch the marks on the Southern land"
I said "I am doing this"
But not a bit we can gain.
For about fifteen minutes the winds tossed us
We rowed with all our might
So suddenly it was clear again
And not a cloud in sight
We rolled into the nearest shore
And was tired as could be
Then put the kettle on the fire
And got a cup of tea
Refreshed by the cup of tea
We then rowed down the shore
Safe home again in the cove
What could you ask for more.