For as long as I can remember I enjoyed the poems of Robert Service. He seemed to be more prominent than the other poets. At family gatherings we enjoyed the reciting of his ballads, most of them told from memory. The passion for his poetry remained with me throughout my life. Recently I wrote a play based on his life. The story and performance were received very well. All but one cast member are from Newfoundland, including myself. I believe that Robert Service was recognized in Newfoundland, more than any other place, which the following poem reflects.

It is written he's from Scotland, and was blessed by God's own hand
But as true is true, I'm telling you, he gave grace to Newfoundland
As a child and adolescent, as a student I would smile
When his poems were read in public, cause humour was his style

I heard them from my father, from my teachers and my friends
I heard them from my uncles; I heard them time and time again
They were read at family gatherings, there were times that I would stand
And recite his words from memory, but then, almost everybody can

If you traveled around the province, well at least back in my day
From St. John's, out to the west coast and down St. Mary's way
St. Anthony to Gander and east to Baccalieu
His rhymes, his poems, his witty charm, no doubt, you would have heard them too

His works are told around the world and this I understand
But maybe not as often, as were told in Newfoundland
You seem to strive on friendship and humour plus you care
I believe that's why his stories are told so often there

So if you bump into a Newfie no matter where you'd be
Ask, do you know Robert Service? Oh yes, he wrote Sam McGee
He wrote many ballads, songs and rhymes too
But by far, my favourite, the Shooting of Dan McGrew

John Hayward
Cambridge, ON
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