January 3rd, 2010

Growing up in the small community of Norman's Cove, we referred to the small boats the fishermen used to go out to their fishing punts as "Rodneys" (I hope I've spelled it correctly). I've been a faithful subscriber to the Downhome for a number of years and enjoy it very much. Keep up the excellent work!
Yours sincerely,
Clarence Piercey

Uncle John's Rodney

Uncle John was a fisherman
Who lived in my home town
He was a kind and quiet man
And nice to be around.

Whenever he went out to fish
His rodney was left at home
We'd go to his stage and climb aboard
And to the coves we'd roam.

Not a harsh word was spoken
With his return from the trawl
To find his rodney missing
Was the saddest thing of all.

A few of us boys would get together
And set out to have some fun
In Uncle John's rodney we'd scull around
In the warm July sun.

We'd come home after a very long day
And tie up to the stage head
Uncle John would see us coming
His voice we did not dread.

I believe we took advantage
Of Uncle John's kind ways
For I'm sure that his old rodney
Had seen some better days.

The tawts were broken, the toe pins worn
It was not so watertight
But never stopped our use of it
From morn to late at night.

You see, Uncle John was a carpenter
He tried to keep it sturdy
A bunch of us, we kept him busy
Just to keep the thing seaworthy.

Yes, there weren't many like Uncle John
Who let us do our thing
Sculling his rodney around the bay
Enjoying our childhood fling.

Uncle John has long since gone
But fond memories I still see
I'll never forget the fun I had
In Uncle John's... rodney.   Submitted By: NULL