Dancing clown

[Ian Adrian Millar]

DANCING CLOWN

'Twas a summer day in Gloucester town,
Where a gentle fog had settled down,
To George's bank, and fishing bound,
In a schooner named the Dancing Clown.

John Coffin was the skipper's name,
The largest catch his claim to fame,
The wild Atlantic his to tame,
A hard profession on the bounding main

Flounder, haddock, some cod as well,
Hauled into dories that rode the swell,
Fog muted the ring of a far distant bell,
Guiding home a heartwarming knell.

A hold full of fish, a wind in her sail,
An escort of dolphin and maybe a whale,
Returned to Gloucester, that salty old town,
The skipper and crew of the old Dancing Clown.

Ian Adrian Millar

[Keith at Tregenna]

Thanks, interesting - have you any further general information.

Realise this is Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Wonder if John Coffin is part of:

THE COFFIN FAMILY OF BOSTON: http://www.uelac.org/Loyalist-Info/e...sann-Smith.pdf

Regards, Keith.

[Ian Adrian Millar]

Keith: Poem is just based on the hundreds of schooners that fished the Grand Banks out of Gloucester, Massachusetts and all fictitious. Coffin is a name found in New England as you know. I served with a bosun by the name of Coffin while aboard the cutter EASTWIND out of Boston. Often went fishing in the Gloucester/Cape Ann area resulting in some nice flounder fish frys. Dancing Clown the name of the schooner came from my grand daughter who happened to mention a dancing clown on TV which I overheard and used. Hope you are all staying well and safe from the virus.

All the best

Ian

[Keith at Tregenna]

Thanks Ian, the background helps appreciate all more.

Keith.