When somebody above mentioned Bing I thought he was going to post this, part of it was the signature
tune for an old show of his. Personally though, when it conmes to fishing, I reckon the bloke in 'The
Angler' (below) had the right idea.


GONE FISHIN'

I'll tell you why I can't find you
Every time I go out to your place...

You gone fishin' (well how you know)
Well there's a sign upon your door (uh-huh)
Gone fishin' (I'm real gone man)
You ain't workin' anymore (could be)
There's your hoe out in the sun
Where you left a row half done
You claim that hoein' ain't no fun (well I can prove it)
You ain't got no ambition

Gone fishin' by a shady wady pool (Shangrila, really la)
I'm wishin' I could be that kind of fool (should I twist your arm?)
I'd say no more work for mine (welcome to the club)
On my door I'd hang a sign
Gone fishin' instead of just a-wishin'

Papa Bing (yeah Louis)
I stopped by your place a time or two lately
And you aren't home either
Well, I'm a busy man Louis. I got a lotta deals cookin'
I was probably tied up at the studio
You weren't tied up you dog
You was just plain old...

Gone fishin' (bah-boo-bah-boo-bah-boo-bah-boo-bah)
There's a sign upon your door (Pops, don't blab it around, will you?)
Gone fishin' (keep it shady, I got me a big one staked out)
Mmm, you ain't workin' anymore (I don't have to work, I got me a piece of
Gary)
Cows need milkin' in the barn (I have the twins on that detail, they each
take a side)
But you just don't give a darn (give 'em four bits a cow and hand lotion)
You just never seem to learn (man, you taught me)
You ain't got no ambition (you're convincin' me)

Gone fishin' (bah-boo-dah-do-dah-do-dah-do)
Got your hound dog by your side (that's old Cindy-Lou goin' with me)
Gone fishin' (mmm-hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm)
Fleas are bitin' at


THE ANGLER

It was on a summer's morning all in the month of May,
My line and hook were in my hand as by the Boyne I strayed,
I soon espied a maiden who did my sense confound,
My line and hook went in the brook and never yet were found.

Then I approached this lovely maid, saying "Matchless Queen of Troy
Or was it Cupid sent you here poor anglers to decoy?
Or are you the bright morning star that rises in the west,
Or Luna bright that rules by night when lovers are at rest".

She shyly made answer, saying "Sir don't tantalize,
I know not those you mention and your praise I despise,
I'm but a shepherd's daughter who came bathing to the Boyne,
Your company withdraw from me, your rod and line go find".

"My line and rod I value not, love, gold will purchase more,
But my heart is truly captured, my cailin mile stor
Do not be shy, with me comply and I'll make you my bride,
I've fifty acres of good land along the Boyne side".

She gave consent and off we went down to her father's place,
Her parents they were satisfied when first they saw my face,
The Banns were quickly published and joined we were for life,
So, instead of trout or salmon, I caught a lovely wife.


There was a song to this air which was well known in Limerick, about a young
man who went out fishing, and met with better luck than he expected. I have
a ballad-sheet copy of the whole song, but the first and last verses will be
sufficient here. I write the air from memory.

I often heard the Limerick people sing to this air Byron's two-verse poem
beginning "I saw thee weep".

As I roved out one morning down by a river side,
To catch some trout and salmon where the stream did gently glide;
Down by the brook my way I took and there by chance did spy
A lovely maid all in the shade, who smiled and passed me by.

With hand in hand we walked along down by her father's place;
Her parents they were satisfied when first they saw my face.
The banns were quickly published and joined we were for life:
So instead of trout or salmon--O, I caught a virtuous wife.

cf. Joyce No. 10, p 8.