Friday 2 August 2013

Messing About On The River


While inside ‘The Swan’ theatre at Stratford 
The Bard is being worshipped,
outside, in glorious sunshine,
Shakespeare’s common man is doing what he loves best:

Messing about on the river.


When the weather is fine then you know it's a sign
For messing about on the river.
If you take my advice there's nothing so nice
As messing about on the river.
There are long boats and short boats and all kinds of craft,
And cruisers and keel boats and some with no draught.
So take off your coat and hop in a boat 
Go messing about on the river. 



There are boats made from kits that reach you in bits
For messing about on the river.
Or you might want to skull in a glass-fibred hull.
Just messing about on the river.
There are tillers and rudders and anchors and cleats,
And ropes that are sometimes referred to as sheets.
With the wind in your face there's no finer place,
Than messing about on the river. 



There are skippers and mates and rowing club eights
Just messing about on the river.
There are pontoons and trots and all sorts of knots
For messing about on the river.
With inboards and outboards and dinghies you sail.
The first thing you learn is the right way to bail.
In a one-seat canoe you're the skipper and crew,
Just messing about on the river. 



There are bridges and locks and moorings and docks
When messing about on the river.
There's a whirlpool and weir that you mustn't go near
When messing about on the river.
There are backwater places all hidden from view,
And quaint little islands just awaiting for you.
So I'll leave you right now to cast off your bow,
Go messing about on the river.






Song by Tony Hatch
a popular hit in 1961

The occasion: The Stratford-upon-Avon River Festival
by the banks of the river Avon. The photos are taken from
the theatre terrace above the river.


37 comments:

  1. Wow! That's a neat song, and the pictures certainly tell the tale. Seems YOU are messing about in the river, Friko. Looks like a lot of fun! :-)

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  2. I did enjoy that post! I don't remember the song but will now. I saw similar boats on the Thames when I went upstream to Hampton Court.( in 2011 )

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  3. You've just made an old sailor, once again, hungry for the sea....

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  4. Traditions are good for us, aren't they. Even when we participate only from the sidelines.

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  5. Love the Swan Boat at the end! xoxo

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  6. ah now that looks like a fun place to be...was out messing about today too...we are on vacation....and even rode in one of those paddle boats, though ours was a dragon...and we did the harbor here in baltimore....did give a nod to poe today, who is buried here...its a cool song and def fits the occassion...smiles...have a great weekend

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  7. I remember that song...and I think I would have been relieved to enjoy the boats after that performance of Titus Andronicus.

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  8. OOhhh How lovely... and all very gentle and calm. Summer is turning out to be the loveliest time. it appears. Christine

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  9. Looks like a perfect day out in perfect summer weather!

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  10. Wonderful photos, I felt nice summer day and people that have fun in the Festival.
    The song goes well to your pictures, Frico, although I didn't know this song in 1961.
    have a nice weekend!

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  11. Prachtige foto,s dat is genieten de zwaan vind ik wel heel mooi.

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  12. Now I need a day to mess about on the river!

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  13. This is my kind of day, whether its the river or the Bay of Fundy, it is always fun to mess aboot the river, Eh. The way this is written, along with the fabulous photos made me feel like I was there. It also brought a smile to my face. Thank you and have a wonderful day.

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  14. What a great song. Could be Gilbert and Sullivan all over again.

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  15. A delightful post! It brings back memories of when my family and friends did our own messing on a river.

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  16. I don't think I've ever heard that song, but I loved the lyrics. Messing about in boats is a wonderful summer pastime. It looks like you had a great day in the sunshine by the river.

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  17. this post itself is a fun little moment from messing on the river. how delightful!

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  18. I remember that song so well. Lovely photos.

    XO
    WWW

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  19. Looks like loads of people are "messing about on the river!"

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  20. Wonderful photos Friko, of this obviously well attended festival.

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  21. I sang as I read this. I used to love that tune but had never really registered the words. It's great!
    Thanks for the memories.
    Di
    xxxxx

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  22. Very cool post! Love it!!! Aloha from New York State...where we can mess about on the Hudson River!!!

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  23. I was about to compliment you on your poetry when I read that the verses were a song by Tony Hatch! Messing about on the river sounds a treat. I did a bit of it when in England. Topped the day off with fish 'n chips - perfect!

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  24. Love it. I hope to see the Thames again. Then I can enjoy messing around on the river. There could be no better way to enjoy the day.

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  25. That swan boat is hysterical. I don't know that I've boated on a river - usually out on a lake.

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  26. Friko, what fun to be able to mess about at the river. What good fortune to be able to attend that Shakespeare performance. Is not terrific to emerge from a theatre and know that you've really seen something that truly touched you.

    xo

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  27. That looks so lovely, I wish I was there. Must be so nice to stroll along the river, looking at the booth and just enjoy life.

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  28. Hi Friko .. love the lyrics and can just see Stratford now all decked out along the river front - the razzamatazz of life on shore, the peace of being able to cast off and go with the flow ...

    Then the chance to sit high above and view the setting from a dining terrace in the afternoon sun - what a great life! So pleased the play was such a success ...

    Enjoy your rain! Cheers Hilary

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  29. Delightful, Friko. The boats look so festive and your text is so inviting.

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  30. That's not a song I know but I love the lyrics and your photos illustrate it perfectly! And what did you see at the Swan? Oh, how I would have loved to join you!

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  31. I'm not familiar with the song, but the lyrics convey the lightheartedness of summer and water. My husband would love this; he likes nothing better than "messing about on the ocean," or puttering on his boat.

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  32. The pictures and the song are a perfect fit. Now I'll have to google that song. ;)

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  33. What a lovely song! And the pictures accompany the lines so well.
    Thanks for sharing such a delightful combo. And such a summery one too! :)

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  34. My favorite is the swan paddle boat, although I would have to be a passenger without pedals. Dianne

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  35. And these days , you have very small rubber dinghies overflowing with three large lads , a cool box and a crate of beer messing about on the river .

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  36. ah, that song takes me back. :-) What fun!

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