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.