'Twas a midsummer day
in the town of Loon Lake
when arose such a sound
only a melodeon could make.
in the town of Loon Lake
when arose such a sound
only a melodeon could make.
The chords were all wrong
but old Jim didn't care.
He picked out a tune
that his cornet could blare.
The neighbors were startled
from their afternoon rest
by a horn blowing fanfares
with boisterous zest.
from their afternoon rest
by a horn blowing fanfares
with boisterous zest.
With a huff and a puff
that made people talk,
Uncle Gus loved to make
his clarinet squawk.
that made people talk,
Uncle Gus loved to make
his clarinet squawk.
A trumpet and sax
joined in on the chorus
with a noise that wasn't
a little bit raucous.
Though deaf as a post
was poor Grandma Sadie,
was poor Grandma Sadie,
she tightened her grip
on a very small pine tree.
on a very small pine tree.
Only one music instrument
Aunt Bertha could play.
It had just two notes
but it blew you away.
Aunt Bertha could play.
It had just two notes
but it blew you away.
The clamor was much too much
noise for the dog
who howled in a key
that was not in the song.
noise for the dog
who howled in a key
that was not in the song.
It's like Christmas in July
when the band comes to play
in Loon Lake, Wisconsin
on a midsummer day.
when the band comes to play
in Loon Lake, Wisconsin
on a midsummer day.
* * *
The names of the musicians and ladies
on this photo postcard
are unknown.
on this photo postcard
are unknown.
Only the photographer's caption
helps identify the time and place.
Loon Lake – Wis.
09.
The rest of their story
is left to our imagination.
is left to our imagination.
This is my contribution to Sepia Saturday
where every day counts.
where every day counts.
13 comments:
Loved the way you built up from the individual pictures to the group photograph at the end - that came as a surprise.
You do come up with some of the most unimaginable groupings. Loved this one! Who cared about the sound - they were simply having fun and isn't that the point of it all!
My vote goes to Aunt Bertha -- armed to the teeth!
Goodness! What an amazing photo! I wonder what the real story is behind that gun-toting lady.
I suppose Loon Lake is named after the bird, not after the kind of characters who live nearby? Aunt Bertha was clearly not going to put up with any nonsense!
All those characters brought to life again with your clever poem.
What a raucous time those 09'ers were having. No laughter there either, just good old hold onto your trees musicians and their ladies! Good for you becoming the poet!
Whether Christmas or Spring
Whatever the Sepia Quest
For music and images
Your posts are the best
That is priceless!! Such a clever rhyme for such an intriguing photo. I love Aunt Bertha -- what a gem. But I have to wonder ... what is Uncle Gus holding in his left hand?
@PattyF - a German pipe, hence the "huff and puff" line. Its tobacco smoke probably tainted the inside of his clarinet something awful.
That is an amazing image and as Little Nell said, you brought them to life.
You are never at a loss to go with the theme. Only you can make a summertime photo perfect for Christmas. This was fun! Like the others, I love Bertha!
Absolute perfection! I loved every revealing moment. I am passing this along to friends who love fun.
Post a Comment