Back in the day, before there was Radio and Television, much less the Internet, poetic recitations were common at parties, as a form of entertainment. In 1904-05 the poet, Robert Service published his 1st book of poems which went viral, 1905 style.
His poems ,The Shooting of Dan McGrew and The Cremation of Sam McGee were the best know poems or recitations in the world, literally. They became known by the Intelligentsia, as; Newspaper poetry. But Mr. Service by 1910, was the richest writer in the world. His books of poetry were selling all over the world and folks were reciting them in every Pub and bar. They were fun, Entertaining, in fact they were the first Rappers of poetry
Robert Service wrote those poems in The Yukon, Canada where he was working as a bank clerk. Canadians claim him as one our own but the fact is, he was born in Scotland in 1874 and came to Canada in 1898. By 1908 he was living in Paris, France and never came back to Canada. Why? Because he was hanging out with the likes of Earnest Hemingway and James Joyce. They did not consider him an Artist like themselves but he was the making a fortune from the sale of his books and everyone knew his name.
I wrote a play with Jon Dwyer my son, based on his life and works; 'Good Evening I'm Robert Service.' We bring him back to life, on stage (He died in 1958) and we work shopped the play before audiences in Toronto last year at the Arts and Letters Club and Dora Keogh's Pub in Toronto with David Ferry as Director and Adam Brazier as Mr. Service. We hope to take it further soon. But it was well received. They are great, busy theater men, both. We were lucky to get them.
My Uncles, Gilbert Dwyer, Peter, Bill and my father Frank were fine performers of Service recitations and others at family parties when we were growing up. (Truth be told; Uncle Gilbert was hands down, the best actor.) And it was not any Tom, Dick or Harriett who could pull this off successfully. They didn't read the poem; They acted them out. Voice, emotion, presence.
Recitations were a true staple of parties thru the 20 Century and early 21st and Service's works were their Shakespeare. They were funny, smart and always had a twist at the end.
If you would like to read the play, e mail me at frank_dwyer@rogers.com. I will forward you a copy.
It has Mr Service telling poignant, funny stories about his life and from time to time he performs a few of his famous recitations.
But there were a few poems which Gilbert and Frank liked but they had no idea where they came from or who wrote them. I offer them here for your entertainment and to help improve your stand up routine;
An Angler's Love Letter
Dear Maggie the Trout are elusive,
In fact, their most frightfully fly,
And though I am seldom abusive,
My stock of expletive is dry;
I've practiced all manner of cunning
with deftness exceeding fine,
And being quite out of the running,
I thought I'd drop you a line;
I am not altogether contented
with matters just now as they stand;
Though gossip no doubt has invented,
The stories my fancy expand;
But this of all horrors is clearest
Some beast with the venom of stealth
Is dangling in front of my dearest,
A hook that is baited with wealth.
Don't rise, take a tip from the fishes
who've crippled my patience at last;
Don't list to the magical swishes,
Of he who maneuvers the cast;
It isn't with love he has baited
The barb on the end of his line,
And if to some hook you are fated...
Oh may it dear Maggie be mine.
Memorize it and recite at your next party, preferably late in the evening when wine has worked it's magic. You'll be famous.
Lastly;
A Pious Parson;
A pious Parson, good and true, went sailing o'er the seas,
When suddenly there fiercely blew, a strong and sweeping breeze
He thought the storm, the ship would wreck, his heart was sore afraid,
So he sought the Captain on the deck and found him undismayed.
The Captain seeing his awful fear;
Led him up to where this preacher of the Lord
Could hear the sailors curse and swear;
Now, you will see the captain said, if danger hovered nigh;
They'd all be on their knees instead and be prepared to die.
The Parson saw these words were true;
And was amazed just how the sailors knew,
Just when to curse and swear.
Later on, another storm, came fiercer than before
The Parson heard with wild alarm the ocean's angry roar;
He sought the deck, in eager dread, to near the Sailors get;
He listened... and he bowed his head;
Thank God they're swearing yet
You're on your own .Go Entertain...
FANTASTIC
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