D Bm G
The mist lies low above the water
D Em A7
The frost is spreading on the ground
D Bm
Frozen leaves from the trees
G Em
Crunch beneath my weary feet
D Em A7 D
As I trudge along the towpath by the pound
I can smell smoke rising from the chimney
The stove is still alight and glowing bright
With a log thrown on the fire
For the evening I'll retire
And hunker down with music for the night
I've got hot water when I've boiled a kettle
Battery power when the engine has been run
The coal will have to last
'Til the coal boat next comes past
It's been months since I last saw the summer sun
When at last dormant nature awakens
And hedgerows show signs of turning green
There's no arguing with CaRT
Winter moorings I'll depart
And cast off for an enforced change of scene
Where I try to befriend those frenzied boaters
Who think boating is a contact sport
They've seen barging on TV
So we've a leisure boat grand prix
For boats rocked in their wake they give no thought
Then there's the threat of day hire dodgem
Boats crewed by drunks in silly hats
As they lurch from side to side
You just pray they won't collide
If they miss you going they'll get you coming back
There'll be arguments, abuse, blood pressures rising
Grumpy anglers, speeding cyclists, queues at locks
It's not a fast way to slow down,
It's a theatre for clowns
I'll be happy when all this madness stops
Then it's time to moor up for the winter
No more crazy boaters, fingers crossed
Falling temperatures prelude
A seasons welcome solitude
With only one companion - Jack Frost
The red mist is draining from my system
As white frost is spreads across the ground
Frozen leaves from the trees
Crunch beneath my dancing feet
As I skip along the towpath by the pound
© I H Bruce 2017
Those who live on canal boats see all the seasons and there must be a great difference between
their summer and wintertime experiences. This song describes an imagined scenario where a
boater, who has survived a harsh and lonely winter on their boat, sees all the summertime antics
of holiday boaters and rejoices as the peace of their wintertime existence to returns.
The Mist
Capo 2