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The Salmon Poachers

from The Old Songs’ Home by Shelley Posen

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©1997 Shelley Posen Well Done Music BMI
Tune: Warlike Seamen (Copper Family)

lyrics

Come all you gallant poachers and listen unto me
I’ll tell you of the sport we had upon the range so free
To poach some fish was our intent as you may understand
To dine, to sup, to serve them up and so our menu planned.

Our valiant crew set forth at dawn the market for to wander
There many’s a noble fish we saw—pike, tuna, bass, and flounder
Till passing by a tiny stall we spied upon the ice
A salmon great meant for the plate—we bought him in a trice.

His scales they shone like silver, his tail was broad and flared
His eyes were clear as window glass and at us fiercely glared
His teeth were sharp as scimitars, his gills a ruby red
As grand a fish as we could wish to feed or to be fed.

Now one of us suggested that we slice him into steaks
And grill them on the barbecue to serve with crisp corn cakes
The rest of us were much dismayed and said t’would be a shame
For t’was our goal to poach him whole and so we did proclaim.

We bore that great fish home, my boys, we scaled him clean and neat
We found a kettle long enough for him to lie in straight
We swaddled him in cheesecloth and with string so trimly trussed
Like old King Tut we laid him out in his sarcophagus.

We poached that fish with herbs and wine ten minutes to the inch
We verified that he was done all with a tender pinch
We drew him gently from the broth and ere he could grow cool
The cloth unwrapped, with sauces napped as bright as any jewel.

The first bite that we took, my boys, it made us for to wonder
That fish so moist and flavourful, neither overdone nor under
We feasted long into the night with wives and children dear
We ate our fill, from tail to gill, of salmon without peer.

So now we’ve eat that fish, my boys, and homeward we disperse
We’ll praise fish poachers everywhere in melody and verse
We’ll drink a glass of good white wine and pledge undying love
To those that cook and do not shirk the kitchen and the stove.

credits

from The Old Songs’ Home, released January 1, 2003

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Shelley Posen Ottawa, Ontario

SHELLEY POSEN is a Canadian songwriter and performer of his own and traditional songs. He writes in many styles and on many subjects. His songs are widely recognized for their wit, craftsmanship, and the profound effect many seem to have on listeners.

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