The Time Dad Took Up Dancin'

[margymac]

Quite a few years ago, when my sister was living in Victoria, she sent me a copy of this poem. Unfortunately, she did not include the author's name. I was wondering if anyone knows who wrote it and could I get a copy from them.
The copy I have, looks something like this.......


The Time Dad Took Up Dancin'

He dropped the bombshell late one night,
We thought he was romancin'
But Dad declared with certainty
He thought he'd take up dancin'.

"Anyone could learn to dance"
He said, "'T was common sense."
His style was sure original
But made us all grow tense.

That Dad was not a dancer,
To this we fact we must admt,
When to the dance-halls he would go,
We kids would have a fit.

No sooner had the band tuned up,
When he'd take to the floor.
Re: his performance -
One could class his exhibition.... Poor!

You see, he'd driven tractors
For more than half his life,
So round and round the dance floor
He'd drive poor Mum, his wife!

He'd grip her like a steerin' wheel
Then for the music wait,
And as the band began to play
He'd slow accelerate.

He'd start her off in lower range,
They glided slowly round,
It only took him minutes 'tho
When second gear he found.

The tempo now it rose a bit.
He started to rehearse.
And when they'd hit a corner
He'd throw her in reverse!

And all the while he'd whistle
As he travelled on with pride.
He knew that Mum would stick it out;
She'd stay just for the ride.

He never heeded music;
Would go at his own pace,
And now that he had hit top gear
Mum's heart began to race.

He opened up the throttle wide,
Which filled her heart with dread.
She knew she couldn't bail out now,
Altho' her face was red.

He ploughed on at a roarin' pace.
He thought his efforts fruitful.
Mum was quietly praying
That he'd slip her into neutral!

He motored on with gusto,
The audience were stunned!
They'd never seen such dancin'.
And the motor he still gunned!

And nothing now deterred him.
He just would not be foiled.
We wondered what would happen
If his radiator boiled!

He soomed along undaunted;
In the world he'd not a care.
Mum thought that she'd been flaunted
And the pins flew out her hair.

His timing was atrocious.
The rhythm? He just blew it.
The audience they heard him say,
"You see, there's nothing to it."

"If you can drive a fergy,
Then surely you can dance.
You just combine with common sense
And then your style enhance.":

He pondered as he went along
As faster he did pep,
Why no-one on the dance floor
With him and Mum kept step.

Reluctantly he called a halt.
The audience were wowin;
They reckoned Dad was heard to say
He'd done a full day's ploughin'!

[Maureen K Clifford]

i've never read it before but I love it - reminded me of exactly how my ex used to dance....must be a country thing

One of our clever poets will know for sure..probably Peely...thanks for sharing it....Great fun

Cheers

Maureen

[Heather]

It's a great poem. Be good to know who wrote it.

[Bob Pacey]

Detective Bob is on the trail but might not get back to it until tonight.



Bob

[warooa]

Will be impressive sluething PI Pacey . . . as it seems to have Peely stumped.

Cute little poem though. Good luck.

Marty

[Bob Pacey]

Mate i can not even find out peoples real names so it will be a bloody miracle.


But in true Queensander form i will have a go


Bob

[margymac]

Thanks everyone, I love the poem and intend to recite it soon. Just wish I knew who wrote it. Please keep passing the message on, I'm sure someone knows someone that might know someone who knows someone that might have been the author.