HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1983-06-29, Page 70Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, June 29, 1983—Page 18b
Lucknow poet laureate was Robert Graham
Robert Graham was the ''poet laureate"
of Lucknow for more than half a century, and
during that time penned many and many a
poem. A volume of some 200 of his hand
written poems is in the public library.
A native of Ireland he came to Lucknow
when the village was just a few years old. He
was a shoemaker by trade, merchant, justice
of the peace and for many years, librarian,
serving in both the old and the new town
halls.
The following is Robert Graham's poem,
Lucknow's History written in 1907.
LUCKNOW'S HISTORY
By Robert Graham
(Written in 1907)
On past gone days we backward look,
From memory place them in a book,
Which always has been our desire,
That to relate we never tire.
The fancy yet that to us cling
As when had heard the axes ring
Through winter's air more clear the sound
When trees come tumbling to the ground.
The cheer enjoyed by young and old
Through summer's heat and winter's cold;
Primeval days all took delight
From early morn till late at night.
The joyful thought, yet tinged with grief,
Of youthful hours then was the chief
When roaming in the forest wild,
Where Indian dwelt, the native child.
Through forest dense had often strayed,
Where.redman's camp had raised its head;
The trees were thick and tall had grew,
Where birds would sing and over flew,
The woodpick's tap, think hear it still,
And bluejay's note that's loud and shrill.
The owl and hawk then perched on high,
Midway between the earth and sky,
With glaring eyes still looking down
For mouse or squirrel on the ground;
While horned owl at the twilight
In doleful hoots that took delight,
That sounded far on midnight air.
Had oft been taken for a bear.
On pine tree top would eagles rest
And built therein their basket nest,
Then soaring would they disappear
Beyond the vision and the ear.
The game then thick through forest dense,
In flocks and drove that were immense,
The redman's pride and great delight,
That fed them all by day and night.
Through cedar groves would rabbits rush,
While partridge flock flew through the bush.
The squirrels chatter on the tree,
Could frequent hear, but seldom see.
Through cedar swamp the sun scarce shone,
And `back as pitch with glow of moon.
The stars at night perhaps could see,
By climbing high upon a tree.
While growl of bear did oft affright,
When wolf went prowling through the night.
Then in the forest thick and wild,
Had dwelt the Indian and his child,
Where nature gave the food of life,
That fed the redman and his wife.
And as we dream of days of yore,
When fathers come from Britain's, shore,
Into the wilderness abode,
Without a compass or a road.
Their stalwart form that still admire,
That fell the trees by axe and fire,
And hardship think that daily felt,
Where animal and Indian dwelt,
With buoyant heart and cheerful mind,
That to their work each day inclined,
All strong and healthy that suppose,
Made forest blossom as the rose.
Where Lucknow stand once was a swamp
Of pine and cedar dark and damp.
Old Stauffer first the pioneer,
That barrels drank of Miller's beer,
And stronger yet made at the still,
When running the first lumber mill.
As appetites those days were keen
For things contained in a Shebeen.
Henderson's come in fifty-one,
In Kinloss settled on the land,
Three robust men of strength and skill,
That flour brought from Piper's mill,
BEST WISHES
TO THE PEOPLE OF
LUCKNOW
ON THE OCCASION OF YOUR
125TH ANNIVERSARY
Maurer Contracting
Company Limited
728 Queen Si., Kincardine
396-3388
Went by the blaze through wilderness,
The needs of life for to possess.
O'er twenty miles through trees and swamp,
Would often through the season tramp.
Of which in bag, or that in sack,
The flour carry on their back.
Then Webster's came in fifty-four,
And others too, of many more,
That settled on the Ashfield side,
To end of life there did abide.
Walter Armstrong, of Wawanosh,
Some goods had bought with ready cash,
Tobacco, socks, a little tea,
With settlers' wants that did agree,
A keg of whiskey also too,
That custom to him daily drew,
From people dwelling in the bush,
Would day and night to Watty rush.
And Big Jim Webster chased a bear,
With handspike raised up in the air,
When bruin stood against a tree,
Then Jim and handspike had to flee,
And which that night went to a pen,
A pig then carried to his den,
The only one of which we know,
That Charlie Robb had wintered through.
One night when coming from a bee,
John ,Matheson and Jack O'Fee,
An owl perched high with doleful sound,
Had thought that wolves their track had
found.
Then through the woods did fast retreat,
With shortened breath and nimble feet,
And thought behind could hear them roar,
Until had reached their shanty door.
Of which I state, that if you doubt,
From others that enquire about,
Steel Murdoch living yet, and well,
That of the facts can plainly tell.
When victory from Crimea come,
Balaclava named the Miller home.
M. Campbell was first merchant here,
In fifty-eight that did appear,
And king of merchants in his day,
Respected by straight honest way,
While people then come far and near,
To taste and drink of Campbell's beer,
1
ROBERT GRAHAM AND HIS WIFE,
ANNIE [BOWLES] GRAHAM
A keg of whiskey keeping too,
That many Scot and Paddy threw.
James Sommerville, that must admit,
Laid out the ground for village site;
One Hamlin was the engineer
Which on the scene did first appear,
That run the line of lot and street
As straight as any that you meet,
And Sommerville then built the mill,
Of wheat to grind but none to sell.
Where Mathie Tom work'd by the day,
Turn to page 19b.
CONGRATULATIONS
TO THE PEOPLE OF
LUCKNOW
ON THE OCCASION OF YOUR
125 ANNIVERSARY
B
AECHLER
Atititteheites isetvivikovar
150 SHOPPERS SQUARE
GODERICH
524-8600