Where are the dames I used to know
In Dawson in the days of yore?
Alas, it's fifty years ago,
And most, I guess, have "gone before."
The swinging scythe is swift to mow
Alike the gallant and the fair;
And even I, with gouty toe,
Am glad to fill a rocking chair.
Ah me, I fear each gaysome girl
Who in champagne I used to toast,
or cozen in the waltz's whirl,
Is now alas, a wistful ghost.
Oh where is Touch The Button Nell?
Or Minnie Dale or Rosa Lee,
Or Lorna Doone or Daisy Bell?
And where is Montreal Maree?
Fair ladies of my lusty youth,
I fear that you are dead and gone:
Where's Gertie of the Diamond Tooth,
And where the Mare of Oregon?
What's come of Violet de Vere,
Claw-fingered Kate and Gumboot Sue?
They've crossed the Great Divide, I fear;
Remembered now by just a few.
A few who like myself can see
Through half a century of haze
A heap of goodness in their glee
And kindness in their wanton ways.
Alas, my sourdough days are dead,
Yet let me toss a tankard down . . .
Here's hoping that you wed and bred,
And lives of circumspection led,
Gay dance-hall girls o Dawson Town!
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Comments
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Nice that's there's been such a great response to this old poem. There's life in the dance-hall girls yet!
Charley Noble -
Visited Diamond toothed Gerties when we were in Dawson City a few years ago - loved this old saloon and the dancing girls there. Loved the old Gold Rush atmosphere in the town as well - interesting place to visit. Saw Robert Services's home as well - this poem is educational as well as entertaining. Glad I read it - first time on this one.
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Fourth line, second stanza, isn't that "in" a mistake?
I really like the feel of this poem and what it stands for. I like the optimistic jump on life it gives the reader. Bravo! Shancy.
MOD MEMO
Have changed it to IS -
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Checking on the internet, all the sources I find use "In now alas, a wistful ghost" but I agree with you it looks wrong and I feel "Is now alas, a wistful ghost" might make much more sense. Especially written in the role of an observer reminiscing 50 years on.
I'll leave it for now but I'll hunt out my hardback copy of this poem and adjust it if necessary.
Thanks for pointing it out.
Hope to see your name on the site again soon.
Jim
Oldpoetry Team
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Well good for him kinder than most I suspect he must have had fond memories... and a write I guess his wife went before him also if he had one lol.
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Never seen before and such a jolly romp he had. Knockout!
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I've heard of Lorna Doone, the rest I haven't, so like Service writes near the end, only a very rare group actually remember these people. It's true about many things in life, and that makes it sad and gloomy in ways.
A good piece that Service has written here, it's a touching piece, and a remembrance piece, but alas, only to a very few and in time it'll come to no one.
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