Toodle Puddle
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A man from Stanley we're here to cheer One and all from far and near Rich man, poor man, laird and gentry Have come on pushbikes and a Bentley
It's Geordie Stewart we're here to greet A man of character to be sure Never lost for words or stories Fishing tales in all their glory Some are long and of times muddled But sure to end with "Toodle Puddle"
A quiet man, not at all Like John Wayne but no' as tall Into the ring to make his mark Putting opponents on their back Undefeated, a fine example With a few black eyes from Bobbie Campbell
Despite his fitness and loads of courage In latter years he had his worries One day while trying to start his engine In his chest there was loads of twinging Doctor Doctor was his exclamation I really need an examination What can be the explanation Surely no' an operation
A quick fix for Geordie would be no use For Geordie was suffering from self-abuse Into the hospital he did go, the surgeons put on a terrific show They cut bits out and darned things back But could he now fish the Slap And Margaret cried "will he be alright" The Doctors said "I think he might" What is sure his mind is fuddled He keeps on repeating Toodle Puddle
His Stanley days are many in number Fifty years if I remember Fishing, fighting, ducking and diving That's when Geordie is usually thriving
Dugs and horses, turkeys too Geordie breeds them and sells to Folk just like you His customers come from far and yonder To look in his freezers a thing of wonder
The turkey king is what they call him Working hard from dawn to dusk Up and down that road to Smithy's Fattening them up for everyone's Chrissie Never know to dilly dally In fact, the original Arthur Daley
The road he uses an awful lot One day he's sure to run into Arnott With squeal of brakes and skid of steering Some muttered words, not very endearing Watch the corners it's not a race If you don't watch out you'll flatten Furnace Driving like that has got to stop Or we'll have to get Margaret with her lollipop
A transit van comes doon the track It's Willie Toonsley coming back He's been to Perth and Blairgowrie rakin' For floating devons or bits to make 'em Willie! Willie! get up tae Catholes The tenants waitin' he booked on Google The hut's still lockit, the boat's at anchor It's a bloke called Joe, a bit of a ......."expert" I'm in no rush old Willie growls I'll get one at Benchil after hours
Enough of that lets ponder awhile Of fishing, shooting and living in style We all have memories we'd love to share With family and friends and many mair Of Geordie's exploits and days of luck But most of all when we have been wound up For what is sure he is the master We regularly call him an irritating bas....rd
Salmon days are long and hard With fish not biting it'll drive ye mad His chatter brightens up yer day In freezing March or blooming May Passers by can only stop and gloat For we've got a telephone exchange in our boat
Tales of fishers, relatives and bosses With Mike Smith featuring in most of the stories Roddy Dickson and Jimmy Chim Of endless days of drinking Gin A fish or two in fading light Or if you're lucky one up the pipe
One things for sure there is never a lull And if there was he'd catch you with a pull He makes you look a proper muppet Shouting loud, I've went and struck it
Trudgin' the banks a weary task With mud and boulders it ain't a blast But Geordie's empire is on the tiller Recalling stories of Mr & Ms Miller He is on the oars or anchor rope Geordie's the guy to give you hope
They say the man is quite a shot If you are a goosie you have had your lot Squirrel, rabbit sometimes a shag If that gun's loaded it's in the bag For pete's sake Geordie what about some warning A bang goes off, all heads are bowed These 12 bore cartridges are bloody loud
One thing's for sure You've brought us fun, and laughs and tears For Geordie is the life and soul He is great company if the truth be told
To finish this story would not be right If I did not mention Bobby White Geordie's son-in-law and right hand man Has Geordie got a dynasty plan? But looking at young Bob's reaction I think he is driven to near distraction With Geordie's constant incessant banter It could be mistaken for a bagpipe chanter Ye'r late, ye'r late he calls each morning Debbie's pinched the car, he's doing the ironing Chalk and Cheese is best how to describe them Two brilliant chaps is everyone's opinion
Those 50 years are in the past Such wonderful memories are sure to last Great names of fishers in times gone by Are fondly remembered with bait and fly The names of Buxton, Miller and Wragg Whose catches appear in the fishing mags Their names live on as Angling Legends With the name of Stewart, the man who helped them
The gentleman's gentleman Always there at the double Happy to oblige, nothing too much trouble Geordie Stewart..................
"Mr Toodle Puddle"
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