St Anne's Reel Lyrics

All along the banks of the old River Thames Are the rods and the reels of the old fishermen And somewhat to the surprise of some On the same shore sits an old fisher nun "I've come to get away from the rectory From the genuflect and the rosary And though it might seem strange for a nun to do Is it any stranger for me than you?" Saturday she will arise at dawn Pick up her bucket, put her wellies on Stop at the shop for maggots and worms And chop them in half just to watch them squirm Men along the banks are a fair-minded sort And well understand the need for sport So into the fraternity of fishermen They make a little room for old St Anne All along the banks of the old River Thames Are the rods and the reels of the old fishermen With the sun in the water and the wind in the trees The river is my favorite place to be You can scull, you can sail, you can paddle, you can row Launch your craft and away you go Bow to stern and deck to keel Heel to toe, play your St Anne's Reel Bait your hook Throw your line Clean your catch Drink at the pub until it's closing time