Robert Reed
Listen while I tell a true story in rhyme
Nor will I begin with once upon a time
For it was nineteen sixteen, August the first day
And my brave little men are alive and at play
There might have been tears and a funeral sad
But brave little hearts can make all heart's glad
The day was as warm as a day could be
That's why Kenneth and little Virgil with Robert Mooney
Were down to Burnt River to enjoy a swim
For one-half hour were allowed to stay in
The time was up for them to dress, they were
Giving the water a farewell caress
When look there's a fish and a beauty too
'Twas a big salmon trout came into view
Little Virgil's eyes lit with a sudden flash
After the fish he went splash splash
Never dreaming that 'twas getting deeper
And that he could not swim
Only of the fish he thought were he could win
But his hopes soon vanished to capture the fish
Save my life was his only wish
"Kenneth" he gasped as he came to the top
Which meant "get me quick before I drop"
Robert saw the struggling form sinking again
He dived in the water and under him came
Virgil clung to him firmly, holding down both his hands
Robert then began to think, they were both in death's hands
Down they would go then up again for breath
Making little headway in their struggle against death
Robert could swim but he was small
With little Virgil on his back and the use of no hands at all
When bravely to their rescue, Kenneth went
Love and hope to their hearts were sent
Virgil loosened one arm round the neck to clasp him
Still holding to Robert, taking all three again in
But quickly did Robert dart to one side
Freeing himself to save their lives
Up to the surface for a breath of air
Then Kenneth thought Robert had deserted him there
With Virgil's arms around his neck, he was getting weak
They had gotten turned around again facing the deep
But Robert was there, their lives to save
Sooner than live a coward, he would rather die brave
Kenneth saw something in the water so clear
It looked so large which seemed very queer
It was only Robert's little hand
Grasping his arm and leading the way
All brave little souls are taught to obey
When they reached the shore, Kenneth was so weak
He fell unconscious, he could not speak
Little Virgil bravely to life had clung
When revived in the shore, these words like a song came
"I clung on tight, that's just what I did"
When safe in his mother's arms, he did say
"Robert asked the Lord to save our lives today"
Then Robert told with tears of delight
How he asked God to give them strength and might
Which he did in faith in him nothing more
Brought those brave little men safely to shore
Now dear little friends if we heed the call
Of Jesus who came to rescue us all
If we anchor our faith in the guiding star
Of the beautiful light God sent from afar
To give us all courage to firmly take hold
With sweet faith and charity
Sweet love and hope
If we think of the cross that brought heavenly bliss
Then we have a life line in perils like this
And will not shun our duty to see others fall
But go hand in hand and be brothers all.
Nor will I begin with once upon a time
For it was nineteen sixteen, August the first day
And my brave little men are alive and at play
There might have been tears and a funeral sad
But brave little hearts can make all heart's glad
The day was as warm as a day could be
That's why Kenneth and little Virgil with Robert Mooney
Were down to Burnt River to enjoy a swim
For one-half hour were allowed to stay in
The time was up for them to dress, they were
Giving the water a farewell caress
When look there's a fish and a beauty too
'Twas a big salmon trout came into view
Little Virgil's eyes lit with a sudden flash
After the fish he went splash splash
Never dreaming that 'twas getting deeper
And that he could not swim
Only of the fish he thought were he could win
But his hopes soon vanished to capture the fish
Save my life was his only wish
"Kenneth" he gasped as he came to the top
Which meant "get me quick before I drop"
Robert saw the struggling form sinking again
He dived in the water and under him came
Virgil clung to him firmly, holding down both his hands
Robert then began to think, they were both in death's hands
Down they would go then up again for breath
Making little headway in their struggle against death
Robert could swim but he was small
With little Virgil on his back and the use of no hands at all
When bravely to their rescue, Kenneth went
Love and hope to their hearts were sent
Virgil loosened one arm round the neck to clasp him
Still holding to Robert, taking all three again in
But quickly did Robert dart to one side
Freeing himself to save their lives
Up to the surface for a breath of air
Then Kenneth thought Robert had deserted him there
With Virgil's arms around his neck, he was getting weak
They had gotten turned around again facing the deep
But Robert was there, their lives to save
Sooner than live a coward, he would rather die brave
Kenneth saw something in the water so clear
It looked so large which seemed very queer
It was only Robert's little hand
Grasping his arm and leading the way
All brave little souls are taught to obey
When they reached the shore, Kenneth was so weak
He fell unconscious, he could not speak
Little Virgil bravely to life had clung
When revived in the shore, these words like a song came
"I clung on tight, that's just what I did"
When safe in his mother's arms, he did say
"Robert asked the Lord to save our lives today"
Then Robert told with tears of delight
How he asked God to give them strength and might
Which he did in faith in him nothing more
Brought those brave little men safely to shore
Now dear little friends if we heed the call
Of Jesus who came to rescue us all
If we anchor our faith in the guiding star
Of the beautiful light God sent from afar
To give us all courage to firmly take hold
With sweet faith and charity
Sweet love and hope
If we think of the cross that brought heavenly bliss
Then we have a life line in perils like this
And will not shun our duty to see others fall
But go hand in hand and be brothers all.
