The Roarin’ Forties

There is a lake where people go,
Not far from Ballyduff.
It’s called the Roarin’ Forties, though
The water’s seldom rough.
We all went down one sunny day
To have a decent swim.
John appeared to know the way,
So we all followed him.

We came upon the sandy shore
Quite free of kids and dogs.
We knew quite well what lay in store,
And changed into our togs.
But oh, the water looked so cold!
Was this a big mistake?
But John, so fearless and so bold,
Dived headfirst in the lake.

“Flippin’ ‘eck!” he shouted out,
“The water’s really warm!
Cross my heart, there is no doubt
I feel in sparkling form.”
He did the backstroke with some style,
Then called out with a grin,
“Don’t be so afraid or I’ll
Come out and throw you in.”

Mistrustfully, we looked at him,
As though his brains were mashed.
But Dave said, “Sure, I’d like a swim,”
And in the lake he splashed.

“Beautiful!” he called with zest.
“It isn’t cold at all!
I have to say, I’m most impressed.
I’m having quite a ball.”
He waded back and forth with style,
Then called out with a grin,
“Don’t be so afraid or I’ll
Come out and throw you in.”

Mistrustfully, we raised our eyes,
As though we feared the worst,
When Monica, to our surprise,
Went jumping in feet first.

“Get up the yard!” we heard her say.
“Who said that it was freezing?
The temperature is quite okay –
In fact, it’s rather pleasing.”
She did the butterfly with style,
Then called out with a grin,
“Don’t be so afraid or I’ll
Come out and throw you in.”

Mistrustfully, we all stayed put,
So wary of her cunning,
Determined not to go in, but
Then Nettsy went in running.

“In you come!” she called to us,
While floating on the surface.
“This really gives you quite a buzz,
No need to feel so nervous!”
She floated up and down with style,
Then called out with a grin,
“Don’t be so afraid or I’ll
Come out and throw you in.”

Mistrustfully, we looked away,
Our deep suspicions thriving,
But then, to their abject dismay,
I suddenly went diving.

“Lovely here!” I called with glee,
Back to the timid twosome,
“Surely you can both trust me?
I do not find it gruesome!”
I did the breaststroke with some style,
Then called out with a grin,
“Don’t be so afraid or I’ll
Come out and throw you in.”

Mistrustfully, they bit their nails,
Uncertain if they oughta.
Then Aido shouted, “Watch out, whales!”
And splashed into the water.

“One to go!” he shouted back
To Brenda, looking lonely.
“This really is almighty craic,
Don’t be the one and only!”
He did the front crawl with some style,
Then called out with a grin,
“Don’t be so afraid or I’ll
Come out and throw you in.”

Mistrustfully, she looked around,
Then back at us, quite scathing.
Oh no, no way, she stood her ground,
The lady not for bathing.

For ages, she withstood our groans
That she should come in swimming.
But she just stood there throwing stones,
And watching them go skimming.
She said she was delighted that
She had not been born braver,
But soon her jeering fell quite flat,
And she began to waver.

Eventually, she had no choice.
No longer could she fight us,
And as we cheered with one loud voice,
She jumped in just to spite us.

“You rotten sods!” she screamed out loud.
“What was all that teasing?
I hope you all feel very proud!
The bloody water’s freezing!”
She swam around with certain style,
Then called out with a grin.
“I had you going for a while!
You thought I’d not get in!”

Then John piped up; “I’m getting bored,
I’ve been in here for ages.
Swimming up and down, ignored,
While you come in in stages.
Let’s go to Alexandra Docks,
Near where the Jonathan Swift is.
There’s swimming just beyond the rocks –
It’s called the Freezin’ Fifties…”