A poem invoking memories of Manitoulin’s most famous ghost town

To the Expositor:

MICHAEL’S BAY BALL

There in Michael’s Bay was a ball,

the best you ever saw 

The boys were there from far and near,

and some from Tehkummah.

There was a boy from Big Lake town,

got washed on Swash’s daughter,

He swears that he will marry her,

if it costs them each a quarter.

Charlie McDonald, he was there,

and dressed up very handsome,

He thought no other girl was fair,

except Miss Bella Cranston.

We’d lots of pie and cake to eat,

and plenty of good turkey,

And a couple that set down,

they numbered nearly 30.

Professor Craig, he rubbed the strings,

and so did Phillip Smeltzer,

Walter Chisholm played right good,

and Jim Hilson more than belched her.

Townline Sandy McPhail,

he was there,

and danced just like a whale,

And when the beer was passed around,

he drank about a pail.

There was a dude from Collingwood,

who thought he just knew all,

But the boys who live on Manitoulin can show him how to call.

Tehkummah Albert was on hand,

but sat there like one dead,

Perhaps the reason of this was,

the beer went to his head.

There’ll be another on Wednesday night,

just down at Fossil Hill.

And if you want to have a dance,

it is there you will get your fill.

So I think I’ll end my ditty now, f

or I’ve nothing more to say,

But if you want a right good time and dance,

just go to Michael’s Bay.

Doug Tracy

Little Current