I Went Fishing

2/20/2015

I went fishing
Took some bait.
Didn’t go early,
Didn’t go late.

Caught eight fishes
To put in my pail.
Seven were mackerel,
But the eighth was a whale.

The seven were easy
To put into the tin,
But that whale caused me trouble
Before I packed him in!

Took my catch home.
What did mother say?
‘Get those eight fish out of here –
We’re having steak today!’

Anon.

7 Comments

Pittar

3/11/2017 10:18:03 am

I am sorry that I have too say this but I just discovered a spelling mistake in the funny poem you wrote. You wrote " Caught eight fishes" that's wrong because you say "Caught eight fish". Even in the plural form.
P.S: I'm just 11 years old.

oh yes daddy

2/24/2021 05:33:37 pm

your right

Charlie

10/15/2022 03:00:25 am

Ahem, “you’re” right.

Sorry, it’s my overly pedantic nature.

I only came to this website for nostalgia. When I was 5 years old my mother enrolled me in elocution classes and as part of some sort of competition, I had to stand up, mortified, in front of what I thought was a million people (more like 100 in a hall) and recite this. It most certainly did not go down in the history books, but it left scars on me I tell you.

The memory of that terrible day has lasted a long time. That was nearly 45 years ago now. Strange how the mind works.

James

4/21/2017 12:40:17 am

When I was very young, we had to go to the White Rock Pavilion in Hastings with the school and I had to recite this poem in a poetry competition. I seem to remember I was up first, I got the lowest score of everyone, that includes all the other competitions that day. However it has stuck with me for the rest of my life, although I had forgotten the 3rd verse!

Charlie

10/15/2022 03:05:35 am

Well, I had a similarly traumatic experience, but in Ireland. I think that poem is why I never actually took up fishing. The idea always caused the hair to stand up on my arms.

I salute you, brother. =)

Audrey Jean Childs

3/14/2022 02:33:18 am

Has anyone seen this in boys chorus form? I taught it years ago , lost the music, and now I can't find it anywhere! I've looked at every choral literature website I could find. Any help would be appreciated!

Craig

5/21/2022 11:37:24 am

I went fishing took some bait
Didn’t go early didn’t go late.
Caught eight fishes to put in my pail
Seven were mackerel but the eighth was a whale.
Took my catch home what did mother say get those fishes out of here we’re having sausages today

I Went Fishing

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