Barges by Ralph McTell Recorded by Ralph McTell Me and my brother returned to the water I saw a pike that was two feet long. Two small magicians, each with a jam jar Cast spells on the water with hazel twig wands. Country boys catch tadpoles, dive into water Made shy by their laughter, we wandered down stream And summer rolled o'er us with no complications 'Cept thinking of Mama sometimes in dreams. We stand by the drawbridge, waiting for barges Waiting around for smiles from the man. Lifting the bridge whilst watching the horses Dragging the slow boats up the canal. I do remember the times but no number After the day, but before evening comes Waiting for castles and kettles with roses Painted on barges that sailed into the sun. Oh, see the river run, that was by man begun Open the locks, let the boats sail on, Taking their castles and kettles with roses With summers of childhood leaving smiles on the man. The song has been recorded by its author Ralph McTell on the 1999 CD 'Not Till Tomorrow', which can be obtained from his website. This song owes much to Ralph’s childhood experiences. Ralph McTell was a war baby; born in 1944. His father walked out on his mother when he was young leaving her to raise Ralph and his younger brother Bruce alone. In the Summer months, the two boys would stay with their uncle and aunt and their grandparents in Banbury - the Oxfordshire town on the Oxford Canal. There they spent many hours beside the canal doing what young boys do.