Coon Hunting.

        Canadians oft by light of moon
        Love to go a hunting coon,
        But this our tale it is no yarn,
        While chopping down tree Henry Karn
        Found therein a hollow chamber
        Full of coons who there did clamber,
        It made them a home superior,
        Warm and snug in the interior.

        And he did count therein eleven
        Who long had found it a safe haven,
        But it is sad to read their fate,
        For out of them he slaughtered eight.
        But trouble to him now occurs
        What shall he do with those fine furs,
        Shall he grand overcoat display
        Or make them into robe for sleigh.

James McIntyre

James McIntyre was a Canadian poet, most notable for his poetry concerning cheese, cheese-making, dairying, and dairy products. Often referred to as 'The Cheese Poet,' McIntyre's work is celebrated for its earnestness and unintentional humor, making him both a beloved and an infamous figure in literary circles. He emigrated from Scotland to Canada in 1851 and settled in Ingersoll, Ontario, where he became a successful businessman and community leader.

James McIntyre

Lines On Thorold.

James McIntyre, Simple Poetry

Canadian Rivers And Lakes.

James McIntyre, Simple Poetry

Beachville.

James McIntyre, Simple Poetry

Farrington, 1866, Factory System.

James McIntyre, Simple Poetry

English

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Canadian Hunter.

        Of Kentucky's great hunter bold
        Old Daniel Boone oft tales are told,
        Of wild beasts he had no fear,
        But dangers loved that pioneer.

        Canada has hunters many,
        Yet perhaps there is not any
        For skill and boldness can compare
        With our own Daniel Hebner.

        In youth he was both tall and strong,
        And supple as a willow thong,
        He never fled from savage bear,
        Though bruin on hind legs would rear.

        In hunting mink, or fox or coon,
        He was a second Daniel Boone,
        His rifle oft brought down the deer,
        Which to his table brought good cheer.

        But through his life his highest aim
        Was to kill the savage game,
...

James McIntyre

Hunters And Trappers.

        Two hunters near to Hudson Bay,
        Their names John Grant and Tom McKay,
        Their skill and courage naught could daunt,
        The boldest one perhaps was Grant.

        The winter was their busy time,
        When all was snow and frost and rime,
        It paid best then to pull trigger,
        For then furs were better thicker.

        While setting trap Grant cut through boot
        And quick the blood gushed from his foot,
        The horrid scene, now who can paint,
        For loss of blood soon makes him faint.

        But his kind partner Tom McKay
        The rush of blood he tried to stay,
        And when its flow did somewhat slack
        He carried him upon his back.

        As homeward he doth slowly...

James McIntyre

Hunting Song

Tek a cool night, good an' cleah,
Skiff o' snow upon de groun';
Jes' 'bout fall-time o' de yeah
W'en de leaves is dry an brown;
Tek a dog an' tek a axe,
Tek a lantu'n in yo' han',
Step light whah de switches cracks,
Fu' dey 's huntin' in de lan'.
Down thoo de valleys an' ovah de hills,
Into de woods whah de 'simmon-tree grows,
Wakin' an' skeerin' de po' whippo'wills,
Huntin' fu' coon an' fu' 'possum we goes.

Blow dat ho'n dah loud an' strong,
Call de dogs an' da'kies neah;
Mek its music cleah an' long,
So de folks at home kin hyeah.
Blow it twell de hills an' trees
Sen's de echoes tumblin' back;
Blow it twell de back'ard breeze
Tells de folks we 's on de track.
Coons is a-ramblin' an' 'possums is out;
Look at dat dog; you could s...

Paul Laurence Dunbar

Bear Hunt.

        Two youths came over from York state,
        Bill Brown and Tom Dawes his mate,
        For many months they were wishing
        The sport of hunting and of fishing.

        They rowed along the lake in punt,
        When tired of fishing they would hunt,
        At river's mouth they caught fine trout,
        In woods close by they saw bear's snout.

        In front of her play little chubs,
        Fat and slick her darling cubs,
        Kind thoughts in their breasts they smother
        And cruelly they shoot the mother.

        And bullet fearful tore her jaws,
        A bloody wound, but with her paws,
        Erect in air an awful sight,
        She was prepared for her young to fight.

        But this did not daunt bo...

James McIntyre

Fight With A Bear In The Northwest.

        Two youths employed at the fur fort
        Resolved to have half day of sport,
        From Jasper House, in the far north,
        For game they joyous issued forth,
        The factor of the Hudson Bay
        Granted them a few hours play,
        And it was in cold winter time
        When thick on lake was glassy rime,
        But beneath, o'er all their route,
        They saw below big speckled trout,
        With hatchet ice they did clear,
        And the beauteous trout did spear.

        Soon bear they saw and youths did skate,
        Resolved for to seal his fate,
        A pistol shot made bruin roar,
        And from him trickled drops of gore,
        They round him skate and fresh blood drew,
        When they at him the ha...

James McIntyre

Hallowe'en.

        A tale we'll tell of what hath been
        When maids and youths kept Hallowe'en,
        It is a tale of old world lore
        What happened in the days of yore,
        When fairies danced upon the green
        So merrily on Hallowe'en,
        And witches did play many a trick
        Assisted by their auld friend Nick,
        And lovers meet around the fire
        Near to the one their hearts desire,
        For to burn nuts for to discover
        The truthfulness of their lover.
        They first did give each nut a name,
        This was Sandy, that was Jane.
        If they did blaze side by side,
        She knew her husband, he his bride,
        But if one up the chimney flew,
        One knew the other was not true.
        ...

James McIntyre