ROAMIN’ IN THE GLOAMIN’
by Stewart Berg
An ode to evenings in Austin, in the vein of Harry Lauder's "Roamin' in the Gloamin'." Where that work concerns walks about the river Clyde, this is about walking the streets of that Texas city.
Roamin’ in the gloamin’
On the bonnie banks of Clyde
— Henry Lauder, Roamin’ in the Gloamin’
I’ve seen lots of bonnie lasses
In my travels wide,
But my heart this hour
Is set on bonnie Kate McBride.
And though I ain’t a fella
Who’ll throw a word away,
I surprise myself sometimes
With all I’ve got to say.
Roamin’ in the gloamin’
In and out the bars of Sixth;
Roamin’ in the gloamin’
With my lassie me affixed.
When the sun does set,
That’s the time that we love best —
O it’s lovely roamin’ in the gloamin’!
Last night, in midst our roamin’,
We were sitting side by side;
I near asked Kate then and there
If she’d be my bride.
So, today, I went to jewelers,
And bought my dear a ring.
I suppose I’ll talk some more tonight,
And, for her, even sing.
Roamin’ in the gloamin’
In and out the bars of Sixth;
Roamin’ in the gloamin’
While we try this place on Fifth.
When the sun does set,
That’s the time that we love best —
O it’s lovely roamin’ in the gloamin’!
One day, we’ll come back here;
I know it will be grand.
We’ll walk about our memories,
Reminiscin’ hand-in-hand.
Kate will say she can’t believe
It was truly we two;
I’ll kiss her quick and then’ll say:
“Let’s redo our I do’s!”
Roamin’ in the gloamin’
In and out the bars of Sixth;
Roamin’ in the gloamin’
With our dreams intermixed.
When the sun does set,
That’s the time that we love best —
O it’s lovely roamin’ in the gloamin’!
Mr. Berg grew up split between rural Texas and a Seattle suburb. After graduating from Pacific Lutheran University in 2014, he moved to Austin, where he began publishing his Miscellanea series of eBooks before joining the Press. He lives in Marble Falls, Texas.