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Tales from River’s End -
The Singing River Welcomes Spring’s Minstrel of the Dawn
By Jan Edwards
“The Minstrel of the Dawn is here
To make you laugh and bend your ear…” - Gordon Lightfoot
Greetings from River’s End !
Winter has been ebbing and flowing with the changing winds
from the north since Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on
Groundhog’s Day. Our wood burning stove has warmed our bones
on those nights the temperature has dipped into the ‘40’s.
But one day last week, the dogs woke me to go out just at
dawn when I witnessed what I think was the first Spring
Minstrel of the Dawn show down here at the end of the river.
With the tides of winter, the mouth of the San Bernard is
again completely closed, but it’s still the Singing River.
Even though he’s having some trouble finding his own voice,
I think old San Bernard has a couple of tricks up his sleeve
and this blue sky, sun shiny day, I think he used them all.
The words of Gordon Lightfoot’s The Minstrel of the Dawn
came bubbling up in my mind and could easily have been
written about the old San Bernard that morning…
“A minstrel of the dawn is near
Just like a step’ n fetchit here
He’s like an old time troubador
Just wanting life and nothing more…”
The first thing I noticed was the glass calm
river and the group of Black Bellied Whistling Ducks gliding
toward the other side of the river leaving behind a multi-V
pattern across the water. There wasn’t a cloud in the blue
sky. And then, both our dogs sat down at the edge of the
deck and perked up their ears, and I began to hear the
Minstrel tune up.
“Look into his shining eyes
And if you see a ghost don’t be surprised.
Like me and you,
He’s tryin’ to get into things
More happy than blue…”
The White Pelicans in breeding plumage began
their low drumming, and then the Seagulls took flight and
added their cries of joy. Around 3 dozen Black Bellied
Whistling Ducks landed in the side yard plying their
whistling songs which startled the Grackles who added their
loud protests. The Red Winged Black Birds, discovering the
fresh supply of bird seed “skewalked” as their contribution
to the song. And then, I heard the Mockingbird happily
announcing his territory to all who would listen. The
Mallards quacked with glee between mouthfuls of corn. And
the cheerful Purple Martins began their morning song - just
because they were glad to be alive. The wind gently roused
and brought the faint sounds of the surf caressing the
beach.
The river had orchestrated the perfect morning song – full
of promise of new life in the coming spring when all of
nature seemed to be stretching after waking from her winter
nap. It was just a moment, shared by my dogs, and then it
was over. But the Minstrel had left a promise– one of
spring, new life and the re-opening of ‘ole San Bernard’s
mouth this year.
”The minstrel boy will understand
He holds a promise in his hand.
He talks of better days ahead
And by his words your fortune’s read.
Listen to the pictures flow
Across the room into your mind they go…”
I guess we can no longer live in winter
grays along the river. The announcement of spring made by my
Minstrel of the Dawn has begun to turn into the colors of
the wildflowers currently making their appearance along side
FM 2918. Though the Minstrel’s gone, his song still lingers.
”The minstrel of the dawn is gone
I hope he’ll call before too long.
And if you meet him you must be
The victim of his minstrelsy.
He’ll sing for you a song
The minstrel of the dawn…”
So now, what’s happening at the end of the
river? The spring heartbeat. The annual migration. Life
going on. And maybe just a little more research on Jean
Lafitte – he’ll probably be visiting us soon and what he
brings to the table of history will probably surprise you.
So, until then, here’s wishing you all a spring time of
renewal, a clean river, bird songs to cheer you, a stretched
fishing line, and your own River’s End.
One of F.O.R.'s
primary functions is to educate the public
regarding the issues concerning the San Bernard
River and it's Communities. Contact Pat Webb
pat@sanbernardriver.com to schedule a
guest speaker for your group or special event.
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