‘Twas the night before Miller Service, when all thro’ the boats,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a ghost;
The extinguishers were hung by the motors with care,
In hopes that passengers soon would be there;
The captains were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of right-of-way danc’d in their heads,
Deckhands, office, and ticket booth at nap,
The village just settled carefree as a cat–
When out on the Lake there arose such a clatter,
All sprang to see what was the matter.
Away to the window like a flash,
Open the shutters, throw up the sash.
The nigh full moon on the crest of the waves,
Gave lustre to fresh painted lanes;
When, what to wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature ferry and a six-pack of cheer!
With a mini-captain, so lively and silly,
Islanders knew in a moment it must be Billy.
More rapid than seagulls the boat came,
While he whistled, shouted, and call’d not in vain:
Now! Kenny, now! Mark, now! Tommy,
On! Cathy, on! Lily, on! Connie and Brian;
To Lime Kiln we go, the ropes to throw.
Dash! dash away! dash away from ice and snow!
And with a wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
The mini-ferry and cheery captain quickly gave PiB to know:
There’s nothing to dread, the new season is full-steam ahead!
