The Firemen's Ball

The Fireman’s Ball
Christmas Eve ,I think 1975 at Kilby Street…(was this the same snowy eve when Bob had given Lois the diamond and ruby ring for Christmas and after watching them hand in hand cross Sea St homeward bound to shore side in the gentle snow, I wrote that song…see below ) We were toasting the New Year and the fire truck pulled up in front of Mae and Paul Reddy’s house 2 doors away…we went over the 4 of us to see if they were OK, and perhaps celebrating too much Paul had fallen and Mae called for assist and by the time we came in she was holding forth with the fireman loudly proclaiming her resiliency as a stabilized Paul was sitting it out…The Reddy’s were from the Marion and Joe school of bon vivants, perhaps with a little more liquid propelled “spirit” …great ,funny folks…
Finger pick D G A7 D
G A7 D +

White lights and red lights play off the wall
From the tree and trucks in the road.
The clanging of bells breaks this most silent night,
“Where’s the fire?” It looks like next door!

Chorus -
Here’s to the young ones
And here’s to the old’
And here’s to the best for us all!
Here’s to the old year and here’s to the new,
Drink up at the fireman’s ball!


From the midst of his rescue he called out hello.
I was down, now I’m up and just fine!
We’ve plenty of spirit so let’s drink a toast
To the chief and this old flame of mine!


Chorus