tallbarneybeal

THE BALLAD OF TALL BARNEY

When Maine could boast of giant pines
And brain and brawn in hugh designs,
Manwaring Beal begot a son
No less than a phenomenon.

Mere five feet folk were puny lot
And six feet people somewhat squat
For Barney Beal was six feet plus,
with seven inches fabulous!

He knew no fear and slight restraint
When others frothed or made complaint
But settled every quarrel quick
With energetic kick or lick.

His fingers touched the sanded floor
Whene’er he entered neighbor’s door
And sat him down to chat a bit
And swear and boast and often spit.

‘Tis said the women folks well knew
Their kitchen chairs would fall in two
Unless they tucked them out of sight
And left stout bench to take his height.

All up and down the coast of Maine
He roved. A human hurricane
They came to call Gunpowder Beal
And let alone from head to heel.

‘Twas when the British tried their Luck
And ran across his Yankee pluck
That Barney Beal made history
Not often known on land or sea.

They said he’d fished too near their shore
He musn’t do it any more
In fact, no less than an arrest
Would their authority attest.

Five men then tried the bold affront
To bArney’s frame. He faced the brunt
Of battle, broke one sword.
Tossed the leader overboard.

And sent the other hostile four
Asprawl upon the vessel’s floor
With clothes ripped off to gory skin
And muskets smashed, to their chagrin.

With toss of head and wave of hand
Gunpowder Beal gave his command
“You’d best go back” he swore with might
“Or so much worse will be your plight.

“I’ll rip the planks from off your boat!
I’ll stuff your words right down your throat!
You think you’d try for my arrest,
You’d better plan your own inquest!”

His thirst for blood for once had stay
When Portland staged a grog affray
He came out best, as you may ken,
Saloon all smashed, and fifteen men
Laid out them once within his power
These tales they tell down Jonesport way,

Between their passing time of day.

Barna (Tall Barney) Beal son of
Barnabas Coffin Beal II was born
Dec. 13, 1835 in Jonesport, Maine.
He died Feb. 1, 1899