Composed by Jos. Morneault. © 22 Mar 2025  All Rights Reserved.

In March of 2025, I was challenged by, Elizabeth D. Kaeser, the director of the Connecticut River Museum, to compose a song, which “must be child-friendly,” regarding a little-known CT River cryptid.  I am not known for “children’s songs”, but I gave it a go along with some input by some of my music followers…

It was first seen, according to historical record, on 8 Sep 1886 by two gents rowing a skiff near Cromwell, CT, a little north of Middletown, CT on the river. Early that morning, they were bumped by something that then hit the little craft harder, launching it a bit out of the water, and as it came back down, the two men landed in the bottom of the boat. Peering over the side in some shock, they witnessed turbulent water and a long neck upon which sat a “big black head” some ten feet over the surface, with “eyes as big as small plates”, and a long body twisting back and away in the water. They rowed pell mell for shore for help, but no one could see this creature, it having presumably submerged.

This creature was apparently seen again several times of the next couple of years, with some accounts of varying believability, before it seems to have decided that the CT River simply had too much traffic to stick around. I’ve held the thought that perhaps it is one and the same as other sightings in other rivers or bays, or perhaps they’re related… Anyway, this one was given the “pet” name of Connie, presuming that it was female, and only recently has the legend “resurfaced”; the Connecticut River Museum recounts the tale, has plushie Connies for sale, and a book on local cryptids that includes a chapter on Connie. There are no stories of harm having been done by, and therefore, the legend has come to be embraced almost as a mascot.

Jos. Morneault

Oh, I’ve heard the tale of the great white whale and New Haven’s Flying Dutchman.
Of a mermaid fair with a comb in her hair and of Canton’s headless horseman.
But it’s news to me, though I live near the scene, and I’ve friends who claim accordant.
Let’s share the fable ‘round the supper table of Connie the Connecticut serpent.

Of all the fish you could ever wish to see in the river current,
There’s none compare to our dear friend; ‘tis Connie the Connecticut Serpent

She spends her time with family in the deep and cool Atlantic.
Her sister is Cassie of Casco Bay, and her auntie is Loch Ness Nessie.
When the weather is warm she has a mind to swim to her favourite inlet.
To sip her tea with a manatee and dine at the Griswold Inn.

She lingers a while in Essex to see the River Museum’s exhibits.
And hums along with her favourite songs at the local Sea Music Festival.
Then makes her way up river and waves at the children playing
Along the bank at Haddam Neck then darts under boats a-sailing.

While swimming with a school of friends, the shad, her nose it caught a sniffle
Her head hit the bottom of a rowing boat; she paused to make the civil.
Two men, they screamed, and Connie likewise; she quickly swam away!
They rowed their boat to the shore in fright, but she more scared than they!

So all you boatsmen should you go up Connecticut River sporting
To catch your quota of strip-ed bass, or catfish, sometimes sturgeon,
Take care to keep one eye on your boat; t’other on the water surface,
For if you’re spry you might just spy Connie the Connecticut serpent!

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