1;,

I%-

~ f~&, 7d- ~ 7Jds..

~ 1..; ~t:.,

1Ia.,

~c..:

4-.

a.

~~ 7/<.j~ ~ f~ ~'4.

II...Hr

I . '- .?alQ"

.,

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
COLLECTED AND EDITED BY

ELISABETH BRISTOL GREENLEAF

MUSIC RECORDED IN THE FIELD BY

GRACE YARROW MANSFIELD

AND THE EDITOR

HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

1933

''I'

MOTHER AND FATHER

ELLEN AND CHARLES BRISTOL

AND MY HUSBAND

WILLIAM E. GREENLEAF
IN LOVINC APPRECIATION

PREFACE
THIs book is a by-product of the so-called drudgery of school teaching. No one but a school-teacher could bave obtained in so sbort a
time a knowledge of the character and habit of thought of the New-

foundlanders, and there aTe some school-teachers I have met who

could not have won the favor of the singers of these songs.
It is a tribute also to Dr. Grenfell's work, for the idea of such a
book grew up from work under his summer mission. It could not
have been carried out with the care and accuracy that have been

shown except under the guidance of Martha W. Beckwith, Professor

of Folklore at Vassar College. Other undergraduate courses in literature and in music provided useful technique. The collectors feel
under the deepest ohligations to Professor George Lyman Kittredge
for his aid. The gay enthusiasm with which the venture was entered
upon has developed into a very great sense of the honor of such collaboration and of the value of folklore material in ballad form.
The original venture, for which part of the expenses came as a
contribution from Vassar College trustees, - Mr. Russell C. Leffingwell and others, - illustrates the attitude of the modern college in
placing the product of learning as its main business, not confined
merely to classroom routine.
In accepting the invitation of my two friends to write a brief
prcface, I do so in the hope that their venture may stimulate others
to carry on this work, especially where fields equally new and uncultivated can be found. Western culture is not fully conscious of

its heritage from the Old World, nor does it properly value the
treasure trove in its own soil. There have been attempts in the past

few years to assemble this material for undergraduate study, but

much remains to he done hefore our acknowledged debt to the Old
World is properly halanced by our own contributions.
H. N. MAcCRACKEN
May 26, 1932

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
MANY people have given aid and counsel in the preparation of this

book. We want to extend thanks to them all, and especially to the

following: to President MacCracken and the Trustees of Vassar
College for financing the Vassar College Folk-Lore Expedition to
Newfoundland in '9'9; to Dr. Martha Beckwith of the Vassar
College Folk-Lore Foundation for help with the manuscript and
for continued encouragement in the project; to Professor Dickinson of Vassar College for his invaluable scholarly aid with the music
manuscript; to President Parsons and Librarian Blazier of Marietta
College, Ohio, for the loan of the volumes of the Journal of American Folk-Lore from the Marietta College Library; to :Miss Jane
Quackenbush for the use of the texts she collected in Newfoundland;
to Mr. Gerald S. Doyle of St. John's, Newfoundland, for permission
to reprint contributions from his pamphlet of old-time songs and
poetry of Newfoundland.
To Professor Kittredge we are gJateful [or his help in editing the
texts. The many interesting references which he has added give
the book a completeness otherwise impossible.
Lastly we are indebted to the men, women, and children of Newfoundland who in such friendly and patient fashion sang us their
songs and showed us their dances. We shall ever hold in memory
our happy days among them.
E. B. G. and G. Y. M.

CONTENTS
. Henry Noble AlacCracken

PREFACE

xl

A NOTE ABOUT THE MusIc

t. LADy ISABEL A"''D TJIE ELF KmCOT

(C:m:LD, NO.4) .

2. loRD ROBUT (Cmw. NO7) .

3. THE TwA S1sTEJts (CmlJl, No. ' 0 ) .
.
4. THE Bo:-rNY BIUo'IS 07 THE VIRGIE, 0 (Cun..o, No. 14)
s. THE BEGGAR>JM' (CmlJl, No. '7)
6. FAIR FLOWERS 0' HEuo (C:an.D, No. 20)
7. LoRD ATEllA~ (C81I.D, No. 53)
8. LoRD TBollAS (CmlJl, No. 73)
9. LADy MARCARET (CmlJl, No. 77) .
10. nu: UNQUIET GRAVE (Cmu>, No. 78)
Gn. 1\{ORISSY (Cnn.D, No. 83) . .

b2. BARBREE

vii
xix

INTRoDuCl'rON

ELLEN

(CHILD, No. 84)

7
9

.0

"'5

'70,/
,8
'3

'5
.6

J3 ... YOUNG BAR.HOUR; OR,1'.H:E SEVEN SAlLOR Boys (CtnLD, No. roo)
14. 1'n:E BAILIn"S DAUGHTER OF lSUNGTON" (CmLn, No. 105)
IS. THE K......' 1GHT AND THE SHEPHERD'S DAUGHTER (Cm.u>, No. 110)

28

16. '1'H:E DARK-cLOTHED GYPSY (CmID, No. 200) .

38

(CmLD,

40
4'
43
44
47
49

17. Lo"'"ELY GEORGIE

No. 2(9)

....

18. ]OA.." A.",,-n JOEL," BLOUNT (CmLD. No. 275).

19. TuE "GOI.DE.lIJ VAJ."'lTIE" (CB:nD, No. 286) .
20.

21.
I 22.
23.

THE LrrnE YOR..K.SB1R Bov

TH::E HIGHWAY ROBBER.
WII.I.Y TAYLOIl
POLLY

Ouvn, .

T.ID:

CASTAWAYS

26. ROGERS rHE MILLER

27. WEXFORD CITy
..
..
28. Tm: MAIDEN WHO DWELT BY TlU:: SnORE

29 Th:E ROSE OF BRITAL,\'s ISLE

30.

'".lH:E

GREEN BUSHES

31. As I ROVED

34
35

5'
55
57

24. DROWSY SLEEPER.

25.

OCT

59
61
63
65
67

69

32. Tn:E BLIND BEGGAR.

33 NAXCY noll. LoNDON

7'
73

TIn:: GHOSTLY LoVER.

35 '1'B.E BOLD f1Par....o:ss RoYAL"
36. Th:E DA.R.KEYED SAILOR.

8,

31 JOlL"WSON; OR, ToE 1'KR.EE RIDERS.

8.

34.

3 8 HANDSOME

J01L.......

39 ThE DUKE OF ARGYLE . . . . .

40.
4%.

Tn.E FrRST COME IN IT

THE TWELVE APoSTLES
Tmuasu MENO'-W.u

WAS A RAT

42.
.
43. KELLY THE PlRATE. . .

76
78

87

88
90

9'
94
95

CONTENTS

XII
44. BOLD WOLFE

. . .

96

45. TJn: MA..lIJ-oy-WAR P1EcE .

46. SHORT JACKET . . . . .
47. TA2PAUIDl JACKET . . .

99
100

1o,

4-8. B.o.o:...oo\\'"N SPoRT. . .

49. ABILUI BROWN THE SAn.oIl
SO.

104
15
106

TARRY SAILOR.

51. FROM LIVEltPOOL 'CROSS THE An.Al"iTIC

loS

52. GoLD WATCH

110

53.

Tar

I"

BOATSWAIN M'D THE TAILOR.

54. TBollAS

NAXCY . . .

A.'\"D

114
116

. . . . . .

119

57. SA1.Lv MO.lIOE . . . . . . . .

458. Tm: LAss THAT LoVED A SAILOR

"0

55. SQUlllE

ATH.A1'o"IEL A..'"D BETSY

\56. WEXYOIlD CITY

121

lsL.E OF POllTLA..''
or Avo~"DAl.E

59. NEAIt TO THE

60. ThE

~rv.LS

'22

"3
"5
"7

1\lAa.I.A Mj) CAltOUNE . . . .

, 6,. Tm: 5cmcH LAsSIE . . . . . .
61.

63. ClLDEROY . . . . . . . . . . .
64. THE PRETTY FAIR ?-1Am WlTH A TAIL .

65. WII.LY VARE

129

'3

'3'

66. DOWN ""'UEa..E THE TIDE WAS FLOWTh"C

67. PADDY AKD THE \VHALE

135
138
14
14'

68. EJw<s ISLE . . . . . .

>f;x). EJL'W's GREEN SHO.JU: .
70. TnAT DEAR OLD LA);"I) .
71. Bt"2K's DK..E.Ut .

I,

17. Tu HUlCBLE \"tl.LAGE MAID Gon-,G A-M1LKINC

146
49
151
153
155
157
158

~{AURlCE KELLY.
79. THE PLOWBOY. .

16,

72. THE WATERFORD

Boys.

f~;~: r:E:ER~~:S;;~~~IALV BlOW

75. THE NOBLElCAN'S WrnDING _
76. I OXCE LOVED A Gnu. IN K.n.KENNY

. . .

160

i8.

. .

80. SoLDlDl Boy

164

81.
82.

16 5
16 7
168
'7
17'

WATERLOO
.
NAPOLEON'S FAU\\"'ELL TO PARIS
83. NAPOLEON THE E:xn.E
84. THE BONNY BID\CB OF ROSES
85. TttE: Pu..Ixs OF WA'ttR.LOO
I 86. GLEl'COE .
.
87. 1'B.E ~fAr<."TLE 01' GR.EEN
>88. Lo~ELY WATEnOO . .

/llg.

J>:.""""

92. M.uy r\EAL

178

ISo

0" THE MOOR

(}O. Rn.EY TO AJa:Juxy.

91. WILLY Rnu.v . .

114
'75

. .

18,
I

93. THE SQU[R.S YOUNG DAUGHTER

94. HcORV CO~"XOItS.

95. Tu:E BONl\"Y YOUNG bISB Boy . .

181
Illg
'9
'
19'

xiii

CO TENTS
. YA."",, LA'''' . . . .

'<}4

97. RJea A>a:lUL\Y . .

Q8. 1'BE LAnn . . . .

'95
'Q8

QQ.

too.

Tm: POOR FISHDJlA,...,,\'s BOY

THE Lrrn.E SoWII'S Boy.

JOI. LoVELY

A...~"IE

200
20'
20J

I WAS JUST Srx.n:E.~ . .

103. SCSAN SnAYD> 'IllE BaDn' BUCH

2 04

102.
104..

TB..E

206

208

QuAY OF DtThil)OCXES

BA..'''"KS OF 'DIE DIUY

106. THE 0= !'LAm SnAWI.
THE PRLNTlCE BOY

105. TuE

107.

2'0
212

21 4

2,6

roS. BUTTER. AND CHEESE AND A.LL

!tIOQ.

T1rE

218 -

IRISHMAN'S SHANTY

PADDY BACKWAJIDS . . . .

2'9

III. THE "LADY URI" . . . . .

220

lIO.

222

112. ToE SHIRT AND THE APRON

J 13.

Ta.E

GENTLE BOY

224

226

II4. Ta.E FIEEllASON'S SoNG . .

ItS. THE SPIRlT Soxc OP GEORGE'S B.u."X
116. Tlu: BA!I."XS OF NEWl"OU~"DLAND.

227

23

tI7- So.c ABOl"T THE F:rsm:xc BA~"X.S

uS. ThE .. !Am OP

2J2

~El\"'F01nt.'l).I..U"D

2JJ

2J6

119. WAD8AM'S SoXG

J 20.
121.

122.

1'R:E LoW-BACD:D CAR .

TIlE DtOy.-o OF BOLD SBAIlEllEN
COlO: ALL YE JOLLY Ia:.HIDolEJls

2J8

24

2 44

12J. 1'BE EALIXG CRClSE OF THE "Lo~'E FLlEll"

I 24- CHANGE lSIA.'-ns So.'C . .
J 25_ lAa WAS EV'av L'iCH A SArtOR. .

246
25

126. Lt.-xEYs BOAT. . . . . . . . . .

25 2
2 54

127. G.u:EDY liA.R.BOUR . . . . . . . . .

2 56

128. ThE lJus.u SAnOR Boy. . . . . . . .

2 58

I2g. GEORGE'S BANK (SUNG DY D. ENDACOTT) .

260

130. GEORGE'S BANK (SUNG BY M. WALSH). .

131. JACK IIINKS . . . . . . . . .
132: ThE RYANS AND THE PITTMANS . .
IJ~. THE BL001lING BRIGnT STAR OF BEllE ISLE
134. TaE STAR OF LOGY BAY . . .
135. ALL AROU~"D GttLN lsLAND HOR
136. TnE (h.-TII.ulIoR Pu....'\"TD.

262
264

137. THE SP,c1SH CAPTAIJi . . ~

13 8
IJQ.
lolO.
14 1

'I'B:E Wu:.ex. OF DIE STEAMSlIIP "ETHIE JI

TIn: .. SoL"'TIIDL'\ CRoss". . . . .
TJu: "'UCK: OF THE STE.AMSID.P "FLOIUZEl!'

l.p.

Tn.E ". 'ORDn:LD"

143.

1H:E

'I'B:E

FISJJ:nKL.'" OP NEl\'TOm.."DLA.:."m; OR, THE GOOD SHIP

..... ~ .. ~

"jL"lIlILE"

1-44. 'T'1u: BaD ROCKS

2 72
273
275

2 77
281
283

285

"R..u.!:Icn" . .

288
290

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

145. CAnAlS' WILLIAll JACIOlAN, A NEWl"Om..'DLU."D HEllO.

TnJ: .. GREENLum II DISASTER. . . . . . . .

146.

268
27

Ali]) THE

hTaORWA.LDS:E.s"

266

292
2<}4

2 99

xiv

CONTENTS

14'.

'IRE DOG Sase

. . . . . . . .
TIm COOKS OF TOUAY . . . .

148.

'Ii1.E ?t.fE1l.ca..u.'TS OF FOGO . . . . . .

1'H:E ROV~G N'E'\\-70tJlI,;"])LA."roUS (ADVE...vruu: so."c)
'5'. Tm: FlLu.-= ExPmmo". .

Jor
303

149.

304-

ISO.

306

311

3'3

IS2.

NEWFOUl\"])LAN'D AND SEBASTOPOL

308

'53. Tm: MUJU>D< OF YOIDIG SollERS . .

IS4. My DEAR, I'll Bom.'"D Fall CA.."'ADY .

"55. COD LIVEJt On. So"G . . . .

156. ThE ScnOOllo'"ER. "l\!A.Ry ANN".
151- DOSAIJ> .MO~""OE

314

3.6
317

318

'58. Fu:Lo"G . . . . . . . .
-.59 Tm; LUKBEJl CAIlP Saxe.

3'9
321

-160. ThE BADGEIt DRIVE

Twn; LAns . .
16,. FLutay Dt'~'"X

327
329

324

.6,.

, 163. YOUSG

l\IO~"'OE .

331

.64. PETEIl HDmLY .

334

165. 1I00lEW.uD BOL""":\'"D .

-166. SALLy BROWX . .
167. HAUL oS nn: BO'LINE .

336
337
338

.6& JOLLY POKn . . . . .

.6g. P2ETrY JESSIE OF 1lIE R.m.WAY BAll
LoXGEST NAll 50xG .

] 70.
17[.
172,
173.

LAuCI:ID'G SONG . . . .
YOUNG QlAlU.OTTE. . . . . . .
THE II FLYIXG CLOUD" . . . . . .

'" '74. BOLD McCAllTHY

115. JOHN ltIORRlSSEY AND mE BLACK.

176. Tm: Twu:E OLD JEWS. .

17'1. CALIPOD;lAN BROTB..ERS

. . . . .

'78. YOUNG Jnorv AND THE OPncu

179. \VHII.E TIlE Boys IN BLUE WERE FIGHTING

180. FLOllLLA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1'1( LoX.ESOlLE SINCE MY MOTB:ER DIED _ _

181.
182_
r83-

Ta:E

184
18S.

FATAL 'VEnDING . . . . . . . . . . .
Tm: ROVlNG NEWFOUNDLANDERS ( EWFOUNDLAND WARS)
JOHN GILLAll'S SoNG (wrmOUT WOlIDS)
WOw::E.N'S THE JOY Al\""D 'DIE PIIDE 01' m: LAliD

.86.

QCAOlW.1.ES

DANCE TUNES

.87. C<mu.o" F.GUIES .

88. J,GS .
ISg. STEP DAXCES

INDEX OP FIRST LrNES

INDEX OF

Trru:s . . .

339
340
J.45
346

341
349

354
355
357
350

36.
36.l

365
367
368
369

371
372

CONTE 1'$

xv

TUNES
r. LA.oy lsABn

A..'lD THE

ELF Km.GHT
'[BJ; VIRGIE, 0 .

4-. TIn: Bo~'NY BAND 01"

S. Tu.E BEpdAlUlAN. . . . . .
6. FAIR Ft\1WERS OJ' lIELIO. .
10. ni~ UNQUIET CRAVE, A, B
13. YOl'""XG BAIBOUli, A, B, C .
16. T8::E DAi.It-cLOTBED G\""PSY .
20. TIn: l.rrn.E YOUSIIIRE BOY
22. WnLY TAYLOR
.
23. POLLY OUVR., A, B.
24. DROWSY SLEEPER . .

"'S

23. 24
. 28,30 ,3 2

J8
44

49
SI. S3

25. THE CASTAWAYS

27. WXF02D CITY

28.

Tm:

......

:1.LunN 'WHO DWELT BY THE

20 T8.E ROSE OF BRITAIN's

BOltE

lsu

30. ThE G.R.E..E."J BUSHES . . .

31. AS I ROVED OOT.

33 NANCY nOM LoNDON, A l B .
34.

1'uE

39 1B:E DUD: 01" AICVLE . .

44 BOLD WOLFE

76
78

'. 88
96

46. SnORT JACKET. .

lOO

49- AuILUf. BROWN 'DIE SA.u.OR

50. TAIlRY SAu.oa _ .

lOS

Io6
I08

SI. FROM Ln'EllPOOL 'CROSS TEl: .'\TIA..'JIC

. . . . . . . . .

IIO

54 THOUAS A.'ID NA.'lCY

55 SQUlR.E NATBANIEL A1\'l) BETSY
58. TUE LAss TllAT LOVED A SAILOR

II4
II6
12I

6,. Tm: ScoTOI LAssIE, A, B . . . .

63 CUJ)EIf.OY . . . . . .

55
57
61
6J
65
67
6<)
7J, 74

GHOSTLY LoVER .

35. TaE BOLD H PuxCESS RoYAL JJ

3; JOII-,"5O.; o.a, THE Tmt.n: Rmus, A, B

52 GoLD WATQI

J
10

64. Tm: Purry FAIt MAm WITH A TAIl..

66. Dows "'"HERE THE TmE WAS FLOWING
67. PADDY AND THE WIlALE .

-60

12 7. 12 8

"9
IJO
IJ5
IJ&

ERIN'S G.R.EEN SHORE

70. l'nAT DEAR. OLD !.AND .

'4'

11. B11a.Ia.'s DJl.E.U(.

146

. ..

73 'l.lm DaID-"EAm's DRJ'..A}(. . .

74 AT THE FOOT OP DIE MOID."TAIN Baow
75.
77.

TID:
TuE

?\'OBI.E.MA......S WEDDING . . . . . .
HUYBLE VILLAGE .M.Am GoING A-?tfu.K.ING

78. MAURICE KELLY. . . . . . .

81. WATE.II.OO

83 NAPOLEOY 1lIE

4 Tm: Bo~-"y

85

EXII.E . . .

BUNOI 0' ROSES

Tm: Pun... 0' WATEJlLOO

'44

'S'

'53
'SS
158

160
165

168

'7

'7'

CONTENTS

XVI

SQ.

JENl'o'IE

ON TIlE
WII.LY REILLY.

Moo.

180
184
IS9
192

91.
93. 1'KE SQUaE'S YOUNG DAUGHTEJl
95. ThE BO~'NY YOUNG 1JusH BOY
YA.~ LA..NO.

96.

194
195

97. RIOI A.lr:DuxAv . .

10.;. TJu; QuAY Of' D1TNDOCXEN
lOS. 1'B.E BANKS OF THE DIZZY
I IS. THE SPlRIT SoNG OF GEORGE'S BA1o"X

208
2tO
227

121. TaE c..OWD OF BOLD

uS. 'IKE MAID 01' NEWPOm."D[..A1.,"I) . .

SB:AIE.xL"'i' .

240

'I'B:E Suu.....c CRUISE O:F THE uLo1lo"E FUEJr."

124. CB.A.sCE lsu..'''DS SoXG . .
125. JAa "'AS EV'.RY L...ca A SAILoR .

'5

233

246

IJ:J.

'st

126. Luuy's BOAT.

J 27.

'2

Gu:EDY HAR..aOUlt

128. THE !JusB: SArLoa Boy. . .

IJO. GEORCE'S BA.''I. . . . . . . .
IJ2. TIm Rv,cos A..W THE PI:rnlA.'s
T'H BLOO:wIXG BRIGHT STAR 01' BELlE

133-

134. THE STAR OF

Looy

IsLE .

BAY

J37. THE SPAl\'lSH CAPTAIN .

. ...

138. TIlE Wa.ECX OF THE 5TEAKSHIP

II

ETHlE II

139. TIu "SotI'TIJDtN CRoss" . . . . . .

140. ToE WRECK OP TIlE STE.UISBIP "FLo2J.ZL" .
141. Tm: FIsKEallES OF KEWFOUNDLA.'''D; OR, THE
U )UBIL.E II

14'. Tnr.: uNORDFEU>" AND THE lIRALEIGH".
144. TnE BIRD ROCKS . .
146. '1"'Iu; .. GREENLAND" DISASTER

1St. TnE FJt.A.."l1a.IN ExPEDmos . .

156. TRE SCHOONER. u:\wv ANN"

roo.

'DiE BADG..R DRIVE

r61. TwIN LAKES .
r63. YOUNG MOr..'"ROE .
r65. HOM.:EWARD BOUND

166. SALLY BROWN

167. HAUL ON THE Bo'IJ1.;""E

r68.

JOLLY

POUR

....

PllETrY JESSiE OF mE RAn.WAY

Tu..E "FLYING CLOUD" . .
176. THE TllJlE OLD JEWS.

16g.

I1J.

18J. THE ROVING NEWFOID;"DLANDDS

184. JOHN GIl.LA..K'S SoNG.
186. QUADIllLLES

187. COTlLLOS FIGUUS

r88. JIGS.
ISg. STEP DA.""CES

BAll,

A, B .

GooD

SHIP

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIO S
1.

ThE VASSAR COLLEGE FOLK-LORE ExPwmoN TO NEWPOUND-

.FOUNDLAND. 1929 .

. Opp.

. xxviii

2. Twn.uNGATE

. xniv

TIlE uSAGONA II A1I;"I) HER CAPTAIN

4 N'E\',"'FOtJ1l,:"DLAND SIXGERS

Sr.~GE1S OF

6. TaE

Fun

SEALL~G

DE

CRtiISE

Lvs
OF TB.E .. LoSE

142

FLIER"

7- HOUSE:W:Ovn;C BY ?tIA......-POwu. M;]) Soxe

8.

~ -E,,"YOL"'1\"DLA.'"D DAn:ns

248
340
376

INTRODUCTION
TEN years ago it was my good fortune to be a summer volunteer
teacher for Dr. Wilfred Grenfell's Mission. I was assigned to a
school in an isolated fishing village on tbe West Coast of Northern
:\'ewfoundland. The experience was so novel and delightful tbat I
went again the next summer. Among the many attractions of life
tbere, was that common form of entertainment among Newfoundlanders even to-day - tbe singing of ballads and folk-songswhich finally furnished the material of this book.
One night I came home from evening school and found the family
as usual waiting up in the glow of the little wood-burning stove, with
its low fire-box and its round oven up above in the chimney. Aunt
Fanny Jane brought me a delicious pork bun and a glass of milk.
While I was eating, Uncle Dan Endacott offered to sing me a song.
I listened without particular interest, until it suddenly dawned upon
me that he was singing a real folk-song, one handed down by oral
tradition. At college I bad listened delightedly to ballads as I bad
heard them sung by the Fuller sisters, Professor Jobn Lomax, and
others, not expecting ever to bear them sung by one of the folk.
From that night I never bad a chance to be lonely or homesick, for
I spent my leisure time listening to the songs and writing them down.
No pupils of mine worked harder learning to write than I to record
the tunes they sang.
That fall I mentioned my discovery to President MacCracken of
Vassar College, and sang him "Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight."
He sent me to Dr. Martha Beckwith of the Vassar Folklore Foundation, and they both urged me to go on collecting during the next
summer. I did so, and gathered about thirty songs, one of them
"Hind Hom," rarely recorded from this side of the Atlantic. Then,
in the words of the song, "Cupid did my heart beguile," I married,
and school teaching and ballad collecting retired to the background
of my thoughts. At last, however, the time came when I could
carry out my wish to visit Newfoundland again, and make a more
complete collection of the ballads and songs known there. Dr.
MacCracken and Miss Beckwith aided in every way, both as experienced and able scholars and as personal friends. Miss Grace
Yarrow (who is now Mrs. Harvey Mansfield), a trained musician
(Vassar, 1927), consented to accompany me to record the music-a

xx

INTRODUCTION

task for which I did not feel fully competent. The result was the
organization of the Vassar College folklore expedition to Newfoundland in the summer of '929, and the publication of this book
of Newfoundland ballads and sea songs.
It was at the tiny harbor of Port aux Basques that I first set
foot on the island of Newfoundland. We landed early one June
morning after an overnight voyage from North Sydney on Cape
Breton island. I gazed at the hazy blue sea and horizon, at the low
gray weather-beaten rocks which formed the harbor and most of the
country, and at the wonderfully brilliant green which showed wherever there was any soil at all. The air was fragrant and incredibly
still. I felt a long, long way [rom New York and noise and rush.
It was the summer of 1920, and I was one of forty members of the
Grenfell party to take the narrow-gauge train to Curling, where
four of us young teachers bound for the West Coast stations were to
leave the workers who went on to the East Coast and Labrador. We

proceeded up the lovely valley of the Codroy River, one of the best
salmon and trout fishing districts on the island. Mile after mile we

stared at the flat expanses of marshlands which fonn so large a part

of the surface of Newfoundland j hour after hour we passed among
evergreen trees on hill slopes, repeatedly crossing clear-running
trout rivers, alluring to the imagination. At last, with a double
twist and shake, the train ran out along the side of a hill, and slowed
down as if to enjoy the marvelous panorama of Bay of Islands,

spread below.
Curling was an important town, even then, as a tourist resort for
trout and salmon fishers, as a railroad and steamship centre for all
West Coast commerce, and as headquarters for the herring fleet. It
was a fairly old settlement, with well-kept schools and churches,
wealthy trading establishments and stores, a bank, and several
hotels. Since then, a huge mill for manufacturing newsprint paper
has been built at Cornerbrook, two miles up the river, and Curling
now has electric lights, an electric commuting train, taxicabs, a golf
course, and an American air of quick movement and prosperity.

Like many villages on the West Coast of North Newfoundland,

Sally's Cove has no harbor where even one wharf can be built. The

shore is straight and exposed to the heavy west winds which pile the
waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence upon the land. Each of the houses
built in a row along the cohble heach has a boat drawn up in front
by means of a rope, pulleys, and a wooden windlass. The whole

family line up on the capstan bar - usually the peeled trunk of a

f JSAUTK Ii. GllEt..IfLUF

ASD Hll SOS RO.l:llT

Tilt ,. \s'\o\R COI.LEGE FOLK-LORF EXPFDlTJO . 1'0

f\HUL'7\DL-\~D

IX 1929

INTRODUCTION

xxi

small fir-tree - and walk it round until the boat is heaved up. When
it blows, as it may for a week. at a time, the boats can neither be
launched nor landed through the heavy surf. The only road from
the safe harbor of Bonne Bay 1 thirteen miles to the south, is a
swampy mucky trail, quite impassable for wagons until frozen and
covered with snow, when teams of dogs draw the comatiks up and
down the coast. Thrown thus upon their own resources, the villagers of the northern peninsula maintain to this day the modes of
thought and many of the customs of their old homes in England and
Ireland, meeting lires problems with traditional rather than scientific knowledge, and enjoying life's pleasures in time-honored folkways, and this statement with some modifications is true for all
Newfoundland. I was carried ashore through the surf, that first
night at Sally's Cove, in Uncle Dan Endacott's arms, and fell
asleep that night in a tiny room of New England simplicity and
comfort with the strange bright stars of the North glittering on the
horizon and the sea and the evergreens scenting the air. Bands of
young men who had come to take a look at "teacher" marched up
and down outside singing "Thomas and Nancy" in strange and
thrilling cadences, marking the rhythm with the clumph, clumph of
heavy hoots.
In Sally's Cove the men earn money by fishing in spring and
summer and by working in the lumber camps in winter. They do
some hunting and trapping and help with the herry-picking. They
harvest enough hay to keep a few animals over the winter,principally cows, horses, and sheep, - and they bring in wood
to keep the little wood-stoves glowing through the cold months.
They build their own houses and barns, make their own boats and
occasionally furniture, work on the roads, - with little apparent
result, - and fashion snowshoes, which they call "raquets/' fishing
gear, and lobster traps. They get a small catch of codfish in the
spring and of herring in the fall, but lobstering is the chief fishery.
Each family has its own cannery, a mere unpainted wooden shed
with fireplace and kettle, a workbench for packing the cans, and a
patent sealer for closing them. The government licenses and inspects
these canneries to see that sanitary conditions are maintained. I
have met two of these inspectors, and they were fine men with a
keen sense of their duty and a kindly manner of enforcing their
standards.
Women contribute greatly to the support of the family. They
milk the cows and do the gardening, with some help from the men in
the heavy spading. Plots are too small in Newfoundland to make

xx 11

I TRODUCTION

plows efficient. They shear the sheep and spin the woolen yarn and
knit it into "inside clothes," Guernseys (which we call Jerseys),
stockings, or mittens. They make quilts for the beds and hooked
mats to cover the floors, and some of the designs are really beautiful.
They also help the men with the haying, berry-picking, and lobster
canning.
Soon after my arrival at Sally's Cove a girl was married and I was
asked to be one of the "bridesgirls" at the wedding. The Church
of England clergyman was brought by the groom from eighteen
miles away. Each of us bridesgirls wore her best dress and pinned
on a "bride knot" (pronounced "brim knot") of silver leaves and
flowers given her by the bride. The bridesboys wore similar sprays
in their lapels. The procession started at the bride's home and proceeded to the schoolhouse. First carne the bridesgirls and bridesboys
in pairs, and then the bride and groom and their families. Other
villagers and young men carrying guns walked beside the procession.
Round-eyed children stared and ran ahead to stare again. After the
ceremony the bridal party was the last to leave the church, and we
paced slowly back to the bride's home between two lines of people
who were laughing and calling out to each other, while the young
men made the air hideous by shooting 011 their guns as close to the
bride and groom as they could get. This old-time marriage custom, Alice Earle says, is due to the fact that, in the old country,
using firearms was a privilege granted exclusively to Protestantshence the Protestant Scotch-Irish loved to fire 011 guns at such occasions as wedclings, just to show that they could.
To raise money for the schoolhouse and the church, the Sally's
Cove people held a "toime" on Orangemen's Day, which took the
form of an all-day fair and was held in the schoolhouse. It had been
widely advertised, and, as the day by good fortune was calm and
fair - "Please God, we'll have civil weather for ou-er toime," they
said - motor boats brought loads of men, women, and children
from other villages up and down the coast. A feature of the fair
which brought in a substantial sum was that of the "guess cakes."
Each unmarried girl in the village made a cake, in which she concealed some object. At intervals during the day, an auctioneer
would hold up a guess cake, announce the name of the fair baker,
and call for guesses as to what it contained. The men and boys paid
five cents for each guess, and the one who guessed correctly got the
cake. Some girls were so clever in putting in something unusual that
the auctioneer was able to collect a couple of dollars or more before
giving up the cake to the lucky guesser.

INTRODUCTION

XXll1

The first dance I attended in Sally's Cove was held in the from
room of a house cleared of furnishings because the family was moving to Bonne Bay. It was lighted by two lanterns hung high on opposite walls. The men and boys moved about in the room or out in
the yard until there was a call for the first dance to begin. Then the
young men took their positions for the square dance and called for
the girls to join them. After much hesitation and giggling, partners
were lined up, the singer began his drone, and the dancers their
figures.
v ewfoundland square dances are similar to our old-fashioned
reels, so popular just now, and are full of vigorous movement and
rhythm. They can be very graceful when the fnur, eight, or sixteen
dancers know their parts and have a sense of form and finish. When
there is no ODe to play even on a jews-harp, some man has to furnish
"chin_music." As a Uset" may take half an hour to dance, endurance is one of the essential qualities of a good singer. The technique
of the singing is something entirely dillerent from that of any other
kind I ever observed. The singer thinks of the rhythm required for
the first figure and commences to tap it out with heels and toes of
both rubber-booted feet. Many people say that, if you tied a singer's
feet down, he could not sing at all. A suitable tune soon comes to
mind and he begins it, sometimes singing words, but more often
vocables to carry the tune and mark the rhythm. The tunes are
complicated with syncopations, rapid notes, slides, and turns, and
the singer takes breath when he cao. Their effect is mesmeric and

of all the dance tunes I heard, I was able to record but one correctly.
The pitch is always true, and the masters of dance-song can sing for
every other dance all the evening, conclude by favoring the company
with a long ballad, and show no sign of hoarseness at the finish!'"
Of these singers for the dance Uncle Dan Endacott was the best.
His voice was powerful enough to be heard without shouting. He
kept a steady rhythm and had a stock of tunes large enough to furnish variety even for a long figure. Uncle Dan had once known upwards of three hundred songs. His father -

"old Mr. Anty," as

they called him - had also been a great singer in his youth. He
was a lay reader and held the Sunday services when the minister was
not in the village. He also kept the post-office and Uncle Dan carried
the mail from Rocky Harbour, where the steamer left it, to Sally's
Cove and to the scattered families ." rOllte. At Rocky Harbour lived
Aunt Fanny Jane's mother and brothers, very strictly and soberly
in the Puritan manner. Mrs. Walters scnior was a beautiful woman
with a face serene though deeply lined. Her husband had been

xxiv

I TRODUCTION

drowned just before the birth of her last son, and the family had a
hard struggle. Their little gambrel-roofed house was built by her
eldest son when he was just sixteen.
Meals at the Endacott's house always hegan with the well-known
Church of England grace said by Thomas, the youngest boy:
Be present at our table, Lord,
Be here and everywhere adored j
These mercies bless and grant that we
l\fay feast in Paradise with Thee.

Just to write this brings to mind the picture of Uncle Dan, Joan,
Thomas, and me round the little table with its white cloth, while
Aunt Fanny Jane bowed her head as she stood behind us ready to
fetch the food from the stove at its conclusion. There would be
boiled salt codfish with ..xceJ]ent pork-and-onion sauce, potatoes
from the garden, boiled turnip or cabbage tops, tea, bread and
butter, and rhubarb pie or steamed pudding with "figs" as they
called raisins, and molasses" cody" (sauce). At the end of the meal,
as each one pushed back his chair, it was the custom to say, "Thank
the Lord."
'Newfoundlanders eat about five times a day in the summer time,
when the days are long and they may be at work till all hours of the
night. Iodeed, the Newfoundland national ceremony is the "mugup," by which they mean any little food eaten between meals, and
I have never seen an American who did not know and practise the
rite after a week or so on the island.
A few folk-ways came under my observation at Sally's Cove.
One night the heavens were covered with broad bands of lightpurple, rose, white and even green - waving to and fro like gorgeous theatre curtains blown out over the footlights. Aunt Fanny
Jane told me that no one should sing or play music when the Northern Lights were out, or the Lights would come down and strike the
player dead. A drunken fiddler once presumed to go outside and
fiddle right in the face of the aurora. The Lights swooped closer
and closer, till, with a cryofterror, the man threw away bis fiddle and
dove in among the sheep which were huddled under the building.'
The people showed me a letter, supposed to have been written by
Christ, which must have been the same mentioned as puzzling the
Newfoundlanders in 18<)5.
In very old days an officer and two seamen from a man-of-war
had been attacked by bears and killed while filling water-casks at
a cold spring on Bear Point. Uncle Dan had seen the ghost of the
officer dressed in a handsome blue cloth uniIorm.

INTRODUCTION

xxv

JAs the nearest doctor was fifteen miles away, home remedies
were used except in extreme cases. The skin disease known as the
II arsipelas" was treated by spreading parched wheat flour on a pad
of fleece from a black sbeep and applying it to the affected parts.~
Weather is of the utmost importance to the dwellers at Sally's
Cove. Besides the usual signs for its forecast, they consulted the
Milky Way, called "Maiden Vein" (or Vane or Vain), saying, of
the fork at the southern end, "Well) we must see where the Maiden
Vein opens tonight, so we'll see where the wind will come from in
the mamin'." They also listened to the waves along the beach; if
they sounded at the north end, the wind would be "down I I the
next day, if at the south end, on the bar, it would be "up."
Jfhe people of Newfoundland are descendants of emigrants from
Ireland and tbe South of England, with a smaUer number of Scotcb
and Welch, and a few settlements of French and part-French people. A village is usuaUy either aU Protestant or all Catholic, according to the faitb of the families who settled there first. In the
larger towns both religions are represented. Intermarriage makes
nearly all the population related. All British Newfoundlanders, except those who have been sent away to school in Canada or the
United States, use an old form of the English language, which
sounds strange but yet not unfamiliar to an American. They still
use commonly expressions obsolete elsewhere which I recognized
with a queer shock of pleasure as phrases explained in footnotes
to Shakespeare. They would say II Come in, Tammas, and hapse
the door, ies a bit airsome tonight." So, too, "wapse" is used for
It wasp" II maid II for H girl" or rather for" woman" as I have
heard ~ grandmother addr~ssed as II maid." Many of' their names
showed the effect of generations of oral rather than written usage. Uncle Dan Endacott was commonly called "Dan Anty/' and
Charles Maynard was Cf Char-Ies Mi-ner." A woman in Bonne
Bay who speUed her name CuUiheU was always spoken of as Mrs.
Curryalt:
~cople of one village will say that they can tell a man's district
from his speech, but I was not able to distinguish these variations.
The French inhabitants, whose district remains unvisited, apparently speak and sing either in French, if they have been sent to
France for an education, or in a mixed dialect of French, English,
and Indian called HJack-a-tar." The songs and folklore of the
aboriginal Indians, who belonged to tbe Micmac tribe, and of the
early Spanish and Portuguese settlers, seem to have been lost in
those parts of the country we visited. There are several settlements

XXVI

INTRODUCfIO

>of Scotch who maintain their own songs and customs. Most of the
villages, however, consist of the second or third generation of descendants of emigrants from England or Ireland. Many a sailor lad,
rehelling against ship's discipline, has preferred the bleak and forbidding coast of Newfoundland to further hell afloat. Many an
Irish family has chosen the emigrants' trail in order to escape
famine or political trouble in Ireland, or in hope of owning their own
homestead in "Tewfoundland, where land is still free to anyone who
will fence and clear it. Visitors to the island in fishing vessels, especiallyof the English, have explored its coast and picked out sites for
future homes, to which later they have brought over their wives and
families, lured by the prospect of a life of self-reliance and independence. Passing one day in a motor boat a little sea islet, a gray
rock, set like a gem in brilliant greens against the cold lead-colored
ocean, we waved to some ragged children and a thin solitary figure
of a woman. "There you are seeing the real Newfoundland," remarked Dr. Parsons. Not in St. John's, not in the cosmopolitan
lumber towns, but on a lonely rock where firewood and even drinking water present serious problems, can we sense their passion for
independence, which seasons their monotonous food and wraps their
bodies against the chill air. v
It was nine years later on the fourth of July, '929, that Miss
Yarrow and I, composing the Vassar College folklore expedition,
stood on the top deck of the ship Fori SI. Gtorge and gazed at the
impressive but utterly barren cliJIs which form the east coast of
Newfoundland. The morning was very calm, brilliantly clear, and
bitingly cold. A procession of dazzling icebergs paralleled the shore
J as far as the eye could see, and here and there dark-sailed "skiffs"
were making their way over the bright blue waters to the fishing
grounds far off-shore. A deep narrow channel between towering
cliffs forms a dramatic entrance to St. John's harbor. Many a despairing seafarer has tried in vain to gain that passage, only to be
driven upon the cliJIs by an easterly storm, or out to sea by a gale
from the west. Gallant adventurers have been reported to the waiting world from the lookout in Cabot Tower on massive Signal Hill,
- Brown and Alcock, the pioneers, flinging their tiny airplane
towards Ireland in '9'9, and Lindbergh taking his last bearings on
this side of the Atlantic on that ~fayevening in '921. Someseventy
years ago, another thrilling achievement was announced here, the
laying of the first Atlantic cable, one of the great adventures of the
last century. But of these world-famous events not a trace did we

I TRaDUCTION

XXVII

find in Newfoundland song. Is it because the ideas involved are too

abstract, the machinery too complicated, and the actors Dot Newfoundlanders, that the song-composers are not inspired to sing? Or

is it simply because folk-song follows traditional paths and cannot

change its direction to celebrate alien marvels? .,/
51. John's is the seat of government for Tewfoundland, and it is
there that onc is most aware of the true Newfoundlander's feeling of

patriotism and love for the island. We attended a War Memorial

service in the Cburch of England cathedral and saw the parade of
Newfoundland veterans who had volunteered for the cause of Old

England in the World War. For an bour or SO out of the city the
railroad skirts the shores of the beautiful Concepcion Bay. The
views are superb, though they give the impression of a. wild, barren,
and remote country. These long, sheltered bays are the nurseries
for Newfoundland's deep-sea fishermen and sailors, men who, when

blown half-way across the Atlantic in a gale, come home by way of

the Barbados, bringing a cargo which makes a profitable voyage out
of a disaster.
Here in Concepcion Bay was pointed out to us the steep-sided
Bell Island, on which is the entrance to the largest iron mine in the

world. The shafts run out under the fioor of the Bay, so that the
miners work, not only under ground, but under water as well.
Twillingate, on the east coast of North Newfoundland, was our
base for collecting (or the next three weeks. From there we visited
the northeastern coast centres - Fogo, Fleur de Lys, and Fortune
Harbour. Twillingatc is called the "capital of the north," and it
deserves the name. It is a lively, up-to-date town, with a bank, a
telegraph office, a wireless station, several large trading establishments, and a fair-sized fishing fleet. It has schools, churches, and

the Nolre Dame Bay Memorial Hospital, a large modem plant first
imagined by Dr. Grenfell and become a reality hy the united effort
of the people of Notre Dame Bay under the able leadership of
Dr. Charles Pan;ons. There is a large fireproof main building with
seventy beds, operating room, X-ray room, and so forth, and a
nurses' home, a cottage for Dr. Parsons and the other staff doctors, a

farm with vegetable gardens and high-bred stock, two boats, - one
for carrying hospital freight and one a sailboat for recreation for
doctors and nurses, - and, best of all, a dam which makes a lake to
furnish an adequate water supply to provide the electricity for lighting the hospital and running the X-ray machine.
Dr. Parsons tried to take us over every mile of road on the two
islands, from the lighthouse on the four-hundred-loot cliff to the

XXVlll

I TRaDUCTION

marshlands on the opposite side, from which the dog-teams start out
with the mail over the frozen bay in winter. (The common sledge
dog of J. ...eYtioundland is not a Newfoundland dog, nor yet an EsquimaW< husky. He is a smaller dog, black and white, smooth-haired,
but with a thick coat of hair something like an Airedale. He is
u ually friendly and well-behaved. It is the law in _'e\\ioundland
that each dog must be shut up. or else have a seyen-pound clog of
wood fastened by a chain to his collar. This is to prevent their
fighting, killing sheep, getting into gardens, nr taking fish off the
Oakes. It gives them a funny lop-sided wall<, but when they are ""cited they jump about as if it did not exist. On the Labrador, huskies are used. The fishing villages in East. 'ewfoundland are usually
built very close together. with all the houses clustered on a point or
at the bottom of a steep-sided cove. The green turf roadway is
tightly fenced ,,;th peeled saplings, nailed upright to horizontal
timbers, and the cows, sheep, dogs, pigs, and other animals live in the
roadway. No one else but Dr. Charlie ever thinks of taking a car
through these narrow lanes. Sometimes we would get through with
less than six inches to spare, all the animals Oeeing before us with
protesting noises, and sometimes we had to stop while a sledge-dog
leader with great dignity roused himseli from his slumbers in the
middle of the road)
How to convey the flavor of the warm sunny days at Twillingatel
As I skipped along the rocky sheep-path to tbe hospital, I could hear
brilliant music wafted to me from where :Miss Yarrow was practising
in the sun-porch. At other times we dove ofT tb.> wharf into the
waters of the harbor with an iceberg in the offing. (We walked miles
to get the uSealers' Song" from the lips of two of its twenty-nine
composers, and every night we repaired to the cottage to sing over
our fmds. One day the noon hour found us on the wrong side of the
harbor, and as Skipper Andrew Young rowed us across he asked,
with the kindly interest in our work which was quite commonly
shown us, if we had got the song about IILukey's Boat. u A man in
St. John's bad sJX>ken of it as" the funniest song ever I heard," so
we told the skipper we were looking for it. He and his wife recited
the verses they knew. The simple words "Lukey's boat" brought
attentinn and a grin from several men at the hotel table, and they
added a few lines. So here we have the words of the song considered
the most bumorous in Newfoundland (the only song of its kind we
collected), and the intriguing little tune that carries ii)
Our first side-trip from Twillingate was to Fogo, a fascinating
place of considerable wealth and commerce, at the same time it re-

INTRODUCTION

xxix

tains many traditional customs. The harbor is deep and safc, two
trading establishmen ts dominate its shores, and as it lies right on the
main sailing route between St. John's and the Labrador, Fogo has
a very up-ta-date and fl sea-gain'" atmosphere. In the spring an
airplane makes its base on the frozen ice of the barbor and scouts
seals for the Fogo fishing Beet. A quarter of a mile away, the women
are shearing sheep, carding wool, and spinning yarn, just as they
have done for centuries. At the cod-oil refinery they turn out a superior product which they sell to Squibb & Co. I know it is superior,
because I drank a spoonful and was not seasick, although we went
right out of the harbor into a nasty lop with cross currents before
making the quiet waters of the tickle at Change Island. On the return trip to Twillingate we visited Herring Neck, the Venice of
Newfoundland, where they go to church in boats.
We felt a curious reluctance to start on our trip lIdown north."
Our destination seemed remote, and the people were perfectly unknown to us both. But as we went along, we met, as usual, the same
delightful courtesy and friendliness I had been shown when a
stranger on the West Coast. On board the Clyde, which had brought
us to Twillingate, we were surprised by the hearty welcome given
us by officers and men. Through emerald tickles and around exposed headlands we steamed, with only the slightest swell to mark
the sea. Gulls wheeled in clouds round their nests on the seaward
cliffs, and Miss Yarrow sang to them from the bridge:
All day long o'er the waters 1 fly,
My white wings beating fast through the sky.

Seated there on the deck we partook of such fresh-cooked lobster as

habitues of night-clubs have never tasted. From the boat-deek, as
we lay once at a wharf, Miss Yarrow made a perfect dive into the
water twenty feet below, then struck out for the wharf with a
stroke that clove the waters like a flash. "Fastest I ever saw anyone
s'\\'iml" was Captain Butcher's tribute. Captain Butcher is a steadyeyed Newfoundlander who deserves a chapter all to himself. He has
commanded the Clyde for years, and so successfully that some people
boast she can smell her way round the bay in the heaviest fog without missing a port. Another morning we woke to find the Clyde
running along a bleak coast of gray rock.. Icebergs lay grounded
near shore, the sun flashed on others farther out. Their chill struck.
through leather coat and fur collar. Vie were approaching Tilt
Cove, a copper mine not actively worked at present. Between Tilt
Cove and Shoe Cove we sat on the forward hatch and took down a

xxx

INTRODUCTION

song from a sailor. The result was "The Maid of the Mountain
Brow," words and music recorded in less than one half hour. It was
quick work, hut Shoe Cove is the last port on Notre Dame Bay, and
we were to leave the Clyde there (or Fleur de Lys, which was our
final destination.
"'hen we reached. :t-Ir. Patrick Lewis's house, where we were to
stay in Fleur de Lys, we found him and all his family hard at work
cleaning and salting a record catch of cod he had taken on his trawls
that day. He estimated it at eleven barrels, and this, at seven dollars a harrel, was a pretty good day's work. During the five days we
stayed he caught about a hundred and fifty dollars' wnrth of fish.
When the codfish run, the men work cruel hours. They rise about
midnight and go out to the fishing grounds in their motor boats.
First they catch a tuhful of a little sardine-like fish, called .. capelin,"
for hait. Then they tie up the motor boat to an anchor and take the
dory to work the trawl. This is a long line of light rope to which are
fastened, at intervals of four or five feet, three-foot lengths of twine,
each with a codhook at the end. The line is secured to anchors at
both ends, so that it rests near the bottom where the cod feed. Usually a trawl fisherman has two or three lines out and goes hack and
forth over them all day. If the cod have been running. he ma)' have
ten harrels of fish in the boat hefore starting for home about four or
five o'clock. Every one 01 these must be split open, the livers thrown
into a barrel, the other viscera thro,,"Il to the animals or tossed overboard. The cod are then washed, sprinkled with salt, and laid skinside up in great piles like cordwood lo corn for a few days. At the
proper time they must be taken from this pile and spread out lo dry.
--The drying flakes, or platforms made of wood and floored with small
tree-trunks from which the bark has been removed, and strewn with
evergreen boughs, give the characteristic appearance to Newfoundland fishing villages.....
All Fleur de Lys is perched on granite ledges, and there is not
much soil. The harbor was named lrom three round cliffs which
lrom a ship out at sea appear like the Iamous emblem 01 France.
When they look most like the fiower, the ship is ahreast 01 the harbor entrance and can come straight in. The French had fishing
rights on this shore lor many years. Their ships would arrive early
in the spring, they would fish and dry their catch during the summer,
and, on a certain day fL'ed hy law, set sail again lor France. Sometimes a French lad would lose his heart to one 01 the Fleur de Lys
girls and desert his ship rather than leave her behind. .. The NewIoundJanders are the happiest people in the world," said Mrs. 'oltall

I TRODUCTIO.

xxxi

to me one day J and, in spite of the poverty evident in many villages,

I think she has grounds for her statement. The men are free to he-

gin work and to quit work when they please, without a boss or a
time-c1ock; they pay no land-tax, as the revenue of the country is
raised on imports; the standard of living is low, so that a man of

twenty can give his bride a home built hy his own hands and thus
satisfy both her own and her parents' expectations.

Friends are always asking how we went about it to get people to

sing for us. We found them generally ready for the asking. A group
of small boys in Fleur de Lys entered into negotiations to find out if
the rumor was true that we were paying money for songs. \Vhen we

emphatically negatived the report, young Dennis Walsh sang us a

song himself, just to show that there was no hard feeling about pay
or no pay, and rendered

As I roved out fair London City," a type

of song rarely sung to us by adults. When his mother protested, he

defended himself, saying '''Tis not a blackguard song, but an ould
comical song." The whole Walsh family were singers. The eighteenyear-old sister Agatha sang

Greenwood Siding," the words of

which I had heard years before. Mr. Walsh sang us "The Plains of
Waterloo," one of the most heautiful melodies we heard. People
are usually proud of the good singers of a village and will mention
them and their particular songs. Having heard in this way about
Stephen John Le,,;s and his song" The Spanish Captain," we walked
round the head of the harbor one evening to ask him to sing it. His
voice, though worn with use, was true and powerful, and the music

carried over the calm harbor and echoed back from the cliffs. I
wrote down the last words almost in darkness, while the bri1liant
stars twinkled again from the water, the dogs howled a little, lazily,
and the wonderful fragrance of a Newfoundlaud summer night
drifted round u
Another of the good singers of Fleur de Lys was Mr. John NoftalI.
He was an elderly man who lived with his wife on a bill back from
the water. He no longer needed to work very hard for a living, as

their children were all grown, married, and getting along well. It
~1rs. Taftall saw us coming and was
at the gate to meet us. She was a channing little woman with the
most deep-seated content shining from her eyes. The house was
built on stilts and the land fell away sharply in front of it. Cabbage
roses grew in profusion in the yard, and trees like poplars and aspens
made a pleasant rustle in the breeze. From the unrailed veranda
the view looked down the harbor, between the high clifls and out to
sea. Mr. Noftall was of the old school of ballad-singers and put in a
was a climb to their house, and

XXXII

INTRODUCTIO

variety of slides. trills, grace notes, unexpected accents, and other

variations, all of which add greatly to the elIectiveness of rendition

but reduce the music writer to despair. 1I1i Yarrow rallied to the
task, and ber record of liThe ~laid of ~ewfoundlandH is, I believe,
as close a representation of this old ballad style as can be made.
Tben at last it came Sunday, and we heard Pat Lewis sing, of whom
tephen John Lewis had said, "He's the best in this place. No
dance is worth going to unless he's there!" He did not know the
words of many songs, but others recited them, and Pat, in a very
soft sweet Irish tenor, gave us the tunes. Some of our loveliest
melodies will be found under his name.
This part of the coast has some widespread traditions of buried
treasure, of a graven rock, of a phantom ship. At one place not far
from Fleur de Lys they say six cannon can be seen lying under the
clear water. The story goes that one is filled with gold, but no one
has dared risk the anger of the guardian spirit by disturbing the
cannon. As for the rock, which, they say, lay for years with the
words carved upon it II Roll me over and I'll teU you more, It and
which when turned over showed on the under side" Roll me back as
I was before," we inquired for it everywhere we went, but no one
could ever precisely locate it. It was always somewhere else! The
phantom ship has been seen at different points along the coast and is
regarded as a warning of a heavy gale. Sometimes it is seen as a
small boat, called a punt, rowed by two men. tephen John Lewis
said in response to my inquiry, lIThe sperrit punt? Yes, I've seed it
meseli. Sometimes people bas seed it close enougb to count the
buttons on the men's coats. But I never seed it like that. It was
about a quarter of a mile away, and it was a boat where it was Dot
possible for a boat to be. How many was in-to it? Well, I couldn't
tell ye that. It was a dull day - and it grew duller, There was men
in a little dark boat, rowing away from the land, and it was not
possible for them to get back, yet we never heard that anyone was
drove oIT, so it was a sperrit boat. That boat have been seen from
cape to cape on this coast. I suppose this can't be so, but I seed it
just the same."
t' Folk-song in Newfoundland owes a great debt to the people of
Irish descent. They have a genius for music and learn not only the
Irish songs, but any other lovely airs they hear, and they render
them most sweetly. I am inclined to credit the Irish with a large
share in keeping the Newfoundland folk-music so melodious. In
Fortune Harbour we found a rich harvest of Irish songs expressing
the Irish passions of love of nature, love of Ireland, and love be-

INTRODUCTION

xxxiii

tween a young man and a maiden. The villagers are of Irish descent,
ninety-nine and a half percent Roman Catholic. Every member of
the Lahey family was musical, and they were all good dancers. In
the quadrille the men filled out the measures with intricate stepdancing and the women swung on their arms as light as thistledown,
though one was a sweet-faced grandmother with white hair. Newfoundlanders love to hear the ballads, and a crowd always gathered
for our evening sessions. Our last night in Fortune Harbour we went
to the home of a noted singer, Mr. James Day. The kitchen was fuJI
when we arrived, and more and more kept coming in until every inch
of wall-space was occupied. \Ve had a glorious session, which ended
only at midnight after four hours of steady concentration. At six
the next morning, for the second time during our travels in ewfoundland, women stood on the dock. weeping as we left, for fear lest
our boat would be swamped in the driving storm that was lashing
the bay to whitecaps.
August found us going down tbe West Coast aboard the S. S.
Sagona, under a captain introduced to us by the engineer of the
Clyde as u a clivi! of a man for a song." We lived on the Sagona for
four days on that trip and added fourteen songs to our collection.
One night we bad gathered in the smoking room for a song session.
Captain Gullage placed himself behind us where he could wateh us
write. The handsome young sailor who was going to sing for us,
tired from his long day of heavy work, reclined on the seat, propped
up in a corner. In a very clear forthright voice he gave us the spirited
Newfoundland song, "The Crowd of Bold Sharemen I f and followed
it with the fine old English song, II The Bold Prinuss Royal." De...
lighted, we asked what song he would like us to sing in response.
"Please if you would sing 'The \Vreck. of the S. S. EJhie'JI he replied. At once the atmosphere became electric. The Ethie had been
the West Coast steamer. Caught in a wild storm in December, 1919,
she had been run ashore at the only spot for miles along the coast
where she could have been grounded near enough shore to save the
passengers and crew, and every person on her had been taken safely
to land. It was a thrilling tale of stout hearts and superb seamanship. Her captain, ~1r. English, received a medal- "The only
time ever I 'card of a captain's getting a medal for losing his ship,"
ehuckled Captain Gull.ge. Right in the cabin with us were the two
real heroes of the struggle, Mr. Walter Young, who boldly directed
the course which brought them to safety, and the then First Male
Gull.ge, who controlled the wheel with his own hands until the ship
struck and then, with fingers swollen like thole-pins with the cold,

xxxiv

INTRODUCTION

tied every passenger into the bos'n's chair, making sure that no
knot would slip during the short but terrible journey to tbe shore. I
doubt if ever again I shall have a chance to sing such a song under
such circumstances. I realized then that the precious "literary
quality" which we collectors seek. in ballads is a very seoondary
thing to the folk who compose and sing them to recall to mind the
brave deeds nf their heroes.
Late one pitch-black night, the Sagona came to anchor in Red
Bay, Labrador. At once there came the bustle of passengers preparing to leave, the sputtering of motor boats putting out from
shore, the rattle and screech of the winch handling freight from the
forward hold, and the creaking of the after-winch as the mail-boat
was lowered. But in the main cabin where I was working it was
warm and bright and peaceful, and presently Captain Gullage came
in from the bridge, with a sigh of relief that the ship was safely
anchored and he might relax a little. \Ye ran over a few songs together, and then I asked him if he would sing me "Sally Brown."
I knew it as a chantey song, but the words as sung in Tewfoundland
were apparently too broad, and none of the men would sing it to us.
After thinking a bit and e,,;dently rearranging the words, the Captain gave it in his beautiful tenor voice, and to me that haunting
melody will always stand for the endless labor of ships, as evidenced
by the sounds we heard outside, and for the peace of ships, as we felt
it in that bright cabin, and for the charm of the true seaman who was
its singer.
We left the Sagona at Flower's Cove, the last steamer stop in
ewfoundland J whence we could see Greenely Island, where the
airplane Bremen. came to earth after Lhe first non-stop fiight from
easl to west across the Atlantic. Four miles north Hdown JJ the shore
was the village of Sandy Cove, where we found families of pure
English descent, who knew and sang some of the oldest ballads we
heard. At Flower's Cove the cod season had been almost a failure,
and the young men had gone over to try their luck in Labrador. The
old men were busy about the sealskins. The seals are k.ilJed in the
spring and tbe hides brought to shore and soaked in the ponds until
the hair and flesh are loosened, when the men lay them on a slanting
tree-trunk. and scrape off everything down to the hide. The smell
at this stage is vile, but the cleaned skins are then placed in huge
vats with quantities of fragrant evergreen bark and plenty of water,
out of which, after the proper length of time, they come with a brown
color and a sweet bark smell. Then they are nailed to the side of a
house or shed to dry, or laced into a frame of logs and put on the

INTRODUCTIO

xxxv

roof out of reach of the dogs. When thoroughly dry and weathered,
they are taken down and rolled up like a sheet of blotting paper.
After that the women cut them out into neat patterns, and sew
them elegantly with a strong linen thread, thus fashioning boots or
slippers which are water-tight and will keep the feet from freezing
even through snow or slush or bitter winds. The fine work of
Flower's Cove women in pleating the skins can be recognized at a
glance, and their handiwork is much in demand all over the island.
Miss Yarrow left me at this point, but before leaving Newfoundland I decided to visit one more section of the island, the Port au
Port Peninsula, which juts out some thirty miles into the Gulf on
the southern part of the West Coast near St. George's Bay. Summer
was over and the fall rains had begun. Blinding torrents of rain
wet me while merely getting to the train, and hid all the lovely views
of Curling and the trout country. This part of Newfoundland was
settled by Frenchmen from the northwest of France, who for years
had fished and traded here, and by Scotchmen from Scotland and
from Antigonish, Nova Scotia. It was reported that I could find
"Jack-a-tars," or people who spoke a mixed dialect of French, English, and Micmac, but to my surprise, the songs that I heard were
sung in literary French which I could understand. The Scotch
people spin yarn and knit it as other Newfoundlanders do, but, in
addition, they know how to weave it on looms. I was told that they
still sing work-songs in Gaelic to keep rhythm and unison in their
weaving and that the older Scotch settlers know long narrative songs
in Gaelic, one of which, for instance, tells of the perils and hardships
which a shipload of emigrants endured on the way to Newfoundland.
This brief visit to a new and interesting section of Newfoundland
opened vistas of further study and effort, always so alluring to a
collector. On that part of the coast are to be found ]ack-a-tar,
Gaelic, and French songs, only waiting for a collector with knowledge of these tongues. On the southeast coast live the "Bankers,"
wbo evidently have a store of chanteys as yet unrecorded. And so
it goes! The horizon in folk-collecting, as at sea, moves onward as
you move.

With the storm still roaring and the rain still pelting, I stood on
the upper deck of the fine new steamer, the Caribo.., which now
makes the run between Port-aux-Basques and North Sydney, Nova
Scotia. As she dove into the troughs of the waves with tremendous
impact, accurately nosing her way among the reefs though fog lay
thick over the waters, I felt that pang of regret which we all feel
when some wondedu!, pedect experience comes to an end; the added

xxxvi

INTRODUCTION

thrill of being" homeward bound H; above all, once again J respect

and admiration for the Newfoundlander.; who face these wild nights
at sea witb such courage and skill, and wbo exhibit towards their
fellowmeo such good temper, kindliness, and hospitality.

Newfoundlander.; get hold of their songs in different ways. Family

tradition is one of the most important sources, as the editors of
British Ballads i" AIaim also found to be true. Six of the Child
ballads in this collection come from one singer, Maude Roberts
Simmonds, and many other tine old songs were recorded from the
sweet singers of three generations of her family. It was perfectly
astonishing to me to note bow accurately tbe songs were remembered. Several times I asked men to sing again songs I had recorded
from them nine years before, and the only variations would be in
two or three unimportant words out of a song fifteen or twenty
stanzas long. Next in importance are the fishing and sealing ,'oyages, where the younger singers add to their store from their cider
shipmates. 'Many American songs current in "'ewfoundland were
learned from the crews of Gloucestermen during "fishermen's holidays" in Newfoundland ports. :More recently the lumber camps
have become important for the spread of song, They attract men
from every part of the island, and American and Canadian foremen
have brought in the songs of their native lumber camps. The songs
sung are legion, and men from one section of the island thus leam
songs from all the other sections. A fourth source of ballads is becoming a snare for the unwary collector - the phonograph. Records
of such popular ballads as uBarbara Allen n and such dance tunes as
IlTurkey in the StrawJJ have a great vogue, and may be rendered
again as native material. The schools, far from aiding in the preservation of folk-song, are working in the opposite direction. It is easy
to see why they do so, for the custom is to sing the Newfoundland
ballads as solos, and long ones at that, and tbe schools need shorter
songs arranged for group singing. :Moreover it requires perspective
to ascertain what belongs to an enduring tradition and what is
purely ephemeral. In the United tates, the movement is well under
way to use the wealth of lovely simple folk-melodies in elementary
school leaching, instead of composing special exercises for each
grade. ~fay the day soon come when Newfoundland realizes its unequalled opportunity to do the same!
Newfoundland songs are diverse in origin. ~Iany of them come
from the British Isles, especially from England and Ireland; many
are composed in Newfoundland, usually on English or Irish models;

INTRODUCTION

xxxvii

a lesser number of American, Canadian, and French songs are CUfrent. The ballads to be found in the Child collection are probably
the oldest now sung. Then there are many seventeenth- and eighteenth-century broadside ballads, particularly English, and vast numbers of nineteenth-century compositions. Most of the Irish, Canadian, American, French, and Newfoundland songs now sung belong
to that century, I believe. There is a growing body of modern twentieth-century songs from the British Isles, Canada, and the United
States, as well as the very interesting songs daily being composed
in Newfoundland.
These last are of exceptional interest. A complete collection of
them would, I am surc, give a complete history of the island, from
the early I l gams " aboard the fishing vessels of all nations who came
to fish the Banks and to dry their catch ashore, through social movements like the emigration of the nineties, to politics, wars, sea
disasters and everyday life, including folk-motifs, and of a tone quite
different from the historical ballads composed by the ruling classes.
Compare, for example, with Tennyson's HCharge of the Light Brigade" that song of the Crimean war called "The Russian Shore":
There's many a tender mother and many a sisler dear,
And many a handsome fair one, in salt and briny tear,
That's mourning for their own true love, the lad they do adore,
That lies dead and ghastly wounded, allan the Russian shore.

And this also with a point of view not tolerated in formal history:

o a ship in distress, me love, is a wonderful sight,

Like a reg'ment of soldiers just going to fight,
Where a soldier can heave down his fire-arms and run,
But a sailor he must yield to whatsomever may come.
The Newfoundlanders make up a song about any happening, usually
tragic, which affects them. The surprising thing is that they will
use, and apparently understand, words which never appear in their
daily speech. In "The Greenland Disaster," composed by Mrs. John
\Valsh of Fleur de Lys, occur such expressions as H Boreas blew with
vengeance," and "It crowned their labors with delight, the prospect
been so great."
In the way they are sung, as well as in subject matter, the Newfoundland songs are more like the Nova Scotian than like those of
any other region I have been able to examine. Mackenzie's vivid
and channing description of the Nova Scotian traditional style of
singing (in Tlte Quest oj tlte Bollad) indicates something closer to the
Newfoundland style tban either the English style or that described

XXXVlli

INTRODUCTION

by Cecil Sharp from the Appalachians. The traditional mode of

singing used by the older men differs from the straight-ahead rendering employed by the younger. The traditional singer half reclines on
the raised end of the typical wnoden sofa and, after protesting
modestly that he "has the cold" and "never could sing anyway,"
he gives judicious attention to the little movable spitbox, filled with
sawdust and conveniently placed under the sofa. Then, fixing his
eyes on vacancy, he begins his song. He sings with unchanged volume of tone, without effort at impersonation. The chief characteristic of his singing is the embellishment of the basic melody with the
greatest possible variety of turns, slurs, grace notes, quavers, unexpected accents, and subtle syncopations. His audience listen with
sympathy and kindled imagination, just as Americans listen to
"Home, Sweet Home," and as the story develops, emotion is roused.
When he comes to about the middle of the last line, he stops singing
and mumbles the rest in his speaking voice, thus indicating the conclusion of the song and his descent to earth from the heights of
Parnassus. Although a perfectly familiar convention to a Newfoundland audience, this conclusion is so surprising to Americans
that they invariably laugh, however tragic the song.
It is probably impossible to reproduce such a song on paper. The
basic melody and the most constant embellishments can be shown,
but even Cecil Sharp's careful notation cannot convey the flavor of
the style to one who has not heard it. It is a true style, just as
"crooning" or "bel cantoH are styles, and its essence must be conveyed to the mind through the ear not through the eye. In" The
Maid of Newfoundland" Miss Yarrow has done her best to represent it. Perhaps future ballad books will be illustrated with a phonograpb record in an envelope, just as histories are to-day with
facsimiles. The traditional style is more generally preserved in the
dance tunes than in the songs. Youngsters of even eight or ten
years are singing dance tunes to-day in Newfoundland in exact imitation of the older men's rendering.
Although Newfoundland song composers model their verses after
the words of other songs they know, without acknowledgment,
when they compose a new tune to fit the words they always say
what tune they used as a basis. Frequently they expressed surprise
at our taking the trouble to record the air. "You can make your
own tune, can't you?" they objected. l\fr. Tom White, the singer
of Sandy Cove, rebuked the children when they grew restless as
Miss Yarrow labored with a fine but difficult tune. "Come, now,
and seel" he commanded. "Them scratches is the h'air." But we

INTRODUCTION

xxxix

noticed that in many cases the tune used for the rendering of a song
varied no more in any ballad than the text; so I do not believe that
they II make up their own tune II every time, any more than we do.

When the words of a new ballad are printed without music in the
papers, the tune varies with the locality. Some airs seem to be
carryalls for many diverse occasions. Such a tune is that of "The

Lumber Camp Song," which I recorded in r92o. We found in r929

that the TwilIingate men used it for the words of their sealing song,
and we heard it on the Strait of Bell Isle as a dance tune, with most
interesting changes of accent.
Not so much study, apparently, has been given to the age of the
ballad tunes as to the age of the texts. Prohably the oldest tunes
in our collection are those in the various modes and I' gapped scales,"
such as are also common in the Appalachians and the British Isles.
In the tunes, as in the texts, the law holds true that the older the
composition, the more it varies in different localities. The tunes
for" The Drowsy Sleeper" furnish good material for the study of
this process of variation. Some Newfoundland tunes retain the

mood and rhythm, though not the melody, of their Old World
counterpartsj compare the airs for ({The Unquiet Grave" with
Cecil Sharp's air for this song from England. Other tunes retain
enough of their characteristics to be recognized. Thus "Vilikins
and his Dinah" may be recognized in the air for" The Crowd of
Bold Sharemen." The tunes for "The Dark-Eyed Sailor" and a
few of the recent nineteenth-century songs were the only ballad
tunes we found diffused without change. The dance tunes seem to
preserve their identities more perfectly than the ballad tunes.
HKeel Row," HDarling Nellie Gray," "Johnny, Fill up the Bowl"

(which I know as "The Three Crows"), and many others may be

recognized in spite of the unfamiliar style of rendition.
There are hosts of lovely airs now heing sung in Newfounclland.
I wish that this record might serve as an inspiration to the use of
these well-loved melodies in compositions reflecting the spirit of

the twentieth century.

ELISABETH BRISTOL GREENLEAF
11ARsHALL COLLEGE
HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA

xl

INTRODUCTION
A NOTE ABOUT THE MUSIC

IT IS a vivid experience for one accustomed to the two modes of

American popular music, the major and the artificial minor, to hear
a Newfoundland fisherman sing in the pure Dorian, or in the middle
of a song slip casually into the Mixolydian mode. These two and the
olian appear frequently in the songs, although the majority are
in the usual major. (The non-technical reader may identify the
scales of these modes by playing the white keys on the piano from D
to D for the Dorian, G to G for the Mixolydian, A to A for the
olian or "natural minor," and C to C for the major.) Perhaps
because the Newfoundlanders we heard never harmonized any song,
neither the H hannonic" nor the It melodic" minor occurs in their
music. On the other hand, we found also no instances of the rarer
modes, such as the Phrygian, or of songs in a pentatonic scale. In a
very few, only six notes of the scale are employed. "Bold Wolfe"
(No. 44) and "The Duke of Argyle" (::\0. 39) are splendid melodies
in the Dorian mode. The Irish song "Yankee Land" (, '0. 96) is
gently mournful in the olian. Pat Mooney, in singing "The
Drunkard's Dream" (No. 73), unconsciously emphasized its strong
Mixolydian flavor by sliding down to the seventh note and lingering
there.
Besides a number of songs in each of these modes separately, there
are many which illustrate interesting comhinations of two modes.
In "The Wreck of the S. S. Flori=d" (No. 140), a typical come-allye, the major is used in the first and fourth phrases, which are identical, whereas the second and third phrases, also identical, are clearly
Mixolydian. In some songs the hlend is more puzzling. "The Bonny
Bunch of Roses" (No. 84), one of the loveliest we heard, contains
cadences in both the Dorian and the major, yet has not the definite
color of either. One of the notes in the scale, which might determine
lhe matter, does not occur in the song. The modes of the melodies
have been noted in the headings, except where the major is assumed.
The songs usually follow conventional rhythmic patterns and are
readily expressed in the common metres, 4/4, 3/4, and 6/8. There
are, however, many deliberate changes in metre which are very interesting in such short musical compositions. These are to be distinguished from the rubalo variations in which individual singers
often indulged, holding or hurrying over particular noles in a very
characteristic fashion. In some instances the singer interrupts the
regular metre at certain points by adding a beat to a measure. In his

I TRODUCTION

xli

version of "Polly Oliver" (No. 23) Uncle Tom White did this consistently, perhaps for emphasis. Or the change may he more drastic.
The melody of "Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight" (No. r) begins in
4/4 and then swings into a definite 5/4 rhythm toward the end.
"The Beggarman" (No.5) has a similar transition from 4/4 into
3/4' The melody of "Wexford City" (No. 27) displays the greatest
freedom from metrical conventions and follows instead the prose
rhythm of the words.
In recording the songs, I took especial pains to fit one verse to the
tune exactly as it was sung. Occasionally, where the first verse
seemed introductory rather than peculiar to the song, I have chosen
some other stanza. The tunes, or U airs U as the ewfoundJanders
called them, which Mrs. Greenleaf collected are credited to her in the
headings; otherwise the recording is mine. Professor George S.
Dickinson, head of the music department at Vassar College, made
suggestions for improving the notation of the melodies and read
the music proof.
GRACE YAJUtOW MANSFIELD
NEW HAVEN, CONN.

JULY I, 1932

ABBREVIATIO S
BARRY,

AND SMYTH. Phillips Barry, Fannie Hardy Eckstorm, and

Mary Wmslow Smyth, British BaUads from
M aifle. New Haven, 19'9.
BELDEN ................... II. M. Belden, A Partial List of Song-Ballads
and Olher Popular Poetry kmJ'Uffl in Afissouri. Second edition, 1910.
Olive
Dame Campbell and Cecil J. Sharp,
CAMPBELL AND SHAu .
English Folk Songs from Ihe Souther" Appalodtians. New York, 1914.
CHILD .............. Francis James Child, Tlte English and Scottish Poplllar Ballads. Boston, 1883 fr.
Joanna C. Colcord, Roll and Go. Songs of
COLCORD.
AmericatJ Sai/ormen. Indianapolis, 1924.
COM:BS.
Josiah H. Combs, Folk-Songs du Midi des
Eta/s-Ums. Paris, 1925.
John Harrington Cox, Folk-SolJgs of lhe
Cox
.
SOil/II. Cambridge, 1925.
DAVIS
Arthur Kyle Davis, Jr., Traditional BaJlads
of Virginia. Cambridge, 1929.
DEAN .........
l\I. C. Dean, The Flying Cloud, and '50 Other
Old Time Poems and Ballads. Virginia,
:Minnesota, 1922.
Ec:KSTORll: A}l;'l) SllYTR . . . . . . .. Fannie Hardy Eck.slorm and Mary Winslow
Smyth, Mi11Strdsy of Maine. Boston,
19'7
Charles J. Finger, Frolltier Ballads. Garden
FINCER
City, 19'7.
F't.ANDERS A.VD BROWN
Helen Hartness Flanders and George Brown,
Vtrtnmd Folk-Songs alld BaJlads. Brattleboro, [1931J.
FuSON .....
. .. Harvey H. FUSOD, Ballads of lI,e Ke"lUky
Higltkmds. London [1931].
GUy
.
Roland Palmer Gray, Songs aud &Jl<Jds of
the AIai,r.e Lumberjacks with Other Songs
from Alaine. Cambridge, 1924.
Gavin Greig, Folk-So"g of the Nortll-&sl.
GJl.EIG ..
Peterhead, 1914.
Arthur Palmer Hudson, SpUi1n.tM of MissisHUDSON .......
sippi. FolkLore. Ann Arbor, 1928.
JOODJAL ... The Joumal of Ameriam Folk-Lore.
ECXSTORl&,

xliv

ABBREVIATION

K>:rm

Alexander Keith, Lost tart's oj Traditional

&llads o"d &JkJd .1 if s, coUected in Aberdeenshin: by lb. lat. Gavin G,..;g. Aberdeen. 1925.

LoMAX .....
MACU.'ZU:

. . . .. John A. Lomu, Cowboy SOllgs and OtJru

Frontier Ba1ldds. New York, 1910, 1922.
W. Roy Mackenzie, &JkJ$ and SQJ Songs
from .VON SCI/ill. Cambridge, 1928.
Josephine )IcGill, Folk-Songs of tlu Ken
tudy Mountai"s. 'ew York [19(7].
. .. :Manus O'Conor, OM Tjrru: Stm;s and BaJJads

'

McGn.L.
O'COSOR

oj ["Iond (also called lris4 C<>OHJIl-Y"'s).

Kew York, 1001.

John Oni, TM BOI/,y Songs and &/ldds oj

OR

A Mrdun, Banff alld Mor~y, A.ngus and

tire Mearns. Paisley, 1930.

POl:l\'l) (with page reference only) Louise Pound, FDlk-Song oj .\'chrasia Gnd the
em/roJ West, A Syllabus. Sebraska Academy of Sciences,

POUXD (with number reference)

Pllbtjc~ions.

vol.

IX,

NO3
Louise Pound, .1mt'riaJ,. Ballads a,ul SOIIfIS.
New York, 1922.

RICIlARDSON

Ethel Park Richardson, Amuican },folmkJin

Songs, edited by Sigmund Spaeth. New

RtCK.ABY

Franz Rickaby, &JloJs and Simg of lJIe

York [1927].

Sllallty-Boy. Cambridge, 1926.

SANDBUIlG ....
Sn:E.u.JN

AND

Cons.

SaOEllAK.R

Carl Sandburg, The America" 01lgoog. New

York [1927].
Jo~h Combs, A
Syllabus of Ktlltllcky Folk.songs. Trollsyloonia Studies ill English, vol. n. Lexington,
Kentucky, 1911.

Hubert G. Shearin and

Rent)' W. Shoemaker, Jfou"/iJill. Minstrosy

of Pnrns)'lwmiG. Bcing a. Third Edition of

lite North Ptmuyl-cat,ia Minstrels)'. Philadelphia, 1931.
S.IlITH _.. ..

Reed Smith, Soulll Carolina Ball6ds. Cam-

THOMAS. . . .

Jean

WILLIAJIS .....

Alfred \\';Uw.., Folk.sonls of /iI< Up;rr

Tka",u, London [1923],

bridge, 1928.
Thomas, Dml's Di.Uiu being Stories of
Ihe Kettlucky Moulllai'J People with Me
Songs li,,:y Sing. Chicago, 1931.

BALLADS A D SEA SO OS OF
EWFOU TDLAI D

LADY ISABEL AND THE ELF KNIGHT

(CmI.D, NO.4)

Sung by Mrs. Minnie Payne, Green Point, 1920.

'#

~1 J I J.

Recorded by E. B. G.

InnwtkrQJ,"""

6. "Now

you

i
pull

06

D~J

J J' 1 J SIJ
pare for your wa - t'ry tomb.

iJ'1

ala a r
For

nine

Icing's daugh-ters I

~FW' i J. i i J 14- lJl fJ DltLO

C,..../

ha\-e drownded here. And the

tenth

'-

one

'-"

you

There was a youth, a well-heloved youth,

He was a squire's son,
He courted an innkeeper's daughter,

He courted her a long winter's night,

And many a long summer's day,
And all he courted his fair lady for
Was to take her sweet life away.

shall

be."

Now get some of your father's gold, U said he,

H And some of your mother's fee,
And we will go to a far counteree,
And married we will be."
II

4 So she took some of her father's gold,

And some of her mother's fee,
And walked till she came to her father's stahle door,
Where lay horses thirty and three.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

She mounted on a lily-white steed,

And he on a silvery gray,
And she rode till they came to a clear riverside
Six hours belore it was day.
6 "Now you pull oiT your clothes," he said,
II And prepare for your wat'ry tomb,
For nine king's daughters I have drownded here,
And the tenth one you shall be."
"Turn, 0 turn, you false-hearted youth,
Come tu m your back un to me!

I don't think such a villain as you

A naked woman should see."

He turned himself quite round about;

In bitter grief she did weep,
And with all of the strength this fair lady had
She pushed him into the deep.
9

HO swim, 0 swim, you false-hearted youth!

I think you've got your doom;
For I don't think your clothes too costly
For to lie in a watery tomb."

10

She mounted on her lily-white steed,

And led his silvery gray,
And she got back to her father's stable door
Three hours before it was day.

II

Her father been so hazily awoke,

Which caused him to say,

"What makes you prattle, my pretty parrot dear,

So long before it is day?"
12

HThere was two cats came at my cage-door,

They came for to carry me away,
And I called upon my young misteress
To drive those cats away."

13

"Hold your tongue, my pretty parrot dear,

Now hold your tongue," said she,

"Your cage shall be made of the yellow beaten gold,

And shall hang on a willow tree."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

'B
Recited by Mrs. Susan Walters, Rocky Harbour,
I

1920.

There was an elf knight come from the north land,

And he came a-courting me;

He said he would take me unto the north land,

And there he would marry me.
2

get me some of your father's gold,

And some of your mother's fee,

110,

Two 01 the best nags out 01 the stable,

Where there stands thirty and three."

So I got some 01 my lather's gold,

And some of my mother's fee,
Two 01 the best nags out 01 the stable,
Where there stands thirty and three.
4 He mounted on a milk-white steed,
And she on a dapple gray,
And they rode till they came to the salt-sea side
Two hours before it was day.
"Alight, alight, my pretty lady,
And deliver it all to me,
Alight, alight," said he,
For six pretty maidens I have drownded here,

And you the seventh sball be.

And the seventh you shall be.
llpull off, pull off your silken hose,
And deliver it unto me,

The parrot was up in the window so higb,

"What ails you, what ails you, my pretty lady,
Tbat you knock. so long belore day?"

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

c
Mrs. Robert N. Cleverdon recited this ballad to me in New York City in 1918,
and it is the first ballad I ever recorded. Mrs. Cleverdon came from Halifax,
and ber Nova Scotian version was a very fine one. Unfortunately I have lost
it, and remember only these stanzas:

"Take of!, take of! your gay clothing,

And hang it on a tree,
For six king's daughters I've drownded here,
And you the seventh shall be."
2

"Then turn your head, you false-hearted villain,

Then turn your head from me,
For 'twould be a sin, such a false-hearted villain
A naked woman to see."

3 He turned his head all round about,

His eyes to the willow tree,
She cast her arms about his body
And threw him into the sea.
4

"Lie there, lie there, thou false-hearted villain,

Lie there instead of me;
Six king's daughters thou'st drowned here,
But the seventh hath drownded thee."
"Well done, well done, my pretty poll parrot!
Thou'st told no news of me,
And your cage shall be made of the fine beaten gold,
And locked with an ivory key."

This ballad is very widely known. See Cox, No. I j Mackenzic, No. t; Campbell
and Sharp, No.2; Smith, No. Ij Davis, No.2; Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth,
pp. 14-34; Flanders and Brown, pp. 190--192; Hudson, No. Ij Henry, JOltrtJot,
XI.ll, 254-256; Fauset, Folklore from Nova Scotia, p. 109; Sandburg, pp. 6o-61j
Bulletin of the Folk-Song Society of the Northeast, No. I, pp. 3-4; Keith, No. I-

I have not been able to find any tune similar to the one hus. Payne used. Mrs.
Payne's first stanza is the first stanza of liThe Bailiff's Daughter of Islington"
(Child, No. 105).

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
2

LORD ROBERT
(EARL BRAND, CHILD, NO.7)
Communicated by Mrs. Maude Roberts Simmonds, Glenburnie,
Bonne Bay, 1930, from the singing of Mrs. Minnie Payne.
I

Are you asleep or awake?" Lord Robert he cried,

II Or is you yet at home?
Arise and take care of your youngest brother J
For the oldest must come along with me."

1/

'I

Arise and arise, you seven sons,

And buckle on your armour so bright,

For it never shall be said that a daughter of mine
Shall get married to lord, duke or a knight."
When she saw her seven brothers fall,
For none of them she never shed a tear,

But when she saw her old father fall,

It was her old father she loved so dear.
4

II Gerehan, 0 Gerehan, Lord Robert/' she cried,

1I Your blows they are wonderful sore.
For sweetheart I might have anyone,
A father I will never have no more."

Are you going along with me?" Lord Robert he cried,

1I Or will you tarry at home?"
II I will go along with you/' Lady Margaret she cried,
('You have leaved me no other guide."
II

6 He mounted on his lily white steed,

And led the deeper gray,
He sounded up his bugle horn
And aloud he did play,
As he went bleeding along the highway.
He rode till he came to his mother's bower-gate,
He knocked and rang, sayin':
HOpen the bower-gate, dear mother,'l he cried,
"For my dear lady I have win.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

8 "Make my bed so solt and fine,

And stick it round with roses red.
Lay Lady Margaret down by my side,
And the sounder I will sleep."
9 Lady Margaret she died at eigbt o'clock,
Lord Robert he died hefore day;
I hope every loving couple ever meet together
Have more joy and comlort than they.
See Mackenzie, No.2 (with references); Campbell and Sharp, No. Jj Cox,
TO. 2; Hudson, NO,'i Davis, NO.4; Henry, If,,.rnoJ.
NO4_

XUI,

256-257; Keith,

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

3
THE TWA SISTERS
(Cmw, No. 10)
Recited by Mrs. Walters, Senior, Rocky Harbour,

1920.

There was two sisters named Jane fary Anne,

I was a gay and a gandy,
They both was loved by one young man,
Going down by the bonny boos of London.

Her father give the oldest a gay gold ring,

And be loved the youngest twice as much.
Said the oldest to the youngest one day:
"We'll go and watch our father's ships sailing in."
The oldest put ber foot upon the stone,
Tbe youngest shoved ber in all alone.
Tbe miller come out with his fishing pan,
He brougbt this lady on dry land.

6 He did not know ber beautiful face,

For it was covered all in lace.
He did not know ber yellow bair,
For lbe lumps of gold was banging there.
S One day her true love was passing by,
And out from ber a gbost did cry.
9 "Tell Sweet William, my own true love,
Tbat bere I'm drownded all alone."
This is a tantali.z.ing fragment of a very interesting ballad. 'The relationships are
confused, and there is no U3ce of the dramatic wedding feast at which the lover
plays on the harp be has made from the hair of the drowned maiden, which
speaks out and accuses the cruel sister. See Campbell and Sharp, NO.4; Cox,
. 0. Jj Davis, .. 0.5; BatT)\ Eckstorm, and Smyth, pp. 40-46; Hudson,. "0. J;
Richardson, p. 27. Cf. Archer Taylor, "The English, Scottish, and American
"ersions of IThe Twa Sisterst''' ]ourtuJl. XLIl, 238-246; Barry, Bulk/in oj the
FoIk-S(mt Socidy of lite Northe~/J NO.3, pp. 11-14; Journal of Ure Polk-Sotll
SOCiety, vm, 249 (tunes); Thomas, pp. 10'--13.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

10

4THE BONNY BANKS OF THE VIRGIE, 0

(BABYLON; OR, THE BONNIE BANKS 0' FORDIE, CUlLD,

Sung by May, Mildred, and Victoria White, Sandy Cove,

No.

14)

1929.

AEoUAN MODE

yo~ Ia

Three

J
lone - Iy

- dies went for

walk, Too

3.

I=!:::::::::t=

F?i4ll4J J

0,

And they met a rob - her

f!#.JJ:JJ
bon - ny, boo - oy banks

WJ
of

the

SP 41
.
Icc, ond

J J J,
J'

their way, On the

1
T
Vir

j
gie,

I Three young ladies went 10I a walk,

Too ra lee, and a lonely 0,

And they met a robber on their way,

On the bonny, bonny banks 01 the Virgie, O.
2

He took the fust one by the band,

He whipped heI Iouod till be made her stand.
He took the second one by the band:
HI'd rather die by my penknife."

4 He took the third one by the hand:

uPd rather my brothers 're here to-night."
"What is your brothers, I pray you tell? U
HFor one is a robber like yoursel'!'

6 "What did the other, I pray you tell?"

uThe other is a minister, sir," said she.
"Lord have mercy for what I have donet
I have murdered my three sisters all but one! II

O.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

II

8 He took the penknife in his hand,

And 'twas there he took his own sweet life.
Here is the first record of Child. '0. 14. on t.bis side of the Atlantic. There is
an ellipsis whereby the first twelve stanzas are condensed to fOUT, but the com
plete slory is indicated. Two brothers are mentioned instead of one. It would
be most interesting to compare the Scottish air with the one from Newfound
land. The girls, who were real English beauties, sang it in unison, keeping strict
rhythm. We suspected that anyone of them was loo shy to sing it alone I Cf.

Keith, No.6.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

12

5
THE BEGGAR fAN
(HIND HORN, CmLD, No. 17)
Sung by Daniel Endacott, Sally's Cove, 1921.
Recorded by E. B. G.
AEoUAN MODE

I'

8J

ill

IJ r F
,ee,

aI

illl)J"J

V'b~ .e J'
court-ing

J'

this place, They was

a young cou-pIe they lived in

0, 'twas oC

,
J

by each

;' J'
0-

.;I'

ther. you may plain - ly

Un-

J, 1 )111
til

strange news

was

come

to

'----him,

I@~bb~ 2 J.. l Die c J' J' I 4. J'

he

would

sail

in

far

l'
r

--/

That

J I Ji II
j

coun ter - ee.

0, 'twas 01 a young couple they lived in this place,

They was courting by eacb other, you may plainly see,
Until strange news was come to him,
That he would sail in alar counteree'

When they was a-parting, she gived to him

A gay gold ring ...
"When you looks at the ring and it's bright and clear,
You know I am constant to my dear.

"And when you looks at your ring and 'tis pale and wan,
You may know Pm engaged with some other young man."
4 Then he took a ship and away sailed he,
He sailed till he came to alar counteree;
He looked at his ring and 'twas bright and clear,
He knowed she was constant to her dear.
1

Var.: That he was sailing in a far counteree.

l\1R,s. PATRICK LAH.\', SR.

!\Ill. ASO i\fRS. OAI'i'IEL E"OACOTT

Fortune Harbour

AND GRANDCHILDREN

Sally's Cove

~h. WILL WHITE, JR. AND DANCER

i\1R.

TOM WHITE AND l\fR. WILL WHITE

Sandy Cove

Sandy Cove
'\'l-\\

FOUXDL-\r-;D

SI:-J(;cKS

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

13

And then he took a ship and away sailed he,

Re sailed till he came to the Turkish shore;
He looked at his ring and 'twas pale and wan,
He knowed she was engaged with some other young man.
Then he took a ship and back sailed he,
He sailed till be came to his own countereej
As he was riding along one day I
And who should he meet but an old beggarman?
HWhat news, beggarman, have you for me?"
Bad news, bad news, I have for thee;
Bad news, bad news, I have (or thee,
For to-morrow is your true-love's wedding day."
H

lIO, you'll give to me your bag and rig,

And I'll give to you my riding steed."
H My bag and rig is no good for thee,
Nor your riding steed is no good for me."

o let it be so, or let it be not,

The beggar's rig he then put on.
IIBeggarman, beggarman, come tell me with speed,
What must I do with your bag and rig? 11
10 HYou'll walk as fast as is your will
Until you come to yonder hill,
And you'll walk as fast as is your rate,
And you'll lean on your staff in wayward state,"
II

II And you'll beg from Peter and you'll beg from Paul,
You'll beg from the highest to the lowest of them all,
And from none of them you'll receive nothing
Until you receives it from the bride's own hand."

12

He walked as fast as was his will

Until he came to yonder hill,
And he walked as fast as was his rate,
And he leaned on his staff in wayward state.

'3

He begged from Peter and he begged [10m Paul,

He begged from the highest to the lowest of them all,
And from none of them he received nothing
Until he received it from the bride's own hand.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

14

As she came trippling down the stairs

With rings on her fingers, gold bobs on her hairs,
And a glass of wine in her hand so small,
And she gave it to the old beggarrnan.

15 Then out of the glass he drinks the wine,

And into the glass he slipped a ring.
"Did you get it by sea, or yet by land,
Or did you get it from a drownded man's hand?"
16 "I neither got it by sea, nor yet by land,
or yet did I get it from a dlOwned man's hand;
But I got it in a courting way,
And I give it to my true-love on her wedding day."
17 The rings from her fingers they fell on the floor,
Gold bobs from her hair she thIowed against the wall:
U I will go with you forevermore,
Supposing I beg my bread from door to door!"
18 Between the kitchen and the hall
The beggar's rig he then let fall;
For he shines the blackest among them all,
He's the richest man that's in the hall.
The Hind Hom story is an old favorite. The earliest text is a twelfth..century
romance. For particulars, see Lhe critical study by Walter R. Nelles in Journal,
xxn, 4J fr. The ballad has been printed only once before from North America
in two texts (one a fragment) from New Brunswick, by Barry, Eckstorm, and
Smyth, pp. 13-80, d. pp. 471)-481 (with discussion of the air, p. xxv). These
correspond very closely to the Newfoundland ballad, and it is a source of satis.faction to be able to compare the airs as well as the words. The two are undoubtedly related, as they are similar in mood, general rhythm, and certain
intervals. .Mr. Endacott said be had forgotten the beginning of the ballad.
ce. Keith, No. 10.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

IS

6
FAIR FLOWERS OF HELlO
(THE

CRUEL MOTHER, CmLD,

No. 20)

Sung by Agatha Walsh, Fleur de Lys, 1930.

lVilh swinging rhythm

~OLVDlAN

MODE

.Wl1 J' I-go;' 11 r' tLLItiM

Tberewas a

I@)p

la~dylivcd

in NewYork,FairOowerso( He-Ii -o,Sbewas

GJ J'IJ J 1 J llti#J'1J 11 U

court - cd of her

fa-ther'sclerk.In the green hills of

He - li - o.

There was a lady lived in New York,

Fair flowers of Helio,
She was courted of her father's clerk,
In the green hills of Hetio.
2
She had two babes by this young man,
She prayed to God it would never be known.
Sbe took a penknife long and sharp
And pierced it thIough their tender white hearts.
4 Those two babes will never be known;
And she buried them under a marble stone.
As she was walking along one day,
She saw two babes playing with a ball.
6 "0 children dear, if you were mine,
I'd dress you up in silks so fine."
H 0 mother dear, when we were thine,
You wouldn't give us time to wear coarse or fine.
S "Heaven is high and hell is low,
And when you die, it's to hell you'll go."
I

This is a widely diffused ballad, found in Nova Scotia (Mackenzie, NO.3) and in
several of the United States. See Cox, No. Si Campbell and Sharp, No. 9; Davis,
NO9; Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, pp. 80-93; McGill, pp. 82-86; Fuson,
PPSg-OO. Cf. Journal oj the Folk-Song Society, Vill, 248 (tune)j Keith, No. II.
For a broadside text see Fawcett, Broadside Ballads (Osterley Park), pp. ISO-

'53

16

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

GREENWOOD SIDING
Recited by Mrs. Susan Walters, Rocky Harbour,

There was a lady lived in York,

All along in a loney,
She fell in love with her father's clerk
Down by the greenwood siding.

She fell in love till it could be seen;

She fell in love till it could not be hid.

1920.

3 She leaned her back against the wall,

And there she had two babies horn.
4 She had nothing to clothe them in
But one old apron and that was thin.
S

She had a penknife long and sharp;

She pierced those tender babies' heart.

6 She went to the rivet to wash her kniIe;

She couldn't get the hlood off to save her life.
She saw two babes playing with the ball.
8 "Babes, 0 babes, iI you was mine,
I would dress you up in silk so fine."
9

10

II

"Mother, a mother, when we were thine,

You neither dressed us in coarse nor fine. JJ

"Babes, 0 babes, then can you tell

Where I must go to, heaven or hell?"
H:lfother, 0 mother, we're sorry to tell

Your soul must be in depths of hell.

12

" There is a hell so large and deep,

The steps is there, just fitting your feet."

The Walterses thought this had been known in their family since

might have come to

ewfoundland from Jersey_

1820,

and

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

17

7
LORD ATEMAN
(YOUNG BEICHAN, CmLD, No. 53)
Recited by Henry Albert White, Sandy Cove, [929.

uThere's seven long years I will wait for you,

There's seven long years and eleven months three."
She took the keys of her father's prison,
Bound Lord Ateman she would go and see.
2

When she came to Lord Ateman's gate,

So boldly she knocked all at the gate,
"Who's there? Who's there?" cried the bold porter.
"Is this Lord Ateman, or is Lord Ateman within?"
"0 yes, 0 yes," cried the bold porter,
uFor he's just now brought his new bride in."

3 "Fetch some of your bread, beer, and wine so strong,

And not forget this young lady,
That eased him out of his prison strong."
4 Lord Ateman flew all in a passion,
He kicked the table in splinters three,
Saying, "You've come here on your own speculation,
You may go home in your coaches, free."

Where there was bread, beer, and wine so strong,

And not forgetting this young lady,
Who eased him out of his prison strong.
This fragment is all that we heard of the fine old ballad in which the Turkisb
lady frees the English lord from prison, and after waiting for bim to return,
finally goes to his castle, just as his wedding with another (with coaches three)
is taking place. To the glory and honor of men, Lord Aleman at once welcomes
the Turkish lady and sends the other lady home. The ballad is widely distributed. Phillips Barry prints it from a Boston broadside of the early nineteenth
century (JollrttaJ, XVIn. 209 n.). See h-fackenzie. No. Si Campbell and Sharp,
No. 12; Joumal of the Fo/k-Stmg Society. VII. SIS (tune); Keith, No. 22j Cox,
No.8; Davis, No. 12; Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, pp. 106-122j Flanders and
Brown, pp. 204-27; Smith, No. S; Hudson, No.8; Parsons, Journal, XLI,
S86-S88j Henry, Journal, XLIl, 2Sl}-262.

18

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

8
LORD THOMAS
(LORD THOMAS AND FAIR ANNET, CHILD, No. 73)
Recited by Mrs. Susan Walters, Rocky Harbour, 1929.
1

Lord Thomas was a gay forester

And the lodge-keeper of the king's deer;
Fair Elender was as fair a woman,
Lord Thomas he loved her well.

"Come rail it over, dear mother," he said,

"Come rail it over again,

Whether I must marry fair Elender,

Or bring the brown girl home."
3 "The brown girl she got houses and land,
Fair Elender she got none,
And therefore I charge you with my blessing
Go bring the brown girl home."
4 He went till he came to fair Elender's court,
So loudly knocked at the ring.
There was none so ready as fair Elender herself
To let Lord Thomas in.
"What news, what news, Lord Thomas?" she said,
"What news brings you to-day?"
"Bad news brings I, fair Elender," he says,
"Bad news I bring to thee.
I come to ask you to my wedding,
And I think that is bad news for thee."
6

Come rail it over, dear mother," she says,

U Come rail it over again,
If I must go to Lord Thomas' wedding,
H

Or if I must stay at home."

"Many may be your friends, my daughter,
But thousands are your foe,
And therefore I charge you with my blessing
To Lord Thomas' wedding don't go."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
g

If

Yes, many may be my friends, mother,

And thousands are my foes;

But betide to my life, betide to my death,

To Lord Thomas' wedding I'll go."

She dressed herself in rich array,

Her merry men all in green,
And every town that they went through,
They took her to be some queen.

ro When she came to Lord Thomas' court,

So loudly she knocked at the ring;
There was none so ready as Lord Thomas himseU

To let the fair Elender in.

n

He took her by the lily-white hand

And led her through the hall;
He placed her in the noblest chair
Among the ladies all.

12

HIs this your bride, Lord Thomas?" she said,

"She looks most wonderful brown.
You might have had as fair a woman
As ever trod England's ground."

13

"Despise her not, fair Elender," he said,

II Despise her not to mc;

Much better do I like your little finger

Than I do her whole body."
14

The brown girl had a little penknife,

It was both long and sharp,
Betwixt the long ribs and the short,
She pierced fair Elender's heart.

IS

.to, what's the matter?" Lord Thomas said,

"You look so pale and wan?
Vou used to have so fair a color
As ever the sun shone on."

16

Are you blind, Lord Thomas?" she said,

"Or can't you very well see?
And can't you see my own heart's blood
As it trinkles down to my knee? II
Il

19

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

20

17 Lord Thomas he has a sword by his side,

It was both long and small,
He cut the brown girl's head from her shoulders
And threw it against the wall.
18 He put his broadsword ...

19

Now dig me a grave," Lord Thomas he said,

" And dig it both wide and deep,
And lay fair lender by my side
And the brown girl at my feet."
U

This venerable SODg is not regarded by the young Newfoundlanders ~.jth the
respect due its long life and honorable history. 111 '5 a great song for laughing,"
said YOUDlJ Thomas Endacott, aged tv.enty. H Just imagine, when they \\ere all
lying in one grave. and the trump sounded for tbeJudgment Day, and they was
all scrabbling for their bones, if Lord Thomas should get one of the brown girl',
legs!" See Iaacnzie, So. 6; Campbell and Sharp, No. 16; Cox, No. 10; Davis,
No. t8; Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, pp. 128-139; Flanders and Brown, pp.
209'"""213; McGill, pp. 26-33; Shoemaker, pp. 160-161j Smith, No. s; Hudson,
No. 10j Henry, JounUJl, xm. 262-265; Keith. No. 28; Thomas, pp. ~i
FusoD, pp. 49-51. For a broadside text see Fawcett, B,OiJdsuu BaUads (Osluley
Park), pp. 172-17-4.
&

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

9
LADY MARGARET
(SWEET

WILLIAM'S GHOST,

CHILD, No. 77)

Communicated by Mrs. Maude Roberts Simmonds, Glenburnie,

Bonne Bay, 1930.

Lady Margaret was sitting in her low bower chamber

H

When she heard a dismal sound,

Is it the voice of my father Thomas?" she cried,

"Or is it my brother John?

Or is it my true love Sweet William
From Scotland home he has come? II
2

"It is not your father Thomas," he cried I

"And it is not your brother John,
But it is your true love Sweet William
From Scotland he has come,"

"Have you brought to me any jewelry, my love?

Have you brought to me any ring?
Have you brought to me any token at all
That a true love ought to bring?"
4 "I have brought to you no jewelry, my love;
I have brought to you no ring;
I have brought to you my white winding sheet
What my fair body do lie in."

He took her by the apron string,

Saying, llFollow, follow me."

And it's over the hills in a fine summer's night

In a dead man's company.
He walked till he came to the low churchyard,
Where the grass grow tall and green.
"Lady Margaret," he says,

this is the place

Where my fair body do dwell in."

II Have you any room at your bed head?" she cried,
fl Have you any room at your feet?
Have you any room at your right side
That I may lie down and sleep?"

2I

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

22

8 "My father is at my bed head," he said,

HMy mother is at my feet;

There is three hell-hounds around my right side,

Watching my poor soul to keep.
9 "One is for my drunk'ness," he said,
"The other is for my pride,

The other is for deluding of a fair pretty maid,

Tot making her for my bride."
10

He took her hy the lily-white hand

And he pressed her to his breast,
"Good night, good night, Lady Margaret," he said,
"And the great God grant you rest."

We also heard a few fragments which might be part of this ballad (see p. 76,

bolo,,):
"This very night I will lie with you
Although you're so many miles away."
"I'm come [rom my watery grave."
U

Is there any room at your feet for me?"

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

23

10

THE UNQUIET GRAVE

(CmLD, No. 78)

VI
Sung by Mrs. Rosie White, Sandy Cove, 1929.
RaJ~r sltnllly

MAJOR AND MIxOLYDlAN MODES

e1

1@"41 1J#44dJ IJ
Tberebeen

fall - ing drops

I@" r D @J.
heav

I@"

n9
'-=

falls

of

dew,

Ir

I've

And

Or DI

- ly

the green fields

be

There been falling drops of dew, sweetheart,

And heavy falls of rain;
I've only had but one sweetheart,
On the green fields he was slain.

I would do so much for my sweetheart

As any young maid may;
I'll sit and mourn upon his grave
For a twelvemonth and a day.
When the twelvemonth and a day been up
This young man rose and spoke;
"What keeps you mourning upon my grave?
You will not let me sleep.
4 flWhy do you weep, why do you mourn?
What do you want of me?"
H One kiss, one kiss from your lily-white lips
That's aU I want of thee. Jl
"My lily-white lips are cold as clay,
And my breath smells vile and strong;
If you takes one kiss from my lily-white lips,
Your time it won't be long."
2

sweet-heart,

had

but

......I
sweet-heart, On

rain:

of

slain.

BALLADS AND SEA SO GS

"Down yonder meadow where the grass grows green,
\Vhere you and I used to walk,
The prettiest Bowers that ever we had seen
It is withered unto the stalk.
U It is withered unto the stalk, sweetheart,
And the leaves will never return;
But since I have lost my own sweetheart
What shall I do but mourn?"

8 uMoum not for me, my own true Jove,

1I.1ourn not for me, I pray,
So I must leave you and all the whole world,
And go into my grave."

2J
THE AULD SONG FROM COW HEAD
Sung by the Rev. Gibbs Bull, Ezploits, J929.

s....,
Ho. c:auJd

btav - y

those winds

drops

of

,.;",

And

she

do

dear

' ' "hat

!wi but

........,

'-'
true love,

Laird,

from

slain.

How cauld those winds do blow, dear Laird,

What heavy drops of rain I
I never had but one true love,
And she from me was slain.
Thi! is tbe first record of this moving ballad in North America. Mrs. Rosie
White's air is similar in its first phrase to the air for "The Two Brothel"!"
(Child, TO. 49), as printed in Brilish &J/tJdsjrom AlaiM, p. 99. Campbell and
Sharp print three verses of "TbeTwo Brothers" (Xo. 11. H. C, and Dj Child,
No. 49) which are like verK$of flThe Unquiet Grave." The two bal1adsare evi.
dently allied. and it is inleTesting to see that the connection is retained in the
music as well as in the words. For "The l"nquiet Grave" in England see Mer.
rick, Folk-SOftlt from Susser (Book V of Sharp's Folk-S(ffIIS D/ En'/Qn4), pp.
16-21 i Sbarpand Marson. Folk SOflls/romSomn-sd,I, 14-15; Sharp, One Bundred &IIWt FolksMt,s, 1\0. 24 (1\iLh notes. pp. uvii-uviii); Sharp, Eng/id
Ptllk S"",S, n, 18-19 (and references, p_ Iii)j A. Williams. FtIlk-Stmlt o/Ik
Uppu Thamu. p. 16; Leather, The FolkLort. 0/ B~rif(Hdthirt. pp. 202-203;
JounuJl D/1Ju Folk-Stml Soddy, VW, 20-27 (tune only).

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

II

GIL MORISSY
(Cmw MAURlCE, Cmw, No. 83)
Recited by Mrs. S. Walters, Rocky Harbour,

1920.

"Here's a letter come from Giles Morissy,

Sen t carefully here hy me,
Here's a letter come from Giles Morissy,
For to let no one see. 11

jl

If it's a letter from Gil Morissy

It's welcome unto me. H

The lady's hushand overheard these words and was jealous of Gil
Morissy, so he went out and

3 He saw a youth on a milk-white steed,

Comhing ou t his yellow hair.
He challenged him to fight and killed him. The lady went out and
made this lament over his grave, for he was her son,
H

I nursed you up in the good greenwoods,

Beneath all grief and shame,

I've sat down by your cradle

And rocked you fast asleep,
And now I do sit by your grave,
And bitter tears do weep."
It

The hushand replied:

6

"If I'd known Gil Morissy heen your son,

He'd never been slain by me."

Cf. Journal oj the Folk-Song Society,

il, 110-111;

Keith, No 31.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

12

BARBREE ELLEN
(BONNY BARBARA ALLAN,

Cmr.D, No.

84)

Communicated by Mrs. Maude Roberts Simmonds, Glenburnie,

Bonne Bay, 1930.
I

So early, early, all in the spring,

When the little birds were singing,

A young man on his deathbed lay,

In love with Barbree Ellen.'
2

fI

Come bridle me a milk-white colt,

Come saddle me a pony J

That I may ride to his bedside

And see if he is dying."
So quickly she put on her clothes,
So slowly she rode to him.
As she rode up to his bedside,
She says, "Young man, you're dying."
4

110 dying, dear? Don't you say so,

For one kiss from you will cure me."
It

One kiss from me you never shall get,

If your poor heart is breaking.

"Can you remember last Saturday night

You were in some alehouse drinking?
You drank an health to all fair girls

And slighted Barbree Ellen."

If you go up to my bedside,
There you'll find my gold bowl standing;
There is my gold bowl, it's filled with tears
I shed for Barbree Ellen.
H

"So you go up to my bedside,

There you'll find my gold watch hanging;

There is my gold watch and my gold chain,
So wear it, Barbree Ellen."
I

The last line of each slanz.a "doubles" (i. e" is repeated).

OF NEWFOUNDlAND
8 As she was walking the garden green,
She heard the hell a-tolling;
The more they tolled they seemed to say,
"Hard-hearted Barbree Ellen."
9 As she was going along the street,
She saw the corpse a-coming;
"0 lay him down, 0 lay him down,
That I may gaze upon him. II
10

The more she gazed, the more she laughed,

Till she oouJd not gaze for laughing,
And all her friends cries out, uFor shamel
Hard-hearted Barbree Ellen."

II

uearne mother dear, make up my bed,

And make it soft and narrow;
My love has died for me to-day,
I will die for him to-morrow!'

12

They both were buried all in one grave,

And that was her desire,
And over him the red rose tree,
And over her the briar.

13

They growed together in a true-lovers' knot,

The red rose and the briar;
They growed together as true loves do,
The red rose and the briar.

See, for texts and references, Mackenzie, NO.9; Campbell and Sharp, No. 21;
Cox, No. 84; McGill, pp. 39"""44; Smith, No.8; Davis, No. 24; Shoemaker,
pp. 127-13; Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, pp. 195-200,35; Hudson, No. 18;
Henry, Journal, XXXIX, 211-:212; XLD, 268-272; Millican, Journal, XllI, 303305; F. W. Allsopp, Polklore of Rotlumtic Arkansas,n, 212-213; Fauset, Folklore
from NOM Scolia, pp. 113-115; Sandburg, pp. 57-58; Keit..h, No. 32; Ord,
pp. 476-417; Thomas, pp. 94-95; Fuson, pp. 47-48.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

13
YOUNG BARBOUR
OR, THE SEVEN SAILOR BOYS
Cm:w, No.

(WILLIE 0' WmSBURY,

100)

YOUNG BARBOUR
Sung by A'laude Roberts, Sally's Cove,

a J' i

PI J
'Twas

cloth - ed

J' t'EEV' J J' l'

of

all

la - dy in the

in

green,

look - ed

As she

!:JEll J
in,

And she

ship

J. I It.
And

she

west coun - tcr ee, She was

tPl 1 J' J' J' i IFI;----;

fa ther's cas - tIe wall

1920.

Record~by E. B. G.

t I n moderaJe timl

saw

out from her

ship

.../

sail - ing

fJ @I#D
sail

ing

'Twas of a lady in the west counteree,

She was clothed ail in green,
As she looked out from her father's castle wall
And she saw a ship sailing in.

daughter, 0 daughter," her father did say,

"What makes you look so pale and wan?
You must have some sort of sickness," he said,
"Or be in love with some young man."

in.

(Refrain: repeat the last line.)

HO

"0 father, 0 father," the daughter did say,

"'Tis no wonder for me to look so pale and wan,
For what do grieve my poor heart," she said,
HMy true love is so long at sea/'

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
4

IfO, is he a lord, or is he a duke,

Or a man of high degree?

Or is he one of my seven sea boys
That ploughs the raging sea?"
uHe is no lord, nor he is

DO

duke,

Nor a man of high degree,

But he is one of your seven sea boys
That ploughs the raging sea."
6 "0 daughter, 0 daughter," her father did say,
"Is that the truth you are telling me?
For to-morrow morning at eight o'clock
It is hanging he will be."
HO father, a father," the daughter did say,
"Is this the truth you are telling to me?

For if you do hang mine own true love,

You will get no good of me."
8 He called down his seven sea boys,
By one, by two, by three.
Young Barbour he always used to be the fust,
But the last carne down was he.
9 Young Barbour he came a-trembling down,
He was clothed all in silk,
With his cherry cheeks like the roses red,
And his skin so white as milk.
10

"0 daughter, 0 daughter," the father did say,

I"Tis no wonder for you to look pale and wan;
For if I was a woman instead of a man,
I would die for the love of him."

II

"Will you wed my daughter?" the father did say,

"Will you take her by the hand?
And will you come down and dine with me
And be heir to all my land?"

12

"Yes, I will marry your daughter," he said,

"I will take her by the hand,

I will come down and dine with you," he said,

"And a fig for all your land!

29

BALLADS AND SEA SO GS

3
'3

"If you can give hel a guinea a day,

I can give her thirty and three,
Although they calls me the Young Barbour,
That ploughs the raging sea."

This charming ballad is one of the most popular songs in Newfoundland. It is

known and sung by the young people in all parts of the island. The English
ballad is evidently the source, as the lover's name is invariably UBarbour H in
Newfoundland) and not "Willie," as in most of the Scottish versions (eL Keith,
No. 37, "Thomas "). It seems strange that a ballad so popular in Newfoundland
should nol be sung extensively in North America, but other collectors have not
recorded it except for an imperfect text in Combs) pp. 140-141 (West Virginia) j
d. Barry) EckstortD, and Smyth, pp. 224-225.

Sung by Dennis Walsh, Fleur de Lys, 1929.

J' J' J
in

J
she

I@!>'

J
J And

liv - ing

east,

the

J lJIJ'J'1
clothed. in

gr....

And

sit - ting

she

I J' J J J iii J

her

1 1 1:;.

sail - ing

In.

Thele was a lady living in the east,

And she was clothed in green,
And she was sitting on her father's castle wall
When she saw a ship sailing in.

"0 daughter, 0 daughter," the father did say.

"What makes you look so pale?
And what is the trouble on your poor heart's mind?
Have your true love been long at sea?

(Rejrai,,: repeat the last line of each stanza)

I)

1I

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
'10 father, 0 father/' the daughter did say,
"It's true what you 're telling mc,
And that's the trouble on my poor heart's mind
That my true love been long at sea."
4 "0, is he any lords or dukes or squires,
Or a man of high degree,
Or is be onc of my seven sailor boys
That ploughs on the raging sea? II
"0, he's no lord nor duke nor squire,
Nor a man of high degree,
But he is one of the seven sailor boys
That ploughs on the raging sea."
HO daughter, 0 daughter," the father did say,
"Is it true what you 're telling me?
To-morrow moming at seven o'clock.
He'll be shot from the bands of me."

0, the king called down his seven sailor boys,

By onc, by two, by threej
Young Barbour always used to be the first,
But the last came down was he.

0, downstairs, downstairs tumbled Young BarbourJ

And he was clothed in silk,
With his dark-brown eyes and his coal-black hair,
And his skin faded white as mille
HO, will you marry my daughter?" he said,
"And take her by the haod 1
And I will will you over all my gold,
And go king over all my land. lJ
10

110, I will marry your daughter,1I he said,

I will take her by the hand;
But I don't want none of your gold,
Nor go king over all your land.

II

"Where you can give her one guinea/' he said,

"I can give her thirty and three,
Although you calls me the young ploughboy
That ploughs the raging sea. 1I

3'

BALLADS AND SEA SO GS

32
12

daughter, 0 daughter," the father said,

U So it's true what you're telling me.
I was a woman instead of a man I

HO

I would die lor the love 01 he."

c
JOHN BARBOUR
Sung by Peter Abbott, Twillingatc, 19'9.

. ...

"What's the mat- ter with mydal.lghter?" the old man said, "For she

seems

fev

10

u,"

Or

mao,
I

sick

She must have lOme kind

and

he said,

in

"Or

love

...
in

love

with

some

with

young

'--'

young

some

man.

It

"What's the matter with my daughter?" the old man said,

uFor she seems so sick and wan.
She must have some kind of a fever," he said,
Or in love with some young man."

(Refrain: repeat the last line.)

2

of

"I have no kind of a fever," she said,

uNor in love with DO young man,

But I'm thinking 01 my own true love,

For he is DOW sailing.
II

Is he a king or is he a lord,
Or is he a man of fame,
Or is he one 01 my sailor hoys?
I pray you tell me his name."
tl

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
4

"He's not a king, nor he's not a lord,

Nor he's not a man of fame,
But he is one of your sailor boys,
John Barbour is his name."

"Go bring John Barbour unto me," he said,

"Go bring him unto me,

And to-morrow morning at eight o'clock

We'll hang him to a tree."
6 "If you hang John Barbour to a tree," she said,
"If you hang him to a tree,
If you hang John Barbour to a tree," she said,
"You'll get no good of me."

So early next morning John Barbour arrived,

And his suit were all in green,
His teeth were of the ivory white,
He was fair as any king.

8 "I will make no wonder," the old man said,

"That my daughter is in love with you,
For if I were a maid instead of a man,
I would die for the love of you."
9 "Will you wed my daughter?" the old man said,

"Will you wed her by the hand?

Will you nome and dine at my table
Coming in for all of my land,"
10

"I'll wed your daughter," John Barbour said,

"I'll wed her by the hand;
I'll come and dine at your table,
But a flux with you and your land."

33

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

34

14
THE BAILIFF'S DAUGHTER OF ISLINGTON
(Cmw, No. '05)
Sung by Mrs. Minnie Payne, Green Point,
I

1920.

There was a youth, a well-beloved you th,

He was a squire's son,
He courted an inn-keeper's daughter

For texts and references see Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, pp. 225-227 (from
New Brunswick); Hudson, No. 16 (Mississippi); also in Jtmrnal, XXXIX, rOO107; Davis, No. 28; Sharp MS. (Appalachian), Harvard College Library, pp.
645-647; Brady MS., Harvard College Library, pp. 66-68; Journal oJ Ihe Folk~
Song SocieJy, vu, 34-35; Keith, No. 41.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

THE KNIGHT AND THE SHEPHERD'S

DAUGHTER
(CHILD, No. lIO)
Communicated by Mrs. Maude Roberts Simmonds, Glenburnie,
Bonne Bay, I930.
I

'Twas of a knight was riding by,

And he got drunk with wine,

As he was riding along,

A maid he chanced to spy;
He elapsed his arm around ber waist
And threw her on the ground.
Fall the diddle, all the doll, a-dee.

3 "Since you bad the will of me,

Pray tell unto me your name,
For when my little baby is born
I may call it the same."
4 "Some do call me Jack,
And some do call me John,
But when I comes to the king's fair court,
They call me Sweet William."
He put his foot all in the stirrup
And away he began to ride;
She tied her handkerchief around her middle,
And ran by the horse's side.
6 She run till she came to the broad riverside,
She lay on her belly and swum,
She swum till she came to the other side,
She took to her heels and run.

35

36

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

7 She ran till she came to the king's fair court,

So loudly she did ring;
There was none so ready as the king himseU
To let this fair one in.
8

"What do you want, fair maid?" he said,

"What do you want?" said he.
"There is one man all in your town
This day have a-robbed me."

9 "What have he robbed you of, fair maid?

Any of your gold or any of your store?"

10

"He have not robbed me of my gold,

or any of my store;
He've robbed me of my maidenhead,
And that is the worst of all."

II

" 0, if he is a married man,

'Tis hanged he will be;
And if he is a single man,
His fair body I will give unto thee."

12

"What would you know him by, fair maid?

What would you know him by?"
"I would know him by his down galles look
And the rolling of his eye."

13

The king called up his merry men

By one, by two, by three;
Young William was always the first,
But the last of all came he.

14

"0, cursed was the day

That I got drunk on wine,
To think any farmer's daughter be
A true love of mine."

IS

"A farmer's daughter although I am,

You might have leaved me alone.
If you make me a lady over one thousand
I will make you a lord over ten."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
16

37

'Twas early the next morning

To the church they did go,
Where she proved to he a duke's daughter
And he a blacksmith's SOD.
Fall the diddle, all the doll, a-<1ee.

Su Barry, Jourtwl, XXII, 377-378, with tune (Massachusetts, rom a Scotch

laborer in lrela.nd). For English versions see Sharp and Manon, Folk Songs from
Somtrsd, No. 28, D, 2-3; Sharp, 0,., Hundrtd English Folksongs, NO'3 (and

Notes, p. xviii); Sharp, English Polk Songs, J, 6-7. ~o. 3; Kidson, Tradi/iotrol
Tunu, pp. ur2I; Jc"",wJ oj Ihe Folk~ong Socidy, m, 222-223, 280--281; V,
pp. 102-103; H. Pentin,
Prudings oj the Dorsd Naturaillis/ory and Anliq1klrian Field CI14b, xxYU,
32-33; The Vocal Magazine, 1781, Song 1081, pp. 297-298; Keith, No. 43.

86--90; A. Williams, FolkSongs oj II.e Upper TIIOtMS.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

16
THE DARK-CLOTHED GYPSY
(THE GYPSY LADDIE, CmLD, No. 200)

Sung by Victoria White, Sandy Cove, '9'9.

-#-

uAreyou

go. ing

to

for-sake your boos - es and land. Are you

go-ing to for-sake)'Ourch.il-drt'D too? Are you go-ing to for-sakeyour

own true wed-ded love

-./

And fol - low thedarlt<1othed gyp-sy,

O? ..

There's three young gypsies all in a row;

They sang so sweet, so very, very sweet,
They sang so sweet, so very, very sweet,
It would charm the heart of a lady fair.

"Are you going to forsake your houses and land,

Are you going to forsake your children, too?
Are you going to forsake your OWD true wedded Jove
And follow the dark-clothed gypsy, O?"

3 "Yes, I'm going to forsake my houses and land;

Yes, I'm going to forsake my children, too;
I'm going to forsake my OWD wedded love
And follow the dark-c1othed gypsy, 0."
4 "Last night you lay OD a warm feather bed
With the sheets all white as snow,
And to-night you may lie on the damp, cold ground,
In the arms of a dark-clothed gypsy, 0."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

39

THE GYPSIES
Recited by Henry Albert White, Sandy Cove, 19'9.
1

He rided over Illgh, high hills

Until he came up with his lady, O.
uWill you come back, my fair pretty maid?
Will you come back, my honey, O? l>
HI rather have a kiss from those gypsies' rosy lips,
Than I would all your houses and money, 0."

2 H\Vill you forsake your houses and land,

Your hushand and your baby, too?
\Vill you forsake yOUI lord's broad sword
And follow three gypsy laddies, O?"
"I will forsake my houses and land,
My husband and my baby, too;
1 will forsake my lord's broad sword
And follow three gypsy laddies, 0."
"Last night 1 lied on a fine feather bed,
With my husband and my baby, 0,
But to-night 1 must lie on the cold bam floor,
In the arms of a gypsy laddy, 0."
For American references see CampbeU and Sharp, No. 27; Cox, No. 21; Davis,
No. 37; Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, pp. 26g-277i Hudson, No. 18; Sandburg,

p. 311. Victoria White's tune is entirely different from that published by

Campbell and Sharp, but will be found very sweet and haunting. Cf. Keith,
No. 60.

BALLADS AND SEA SO GS

17
LOVELY GEORGIE
(GEORDIE. CBILD, No. 209)
Communicated by Mrs..Maude Roberts immonds, Glenburnie,
Bonne Bay, 1930.

As I roved out ooe May morning

One May morning SO early,
And who should I spy but a comely maid,
A-pleading the life of Georgie?

"What bave puir Georgie done, fair maid?

Have be killed or murdered anybody?"
"He have stolen three of the king's fair deer
And sold them in Virginie."

3 She rode till she came to the king's fair court

And people she saw many,
But among them all spied her own true love
That grieved her more than any.
4 King looked over his left shoulder
And words then he said many;
He says, "Fair maid, you have come too latc,
Your Georgie is condemned already."
King looked over his right shoulder
And words then he said many;
He says, HFair maid, you have come too late,
Your Georgie is condemned already."
6 "My Georgie shall be hung with golden chains,
Such chains there are not many,
With gold all laid to cover him in,
Saying, 'There lies the body of Georgie.'
"If I had my Georgie on yonder hill,
It's kisses he'd get many;
With sword and pistol by my side,
I would fight for the life of Georgie."
For the relation of this song to the eigbteenth-century broadside of "George of
Oxford" (Child, IV, 141; Ebsworth, Roxburghe Ballads, Vll, 70) see Belden,
Jtmrnol, xx, 319. For references see Cox, No. 23. Add Barry, Eckstorm, and
Smyth, p. 475; Shoemaker, pp. ]62-163; Ord, pp. 456-457; Keith, No. 62.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

18
JOAN AND JOHN BLOUNT
(GET Up AND BAR THE DOOR, Cmr.o. No. 275)
Sung by Mrs. Annie Walters, Rocky Harbour, 1929.
I

There was an old couple lived under an hill,

Joan and John Blount they were called, 0;
They brewed great ale all for to sell,
They brewed it wonderlul well, O.

2 John Blount and his wife drank some 01 his ale,

Till they could drink no more, 0;
They both went to bed with a drop in their bead,
And lorgot to bar their door, O.
A bargain, a bargain this old couple made,
A bargain firm and surc, 0,
The very first one that should speak the first word
Sbould go down to bar the door, O.
Along came travellers, travellers three,
Travelling in the night, 0;
No house nor shelter could they find,
No tire nor candle-light, O.

And straight to John Blount's bouse they went,

And boldly opened the door, 0;
But not one word did the old couple say,
For lear one should bar the door, O.
6 They ale 01 his victuals, they drank 01 his drink,
Till they could drink no more, 0;
But not one word did the old couple say,
For lear one should bar the door, O.
Then straight upstairs those travellers went,
And look the old woman out of her bed,
And kissed her on the floor, 0;
But not one word did the old couple say,
For fear one should bar the door, O.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

8 'IYou've eat of my victuals, you drank. of my drink.,

You've kissed my wife on the floor, 0-"
H John Blount," she said, H you've spoke the first word!
Go down and bar the door, O.
9 "If you don't like what they did unto me,
They kissed me on the floor, 0,
Take this to be as a warning, see,
Every night you bar your door, 0."
The coastal steamer had been sighted afar. the dory had been prepued to any
me out to board her, and 1 was nearly ready to say good-bye to my dear friends
in Rocky Harbour and wrile FIl\'1S to my collecting in Newfoundland. when
Mn. IValton ..... inspired to sing this old and sprightly ballAd, .. that I might
fill my note-book to the very last page. Would that I bad made the effort to
write down her sprightly tune as well!
The present version corresponds to Child's B, C (the latter (rom Johnson,
TM Scols Musical MIlSOI", 0.365. with tune). Cox,. '0. I8S. belongs to the
same group. The nriants in Davis, Xo. 4-t (without tune), Combs, pp. 147148 C..;thoul tune), and Barry, EckstortD, and SmyLh, PP.318-321 (with tune),
correspond to Child's A. See also Dm:idsOtt's U"i!'trsaJ Afdodisl, I, 275 (with
tune); Christie, TrodilioMl B..1JJ4d AiTs, n, 26:-263; Keith, Xo. 92. For the tale
see (besides the references in Child) Swynnerton,lnduJls Nithls' Enkrl4inmmJ,
pp. 14-15; H. Parker, Vi/lagt FolkTa/u of Ceylon, No. 87, U, 60--63; Basset,
Conks PO/llllaiTU Bubius, No. 50, p. 104; Cunoy, LillbaJuTe OTak de la Pic4Tdit., pp. 167-171; R. Kohler, Kkittne Sdrriflat, n, 5;6-578; Rtmtanisck
PorstAunttfl, X\'l, J4Ct-J4I.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

43

19
THE GOLDEN VANlTIE
(CHILD, No. 286)
FRAGMENTS

Recited by Will Barrett.

My {ather had a ship in the north counteree,

She sails by the name of the Golden Va1tiUe,
I'm afraid she will be taken by some pirate ship at sea
As she sails along the Lowlands low,
As she sails along the lonesome sea.

'B
Sung by Mrs. Herbert Young, Twillingate, 1929.

The boy bent his breast and round swam he,

He swam till he reached the larboard side,
With an auger in his hand he bored it through her twice
While some were playing cards and more were playing
dice.
And I'll sink her in the Lowland sea, the Lowlands,
I'll sink. her in the Lowlands low.
And he let the water in and put out all her lights,
As she sailed along the Lowlands, the Lowlands,
As she sailed along the Lowlands low.
We were not fortunate enough to hear the whole of this song, though it is surely
known and sung in Newfoundland. For texts and references see Cox, No. 32;
Campbell and Sharp, No. 35 (tunes dissimilar)j Davis, No. 47j Shoemaker, pp.
132-133, 2(}9-300j McGill, pp. l)6-I02j Flanders and Brown, pp. 230-231;
Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, pp. 33lT347; Hudson, No. 22; Keith, No. 101.
Colcord, Roll and Go, p. 78, has a tune like the Newfoundland tune.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

44

20

THE LITTLE YORKSHIRE BOY

(TID: YORKSHIRE BITE)
Sung by Daniel Endacott, Sally's Cove, 1929R~rded

an old

farm

er

pret - ty

lit - tJe York-shire boy

pret - ty

lit - tie

York.~

do

his

Tim - my right,

fol

for

to

boy

by E. 8. G.

in York-shire did dwell, And a

he

had

for

his

man,

he

had

for

his

man.

And

it

was John.

busi - ness, his

name

REnAtY

de

dol

de dol

de, right

fol

de dee.

There was an old fanner in Yorkshire did dwell,

And a pretty little Yorkshire hoy he had for his man,
A pretty little Yorkshire hoy he had for his man,
And for to do his husiness, his name it was John.

Refrai,,: Timmy right, foJ de dol de dol de, right fol de dee.
2

0, the farmer he called down to his man John

And unto him his man John he came,
Saying, "Take this cow to the fair to-day,
She '5 in proper good order and her I can spare."
0, the hoy took the cow and away rode he,
The hoy took the cow and away rode he,
He hadn't been long gone WI he met two men,
When he sold them the cow for six pound ten.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

45

4 0, the butcher be took the boy in for a drink,

0, the butcher he paid down the boy his jink,
And turning to the landlord, thus he did say,
"What shall I do with the money, I pray?"
If I will sew it in the linings of my coat then,
says he,
"For I'm afraid on the highway it's robbed I might be."
Says the man to himself while drinking up his wine,
II

Says he to himseU, "That money is mine."

6 0, the boy took his money and away rode he,

The highwayman followed after him also.
f1You're well overtaken, young man/' says he.

"How many miles further?" the robber did reply.

"0, four miles further," the boy did reply.
"Then jump on my horsehack, and jump up hehind,
So the boy jumped the horseback and away rode they.
8 0, they rode till they came to some dark lane;
Says the robber unto Jack, "I must tell you plain,
Deliver up your money without any strife,

Or instantly I will end your life."

9 0, the boy thought it was no time to dispute,
From the linings of his coat all the money he pulled out,
From the linings of his coat all the money he pulled out
And among the long grass he scattered it about.
ro 0, the robher he unlighted lor to gather in his money,
But little did he think it was to his loss,
While gathering in the money in his purse,

The boy jumped a-horseback and rode away with his horse.
II

"0," says the boy to the fanner, ell must tell you plain,
It's robbed I was by a highwayman,
And while he was gathering his money in his purse,
For to make you amends I brought home his horse."

12

0, the larmer he laughed whilst his two sides he hold:

UThat's for a boy you was very bold,

And as for that villain you served him right,

And your name shall shine truly through Yorkshire bright."

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

r3

In the pocket of the saddle was there to be found

The gold and the silver of five thousand pound.
Says the farmer to the boy, "J must tell you clear
Three parts of the money you shall have for your share.

14

fir will give you my youngest daughter to be your sweet wife,

Take her and live happy all the days of your lile;
And my youngest daughter to be your sweet wile,
Take her and live happy all the days of your lile."
Timmy right, fol de dol de dol de, right fol de dee.

Tbissoog is olten called liThe Yorkshire Bite" and is a parallel to liThe Crafty
Farmer" (Child, No. 283; Cox, No. 31). Barry (JOllrtlat, xxm, 451-452) gives

a version from Boston containing the concluding lines, which have become
changed in the Newfoundland text:
And as for the villain, you 'ye served him just right,
To think you put upon him a Yorkshire bite."

If

Another variant, called "The New Hampshire Bite," is found in Bany, Eck
storm, and Smyth, pp. 406-413. The air has the same two-four rhythm, and similar big intervals, though it is not identical with the Tewfoundland air. See also
Flanders and Brown, pp. 234-:235; Combs, pp. 14C}-IS2; Sandburg, pp. 118-119;
R. V. Williams, Folk-Sollgs from the Eastern Cou1lliu (Sharp, Polk-Sollgs of
Englo"d, Book II), pp. 47-43 ("The Lincolnshire Farmer"); Journal of IJu
Folk-Song Society, "'Ill, 180-,82. For further references see Kittredge, Journal,
xxx, 367.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

21

THE HIGHWAY ROBBER

Sung by George Edison, Fleur de Lys, I929.
I

'Tis of a rich merchant of London,

Who had lots o[ land that he sold,

Who sent out his daughter to market
To receive every penny in gold.
2

She sewed the gold up in her saddle,

And that with good leathers well-lined;

She sewed the gold up in her saddle,
For fear any danger would find.

She sewed the gold up in her saddle

And starts out for home on the highway;
She chanced for to meet a bold robber,

He hid this
4

[air

damsel to stay.

Three blows of his whistle be gave ber,

And the pistol he popped to her breast,

Saying, "Now deliver your money,
Or else you'll die a cruel death."

This [air pretty maiden got frightened,

And so did Dobbin her steed;
Down off his saddle she lightened,

And Dobbin trots home with good speed.

He stripped this [air damsel stark uaked
And gives her his horse for to bold;
She stood there a-shivering and a-shaking
Like ODe was dying with cold.
This fair pretty maiden got courage
While he was in search of his prey;

She says, "Young man, ies no time to be idle;

I'll show you a trick on highway."
From stirrup to saddle she mounted,
She threw her legs 'cross like a man,
She drove the thief's horse off on stretch gallup:
"Now catch me, bold thief, if you can,l)

47

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

9 He runned and he bawled and he shouted,
He ruoned and he puffed and he blowed,
He runned and he bawled and he shouted,
U

10

Come back, and I'll give you your clothes. U

"My clothes ain't of very much value,

You can keep them, kind sir, if you please."

He runned and he bawled and he shouted,

Till his boots they hackered his heels.
II

She rode over hills and through valleys

And places she knew very well;
She leaved the old thief with a triBe,
About five shillings to teU.

r>

She rode over hills and through valleys,

And arrived at her home twelve o'clock;

Her father was very much frightened

To see her ride home in her smock.
13

She shoved the thief's horse in the stable,

And in his portmantel she found
Some hundred of sparkling hright diamonds
To the value of ten thousand pounds.

14 "Here's five thousand pounds for you, pa,

And I will keep Jive thousand more.
Don't you think it a suitable trifle
To keep the wolf from the door?"
This is "The Maid of Rygate" in Logan, A Pedlar's Pad, pp. 134-136, but
differs a good deal. Other versions of the same piece may be seen in [Leigh,]
Ballads atld Legends oj Cheshire, pp. 26'-268; Pitts' broadside (" Highwayman
Outwitted by Fanner's Daughter")j JOlmuu of the Folk-Song Society, I, 236237i U J 21-22; Sharp and Marson, Folk So"gsjrrnn Somerset. No. SO, il, SO-Sf

(and note, p. 72); This, like "The Little Yorkshire Boy," seems to be a parallel
to uThe Crafty Farmer" (Child, No. 283). A different piece, but somewhat
similar, is "Sweet Lovely Joan II (Sharp and Marson, No. 95, IV, 48-49i Mer
rick, FolkSongs from Sussex (Sharp, Folk-Sollgs of Bllglalld, Book V), pp. 4749; Sharp, OM H1mdred English PO/hungs, No. 57, and note, p. xxxiv).

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

49

22

WILLY TAYLOR
Sung by Daniel Endacott, Sally's Cove, 1929.
Rerded by E. 8. G.

nrilh spim

,: J J

r ; bIJd

J J 1tiJ'1IQ De I

Wit-Iy Tay -lor, a brisk young sail ~ or, Full of love and full of glee,

f#t+dL48i*=I-tttl=Fl

it D

Went to church, they marched to-gcther Dressed in light, so rich and gay.
I

Willy Taylor, a brisk young sailor,

Full of love and full of glee,
Went to chUlch - they marched together
Dressed in ligbt, SO rich and gay.

In walked twenty brisk young sailors,

Marched young Willy off to sea.
Then his true love followed after,
Went by the name of Richard Kerr,'
With ber lily-white bands and ber slender fingers
To embrace the pitch and tar.
4 When she was out on the yardarm reefing,
Doing her work amongst the rest,

Then her waistcoat did blow open,

And she showed her lily-white breast.
When our captain came for to hear it,
HO, what wonders brought you here?JJ
"I'm in search of my own true lovyer,
Who was forced (rom me so dear. JJ
6

"If you're in search of your true lovyer,

Pray tell me what his name may be. JJ
"His name it is young Willy Taylor;
Seven long years been gone from me."

Pronounced Carr.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

"You rise early the next morning,

All just by the break of day;

There you'll see your Willy Taylor
Walking with his lady gay."
8 She rose early the next morning,
All just by the break of day;
There she saw her Willy Taylor
Walking with his lady gay.
9 Then she called for two bright pistols,
Which were given at her command,
And she shot young Willy Taylor,
Standing at his bride's right hand.
10

When our captain came for to hear it,

HO, what wonders you have done!"

Then he shipped her as a first leftenant

On board of a ship nine hundred tun.
II

Now she is out on the ocean sailing,

Long bright sword into her hand;

Every time as she gives orders,

Makes the men tremble at her command.

Of the later ballads, II Willy Taylor" is one of the most popular. See Mackenzie,
No. 46; Campbell and Sharp, No. SI:j Cox, No. [20 (with references); Flanders
and Brown, pp. 152-154; Vance Randolph, Ozark Life, VI (1930), 12; Brady
MS., Harvard College Library, pp. 167-168; Oed, pp. 315-316.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

51

23
POLLY OLIVER

Sung by Gordon Willis, Fogo, 1929.

~

Briskly

EJE!I! ;. ;.~'#Ffi&#l
It was down in the Low-la.nds preHy Pol - Iy she did dwell, In

fW3l

l. } I J' I
- 'Y

a c c bD J'

de - gree,

O. she

~"J. bi

dressed like

man,

-./

to her ra-thcr's sta. - ble then she viewed the bor -!1C5 round, Till at

'-"

length she

found

one that

could

t7

vel

the ground.

It was down in the Lowlands pretty Polly she did dwell,

In every degree, 0, she dressed like a man,
When to her father's stable then she viewed the horses round,

Till at length she found one that could travel the ground.
2

With a pair of bright pistols and a broadsword by ber side,

On her father's great stallion like a great man did ride;

She rode till she came tn a part of London town,

When at length was held up by the sound of a drum.
The first man she met was a young Irish lord;
The next it was the captain, Polly Oliver's true love;
She says, I have a letter bere from Polly, your friend,
And under the sealing there's a guinea to be found,
II

o that you and your ship's company drink Polly's health around.

5'2

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

4 "Her health can't be drunk hy one nor by two,

But ber bealth it must be drunk by the joyful ship's crew."
For the fust flowing glass went around in their hand,
Sing a health to Polly Oliver, she's now on dry land.
Jack he felt drowsy and he hung down his head,
And called for a candle to light himself to bed,
When up speaks our captain, "There's a bed all at our ease.
You can lie all night beside of me, young man, if you please."
6 "To lie with the captain it is a dangerous thing,
For since he's enlisted to fight for his king,
To fight for his king on sea or on land;
But since you are the captain I will be at your co=and."
'Twas early next morning pretty Polly arose,
And dressing herself in her own suit of clothes,
While coming downstairs from her bedroom up above
Singing, "Here comes Polly Oliver, 0, the captain's true love."
8 0, the captain he smiled and he laugbed at the fun
And greatly reco=ended her for whaten she had done,
"If I didn't please you last night, love, the fault it was not
mine;
I'm in bopes to please you better so now is tbe time."
9 This couple they got married and they lived at their ease,
Goes out when they likes and comes in when they please;
She's leaved her old parents in sorrow to mourn,
Who'd give thousand of mil1ions for Polly's return.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

53

Sung by Tom White and Will White, Sandy Cove, 1929.

Withspiril

$I:b ;

...

J J IJ' i J J t IJ

eJ 11

J JI

Down in some for--e.ign CQunter-ee, pret-ty Pol - 1y did dwell; She was

cour - ted.

by

cap - tain

who

loved her

well;

right

~!tt

r J' 112; ; ala t11

If s' eC ~leJ ;' I tEn
'\",...:.1 1
1. m
Soon as her cruel

It

par-ents they should come for

sep. arat. ed pret-ty

to

Pol - Iy from her Roy - at

know.

Soon

True Blue.

Down in some foreign counteree pretty Polly did dwellj

She was courted by a captain who loved her right well;
Soon as her cruel parents they should come for to know,
Soon separated pretty Polly from her Royal True Blue. 1

0 Polly sat a-musing all alone by herselfj

Some comical fancy still runs in her mind;
"Neither father nor mother shall make me false-true.
For I still will prove faithful to my Royal True Blue."

o she viewed her father's stable, she viewed the horses round,
To sec which of them that will travel over the groundj
With a bright pair of pistols and a sword by her side,
Like a jolly young trooper all along Polly did ride.
She rode till she came to a place of renown;
It was there she sat down by the side of the groundj
The first to come in was the landlord so true,
And the next was the captain, Polly's Royal True Blue.
. I

The last two lines of each stanza are "doubled," that is, repeated with the same
at first.

tlrne as

54

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

UHere's a letter, here's a Jetter, here's a letter of cheer;
Here's a letter, here's a letter, from Polly your dear."
In opening this letter ten guineas were found
For you and your fair boys to drink PoUy's health around.
Her health shant he drinked by one or by two;
Her health shall he drinked by aU of our ship's crew.
0, PoUy she felt drowsy, she hung down her head,
She called for a candle tn light her to bed:
"I've a bed/' said the captain, uI've a bed at my ease,
And you can sleep along with me, countryman, if you please."

uTo sleep with the captain is a delicate thing,

For I'm an enlisted soldier come to fight for my king,
Come to fight for my king or'by sea or by land;
inee :you are the captain, I'll bear your command."
8 'Twas early next moming pretty PoUy she rose,
he dressed herseU in her own suit of clothes.
0, the captain he viewed her from her top to her toe,
Flying into her arms, crying "Polly dear, bow do you do?U
9 0 now she is married, she lives at her ease,
Goes out when she's minded, comes back when she's pleased;
She've left her cruel parents and the tear do remain;
They'd give hundreds and thousands to get PoUy back again.
"Polly Oliver" is one of the most widely distributed of the later ballads. For
lU:ls and references see Campbell and Sharp,. '0.44;. [ackenzie, No. 55; Cox,
N'o. 122; boemaker, pp. 185-186. Our two ain are not alike, except for a certain
quality of running along trippingly wbich is especially noticeable in the third
and fourth lines. Campbell and Sbarp found stiU another air. The history of the
music for tllis ballad is still to be written.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

55

24DROWSY SLEEPER
Sung by Mrs. Tom White, Jr., Sandy Cove. 1929.

0J-

alA - rise,

I&~ Jo

lis ten

rt

j
win - dow,
I

J J IJ j j J J I
J I <J.
you drow - sy sleep a A-rise and
J I J. J 1 J J po J J J I
rise,

un - to

cr,

me; Here is some-one

at

your bed-room

J J I J II
Jo J bit.
1 .J J I mg,
Iy."

Weep - mg, weep

most

tu

U Arise, arise, you drowsy sleeper,

Arise and listen unto me;
Here is someone at your bedroom window,

Weeping, weeping, most bitterly.

2

"0 Mary dear, go ask your father

If you will be my wedded bride;
If be says no, come quick and tell me,
And I will no more trou ble you."
"I dare not go and ask my father,
For he is on his bed of rest,
And by his side a shining dagger
To pierce the one that I love best. JJ

4 "0 Mary dear, go ask your mother

If you will be my wedded bride;
If she says no, come quick and tell me,
And I will no more trouble you."
"I dare not go and ask my mother,
For she is born to set me freej
Please, Edward dear J go seek some other;

Your wedded bride I never shall be."

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

6 "0, I can climb tbe higbest tree-top,
And I can rob tbe ricbest nest,
And I can court a fair young lady,
But not tbe one wbat I love best."
Edward drew a shining dagger
And pierced it tbrough his aching beart:
"Here's adieu, here's adieu to all false lovers;
Fare you well, Mary, we must part. n
For other records of lh.is widely distributed song, see Mackenzie, No. 30j Cox,
No. 108 (with references); Hudson, No. 27 j Parsons, Folk-Lore of II'e Sea/stands,
p. 178 (South Carolina.); d. Ord, pp. 318-3I9; Belden MS., Harvard College
Library, xlii. The a.irs to which this ballad is sung are as related as the texts,
apparently. All that I have heard are in three-two time, and most of them
have the same general sequence of high and low notes (d. Campbell and Sharp,
No. 47, C).

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

57

25
THE CASTAWAYS
(TID: SILK-MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER)
5ung by Stephen Mullins, of Green's Pond, Bonavista, S. S. Sagona, 1929.
In moderate time

J Ir

I~p! -i I] J J I J
Our ship been

all

read - y

J J IJ
from

the

and

fit - ted

fot

rI

sea,

The

J IJ

nor' west sprang

up

F J I ~ J J I J J J IJ 1
'p J were
sail-ing,

I~p ] J J I J F
leak
and
ship sprang

whole hearts con - tent,

our

,
J
to

Our

1 I J J J I Jd
the

bot - tom she

went.

lOur ship been all ready and fitted for sea;

The wind from the nor'west sprang up a strong breeze;
As we were a-sailing, our whole hearts content,
Our ship sprang a leak and to the bottom she went.
2

Twenty-four officers jumped into the boat,

And across this broad ocean they all had to float;
Provisions being short and death drawing nigh,
We had to cast lots for to see who first should die.
The lots they were made and put in a shoe,
And every man his own lot he drew.
This beautiful damsel, the short lot she drew,
She had to die first for to save the whole crew.

4 Her true lover was sat down by her side.

Soon had red colored the blush in his face,
Saying, "I'll die, love, and I'll take your place. JJ

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

"0 stop your hand, butcher I" our captain he cries,
"Some ship or some harbor we seem to draw nigh."
As we were a-sailing with free wind and tide,
We came to some harbor down by the seaside.
6 This couple got married, you all understand;
The bells in the steeple how sweetly they ring,
The man he did dance and the bride she did sing.
For references to other variants of this dramatic ballad, see Cox, No. <)9i
Campbell and Sharp, No. 54. The texts vary a good deal, but the central
dilemma of the lovers faced with the necessity of one killing the other and the
happy solution of rescue are in all.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

ROGERS THE MILLER

Sung by George Coles, Sandy Cove, 1929.
I

0, Rogers the miller was a-courting a blade,

A rich merchant's daughter caUed beautiful Kate;

She had for a fortune some beautiful things,
She had for a fortune,
She had for a fortune fifty gold rings.
2

Now the wedding has been over, the money paid down,

A neat little wedding cost five thousand pound,

HO, now, then," says Rogers, Hwhat comes to my share?
I won't have your daughter,
I won't have your daughter without her gray mare."
Up speaks the old father, give an answer and says,

UYou won't get my daughter,

You won't get my daughter nor yet her gray mare,"

4 0, Rogers the miller was kicked out of door

And ordered to never come hack. any more,

Which made him to pull down his locks of long hair

And wish that he'd never
And wish that he'd never spoke of the gray mare.
0, Rogers were a-walking on a midsummer's day,
He met his own true love dressed in riches so gaYi
H Good morning," says Rogers, II and don't you know me?"
H If 1 'm not mistaken,
If I'm not mistaken, I know you," says she.

III have a picture of your likeness with locks of long hair,

That once came a-courting,
That once came a-courting my father's gray mare."

59

60

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

"It was nol the mare, love, a-<:ourting I came,

It was you, lovely Katie,
It was you, lovely Katie, called Katie my dear."
W. W. Newell included a variant of this song from Massachusetts in Journal,
251-252. It is a longer song without the repetition of the first part of the
last lines. An early nindeenth-ttntury broadside (N. Co"-erly, Jr., Printer,
Milk Street, Boston) is in the Isaiah Thomas Collection (I, 37) in the library of

:xII,

the American Antiquarian Society. It is entitled "Tid the Gray Mare or,
Young Johnny. Lbc Miller" (Ford's list, No. 271, Procudings of the American

Antiquarian Soddy, New Series, XXXlU, 97). For other references see
Journal, xxxv, 372, Add Pound, Amcrica't Ballads Qnd Songs, No. 34; Rosa
S. Allen, Family SO,tgs, rBw, pp. 2-3; Flanders and Brown, pp. 6:H>4.

61

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

27
WEXFORD CITY
Sung by Mrs. Tom White. Jr., Sandy Cove, 19'9.

F#:il

I. m<>d<rok Ii"",

FJEt

It

J j J Ii iii J' i j J I iii J J J 12

1. "What.ma.kesyou

blush? Such a

sil - ly shamel 'Twas I

that

f#& J J J. l "9 J tl J a rt~

f#t f F r r I J'. .1 J J I~ J. J' J t4iUi
tti r r r F It Q J ED
robbed

you

want - eel your

here's

your

all

on

the

dia.-mond ring, So

watch,

love,

and

plain

'Twas

that

here's your watth,love, So

gold

In Wexford City there dwelt a lady

With a gracie butcher all by her side,
With a gracie butcher all by her side,
She loved him dearly,
She loved him dearly,
To he his wife.

Early, early the next day

She dressed herseU in some riches gay,
With a sword and pistol all by her side,
To meet her true love,
To meet her true love,
Away she drove.
She drove away all over the plain,
Till she came where her true love did remain.
UStand and deliver, kind sir/' says she,
II Deliver it to me,
Deliver it to me,
Or your life I'll have. u

gain."

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

4 He delivered his watch, and all his store,
Still she keeps craving there's one thing morej
uThere's a diamond ring what I saw you wear,
Deliver it to me,
Deliver it to me,

And your life I'll spare."

"That diamond ring is the pledge of love
And before I 'U part with it, my life I 'U lose 1"
She gol faint-hearted just like a dove,
And she drove away,
And she drove away,
From her own true love.

6 Early, early, they both were seen

Walking together in some garden green,
When he saw his watch hanging hy her clothes,
Which made him hlush,
Which made him hlush,
Like the morning rose.

"What makes you hlush? Such a silly shame!

'Twas I that rohbed you all on the plain,
'Twas I that wanted your diamond ring,
So bere's your watch, love,

So here's your watch, love,

And gold again."
8 "What made you act such a silly plot?
If I'd had my pistols, 'tis you I'd have shot.
I would leave you hleeding all in your gore,
Sure I would mourn, love,
Sure I would mourn, love,
For my own true love. H
Mackenzie prints this song as No. 129 (with references) under the title of
"Zillah." The broadside title is "Sylvia's Request and William's Denial."
For a Vermont copy see Flanders and Brown. pp. 133-134. Cf. Journal of the
Folk-SungSocidy, vm, 225-227. Mrs. White called it "a crampedl song," and
the imperfections in the lines show how bard it was for her to remember and
sing it.

Note the lack of any regularly accented metre. The music follows the prose
rhythm of the words. G. Y. M.
Newfoundlanders use "cramped" in much the some sense that we say "tonguetwister," i. e., something hard to speak..
1

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

THE MAIDE

WHO DWELT BY THE

SHORE

Sung by Mrs. Annie Walters, Rocky Harbour, 1929.

Recorded by E. B. G.
~

roDin,;", rhythm

llolUAN ManE

I@R J' J' j'&1c I I I

G
com - [orl

ti=G>,
~J

her

mind. But

&bore, shore, shore, But

to

J' i
GI
to

roam all

J
all

.
J

r0

J' , I J

.. J'

1 JI

Jone

i l
Ion.

the
s

the

abo...

'Twas of a young maiden who lived all alone,

She lived all alone on the shore, 0;

There was nothing she could find to comfort her mind,

But to roam all alone on the shore, shore, shore,
But to roam all alone on the shore.
2

It was of a young captain who sailed the salt sea,

Let the wind blow high or low, 0,
"I will die, I will die," the young captain did cry,
U If I don't get that maid on the shore, shore, shore,
If I dont get that maid on the shore.

HI have lots of silver, I have lots of gold,

I have lots of costly wear, OJ
I'll divide, I'll divide with my jolly ship's crew,
If they'll row me that maid from the shore, shore, shore,
Ii they III row me that maid from the shore./l

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

4 After long persuadence they got her on board,
Let the winds blow high or low, 0,
Where he placed her a chair in his cabin below;
"Here's adieu to all sorrows and care, care, care,
Here's adieu to all sorrows and care. 11
5 Where he placed her a chair in his cabin below,
Let the winds blow high or blow low, 0,
She sung channing and sweet, she sung neat and complete,
She sung captain and sailors to sleep, sleep, sleep,
She sung captain and sailors to sleep.
6 She robbed him of silver, she robbed bim of gold,
She robbed him of costly wear, 0,
And she stole his broadsword, instead of an oar,
And she paddled her way to the shore, shore, shore,
And she paddled her way to the shore.
7 "My men must be crazy, my men must be mad,
My men must been deep in despair, 0,
To let her go 'way, with her beauty so gay,
And paddle her way to the shore, shore, shore,
And paddle her way to the shore."
8 "Your men was not crazy, your men was not mad,
Your men was not deep in despair, 0;
I deluded the sailors as well as yourself;
I'm a maiden again on the shore, shore, shore,
I'm a maiden again on the shore."
Mackenzie found this song in Nova Scotia (No. 19). Its theme is similar to
"The Broomfield Hill" (Child, No. 43). Camphell and Sharp, No. 39, E, has a
tune which begins like this one.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

65

29
THE ROSE OF BRITAI 'S ISLE
Sung by Manuel Roberts, of Wesleyville, S. S. Sagona, 1929.
RaJlte,skrJ:ly

~Jll JIJ. J' J' 11]. J , c I! r' ill

Come all ye

~I

peo - pleyoungand old. And

lis-ten,

you shall

r' c q=IB' ALI j 014 J. } ),.1;. II

bear; 'Twas of a

maid.enmcekand mild That lived in Glas-ner Square.

Come all ye people young and old,

And listen, you shall hear;
'Twas 01 a maiden meek and mild
That lived in Glosner SqUate.

Chorus (not sung aIter every stanza, hut irregulatly):

HeI cheeks were like the roses hright
Her lace appeared to smile;
This maiden's naIDe was lovely Jane,
She's the rose 01 Britain's Isle.
2

She was a merchant's daughter bright,

Her lather's only child,
Till she len in love with her fatheI's prentice boy,

3 When her father CaIDe to bear

About his darling child,
Wringing his hands, tearing his hair
Most bitterly did sweat.
4 "Since you brought disgrace on me,
I will send you many a mile,
To a broken Spain across the main
From the rose of Britain's Isle/'
Chorus.

66

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

5 'Twas down on board young Edwin went

To cross the briny tide,
'Twas down on board young Edwin went,
Left Jane with watery eyes.
Clrorw;.
6 She dressed herseU in men's attire;
'Twas down on board she strays;
'Twas down again across the main
Went the rose of Britain's Isle.
CllOrw;.
7 We had not been three days at sea
When an enemy fired a ball;
'Twas by a ball young Jane did fall
And wounded her right arm.
8 The sailors ran to lend a hand
With no cause to complain;
The sailors swore by all was right
'Tis the rose of Britain's Isle.

Chorus.
9 And now they're on the coast of Spain;
Here Ed and Jane went home again,
Back home again across the main
Came the rose of Britain's Isle.

CllOrus.
10

She was a merchant's daughter bright,

Her father's only child,
And by all above, he swore he'd love
The rose of Britain's Isle.

Chorw;.
Mackenzie bas this as No. 37 and gives references to English broadsides.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

3
THE GREEN BUSHES
Sung by Agatha Walsh, Fleur de Lys, 1929.
MtxOLVDlAN MODE

III mkt'au tj~

1@"2111; ;, J'lr F' J'13 F 31t;q1

-'

As

was

I@'; ;,3'1; ; 0
sweet re - ere - a -

I@";
by

tiOD

J, J1lr

spied a

the

one

and

For

3 J

eve - ning

3 I3

fair dam - sei

green

-'

a - walk ing for plea - sure one day,

sweet - ec

in

l'

May,

pi

3 1j
sang

-'

she,

bush - es where he t.b.inb be'U meet

"Down

me."

As I was a-waIking for pleasure one day,

For sweet recreation onc evening in :MaYJ
I spied a fair damsel and sweeler sang she,
"Down by the green bushes where he thinks be 'II meet me. JI

0, I stepped up to her and this did I say:

"How far do you wander going this way?"
"I am waiting for my true love," this damsel did cry,
II Down by the green bushes where he thinks be'll meet me."

111'11 buy you a nice beaver, a nice silky gown,

Buy you a nice underskirt right down to the ground,
If you will prove loyal and constant to me,
Forsake your own true love and marry to me."
I/O, I don't want your beaver nor none of your clothes,
For I never was so poor as to marry for those;
But if you'll prove loyal and constant to me,
I'll forsake my O\\'n true love and marry to thee."

68

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

"0, come let us be going from yonder 1 those treesj
Come let us be going, kind si.I;, if you please;
For yonder my true love he is waiting [or mc,
Down by the green bushes where he thinks he'll meet mc."

So when he returned there, he found she was gone;

He stood like a poor lamb that's lost and forgone;
H She's away with some other and forsaking me!
Here's adieu ye green bushes forever," said he.
ltpm like a poor schoolboy, we spend time in play,
And ever was so foolish to be led astray;
So now, you false woman, you will scorn me no more;
Here's adieu, you green bushes, it is time to look o'er."
See Sharp, One HU1ulred English Folksongs, No. 40 (with references); Davidson's
UlIiversaJ Melodist, 1,25; JOllrtlalof tile FoJkScmg Society, VIll, II2-II3. 209;

Lloyd's Song Book, 1St Series [1846], p. 19; Ord, p. 147; The Pearl Songster,
p. loS; Songs o/Our L<md (Boston, Donahue), p. 22j The Shamrock (New York,
copyright 1862), p. 7j Andrews~deMarsan broadside, List 7, No, 30j Singer's
Joumal, I J 228; Flanders and Brown, pp. 246-a47. The song is common in
English broadsides (Catnachj Cadman, Manchesterj BebbingtoD, Mancheslerj
Such, No. 345).
I

1. e. "under."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

31
AS I ROVED OUT
(TARRY TROWSERS)

Sung by Charles and Gordon Willis, Fogo, 1929.

MIXOLYDIAN MODE

In moderate Jimt

I@ot 1 1 .1 J-----{tJ;J J' J'

1

roved out

J'

e J'. J I

sum mer's eve - nmg To

i ILB+4"24H+EPB

view those Bow'rs and to take

fine

the

air, 'Twas there

spied

As I roved out one fine summer's evening

To view those flow'rs and to take the air,
'Twas there I spied a tender mother
Talking to her daughter dear;

2 Singing, UDaughter, 0 daughter, I'll have you to marry.

No longer to live a sweet single life."
"0 mother, 0 mother, I'd rather to tarry
To he some brave young sailor's wife."

"A sailor shy sits all for to wander;

To some foreign CQunteree he go.
They will cause you to sigh and to murmur,
They will prove your overthrow."
4

I t Or if you could get me to wed with a farmer,

To he your joy and heart's delight;
But give me the boy with the tarry, tarry trousers,
To shine in my eyes like the diamond hright."

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

She hung her head on the top of her shoulder.;;
Tears from her eyes like the fountains flowed:
"I'll stay at home and be true-hearted,
Whilst my love to the seas doth go."

6 "Hark, 0, hark, how the great guns are rattling,

Big and small they all make noise;
My true love's in the field of battle,
-ow fight on, my gallant boys."
This song is reported !rom Essex by R. Vaughan Williams, Folk-Songs jronoll><
Eastern Counti~s (Book II of Sharp, Fo/k-Songs oj Englantf) , pp. 6-8. The usual
title is "Tarry Trowsers." See also Sharp and Marson, Folk S{mgs from Somer
Sel, No. 4Ij Butterworth, Folk-Songs from Susscx, No. II; Journal of the FolkSong Society, n , 153-154;
& Son, Birmingham),

ill,

313-315; IV, 427-428; broadsides (e. g., Jackson

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

71

32
THE BLIND BEGGAR
Recorded by Jane Quackenbush from the singing of John Henry
Gueunuex, Barr'd Harbour, 1928.

I A sad old blind beggaI some time had been blind;

He had but one daughter, who was comely and fine;
She said to him, "Father, I must go and seek some clothes,Il1
And the question soon gIanted to bonny Betsy.
The first came to court her was a merchant so bright;
He came to court Betsy so late in the night,
Saying, H My homes and my land I'll resign unto thee,
If you'll tell me yOUI fatheI, my bonny Betsy."

The next came to court her was a captain so gay;

He came to court Betsy so late in tbe night,

Saying, UMy ships and fine cargoes I'll give unto thee,
If you'll tell me your father, my bonny Betsy."
The next came to court Betsy by day and by nigbt
Saying, "My gold and rich appalels I will give unto thee,
If you'll tell me your father, my bonny Betsy."

liMy father's a blind man; that's plain to be seen;

He's called the Blind Beggar of Battlin' Green;
He's led by a dog with a chain and a bell."
HO, then," said the merchant, flit's her I'll not have."
"I'll go," said the captain, Hit's her I'll not crave."
HWhat ho!" said the squire. "Let beggars agree.
You're welcome unto me, my bonny Betsy."

Up speaks ber old father, as he stood by the side:

"Don't neglect on my daughter because she's poor,
Because she's not dressed in her silks and fine satin;

On her I'll grow spangles, my bonny brave girl."

1

lIfiss Quackenbush suggests that "beaux" would make more sense. The regular

teJ:t has liTo seek out my fortune. whatever it be."

72

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

8 On her he grew spangles hung down to the ground;
The blind beggar laid down his ten thousand pound;
Then the young squire laid down all of his store,
And the blind beggar laid down his ten thousand more.

This is an imperfect copy or the favorite old broadside ballad, liThe Blind
Beggar's Daughter of Bednall Green. JJ See Bishop Pacy's Folio Manuscript,
ed. Hales and Fumivall, D, 271)-289 ("Bessie 00' Bednall"); Roxburghe Ballads,
ed. Chappell, 1,37-46 (d. Ebsworth, Bagford Ballads,l, 310); A CollulicnojOld
Ballads, n (1723), 202-211; Percy, Rdiques, 1765, n, ISS-I6g; Child, English
and Scottish Balloos, rv (18S7), 161-173; Chappell, PopflJar Music of the OldttJ
Time, pp. ISg-l60j Dixon, AmienJ Poems, Ballads, aml SO'Jgs of the Pwsa"try
of Ellg1a1UJ (percy Society, xvn), pp. 60-71; Davidson's U1/i'Dersal Melodist, U
(1848), 274-275; Sharp, E1fglish Folk Songs, No. 16, 0, 37-39 (note, p. xiv) j
Joumal oj lite Folk-Song Society, I, 202-203; A. Williams, Folk-So1lgs of the
Upper Thames, pp. 255-256j The Forget Afe Not Sougster (N. Y., Nafis &
Cornish). pp. Hl)-I30. Cf. Joumal, xxxv. 357j Halliwell, Descriptive Notices of
English Populo, Histories (percy Society, xxm), pp. 35-36. Sharp found the
ballad in North Carolina (Sharp MS. Harvard College Lihrary, p. l00S).
Miss Jean Thomas collected the first sta.n.za in Ashland, Kentucky - used as a
"play_party" song.

OF NEWFO

DLAND

73

33
NANCY FROM LONDON

Sung by Daniel Endacott, Sally's Cove,

1920.

Recorded by E. B. G.
DO'RlAN MODE

In modLra/~ time

I@!i t f14.j J' J' IJJ

.q:';

"0, 'twas Nan - cy from 1.on-<loo, rom

lair Lon - don town; She was

court - ed

banks of

by

the

Hen - ry

Ni - Ie

'-the

0 - ~an

long time

long time

a -

On the

go,

Now he's

go,

..... ..... ....

sail- ing, where the storm-y winds

,,-,+
do

blow.

0, 'twas Nancy from London, from fair London town;

She was courted by Henry a long time ago,
On the banks of the Nile a long time ago,
Now he's on the ocean sailing, where the stormy winds do blow.

0, the cold stormy winds, me love, makes my poor heart ache;

It causes my bedroom window to shiver and shake.
God knows where my love lies so far from the shore;
I will pray for his welfare; what can I do more?
0, a ship in distress, me love, is a wonderful sight
Like a reg'ment of soldiers just going to fight,
Where a soldier can heave down his firearms and run,
But a sailor he must yield to whatsomever may come.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

74

4 0, to sailors and soldiers, let the punch go around,

Let the punch go around, b'ys, with a flowing glass in hand;
Drink a health to lovely Nancy whom we leaved on dry land.'
0, it's green grows the laurel on the tops of them tall,
For beauty's' a flower that reigns o'er us all,
Where the green leaves will wither and the roots will decay,
And the red rose will flourish in the sweet month of May.
1 In this stanza the second line is simply omitted, and the tune goes on to the third.
S Aunt Fanny Jane Endacolt thought this word should be dilly, but I am afraid the
men won't agree with her

LOVELY NANCY FROM ENGLAND

Sung by Manuel Roberts of Wesleyville, and Stephen Mullins of
Bonavista, S. S. Sagona, 1929.
~e'aletinle

~i1J~J~J~;~I;~J~B-ti4S1
2.

When the storm - y

winds blow, love,

it

makes my poor heart

-.
ache,

It

makes

my

FtilJ~Ir
shake.

Ftn J

shore,
I

God

room

win - dow

r I;

knows where my

love

to

shiv - er

and

J JI; J ;
lies

so

far

from the

J' J'IJ ; ;IJJOIJJl~

I can pray for

his wel- fare.

What can

do more?

Lovely Nancy from England, what a grand smiling stream

Was courted by Willy a long time ago,
Who was on the sea sailing where the stormy winds do blow.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
2

75

\Vhen the stormy winds blow, love, it makes my JXK>r heart ache,
It makes my room window to shiver and shake.
God knows where my love lies so far (rom the shore,
I can pray for his welfare. \hat can I do more?

A ship in distress, me love, what a wonderful sight!

Like a regiment of soldiers just going to fight,
Where a soldier can lay down his firearms and run,
But a poor sailor he must yield to a watery tomb.
4 0 sailors and soldiers, drink a health to your wife;
Young mco, love your sweethearts as you love your life;
As the old toss goes round, b'ys, ,,~th a full glass in hand,
Drink a health to lovely Nancy whom we leaved on dry land.
0, it's green grows the laurel on the tops of them small,
Once I had a sweetheart both slender and tall;
Green roses will wither and sweet lilies decay,
And the red rose mil bloom in the sweet month of May.
/lNaney from London" is popular on both the East and West coasts of Newfoundland. See also Sharp MS. (Appalachian), Harvard College Library, p.
453. For the English version see Hammond, Folk-Songs from Dorsa (Book I of
Sharp, Folk-Soll&s of EIIglan4). pp. 20-21; JOIIN/ol of Ih~ Folk-Song Society, ill,
101-103,272; VI, 37. The fifth stanza (above) does not belong to this song. Cf.
"The Rejected Lover," Campbell and Sharp, No. 56, B, st. 6:
The green leaves they will wither,
And the roots they will decaYi
And the beauty or a fair young girl
Will soon lade away_
Almost the same words occur in Q'Conor, I,ish Com-aJl-ye's, p. 52. With the
first line of the stanza d. "Then green grows the laurel, and 50 does the rue"
(Cox, p. 4'7).

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

34THE GHOSTLY LOVER

Sung by Mildred White and Laura May White, Sand)< Cove, 1929.
JnfPtOderauli~

1@9Ml(J J air- F eJIJ J ) J J

"0 ~

r"

lift9

ve.r hills

eJ IJ

dearl rm forced to

1@9 J J
stum - hIe

go,

1] J
In - to

and

loft-y moun- tains, Ob dearl oh

~

CC Cc
H

Du,

I might be guid - ed

JjJ J I
with-out one

J pLJ J J ~
the

of

you,

my

hills and lofty mountains

Dh dear! oh deal! I'm forced to go,
lf I might he guided without one stumhle
Into the arms of you, my love. 11

He went till he came to his love's room window,

love."

.. Over

And kneeling down upon a stone,

Through the pane of glass he whispered slowly,
"Say, lovely Betsy, are you at home?"

ClO, who is this under my room window,

Disturving me (rom my long night's rest? II
It

'Tis your own true love, he is come to see you.

I pray get up, love, let me in."

4 She rose her head from her soft down pillow,

Her lily hreast like a snowy light,
When they kissed, shook hands, and both emhraced,
Till this long night was to an end.
They kissed, shook hands, and in sorrow parted
Just as the cock began to crow.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

77

6 "Had I the ink of the darkest color,

And had I a paper of the lily white,
And had I a pen of the pennsylvania,
My true love's praises I would write."
Although the words do not seem to bear out the title. the White girls insist this
is a song about a lover who was dro....'Ded, but rose from his watery grave to see
his sweetheart once again. Miss White remembered from her father's singing,
a few lines evidently of another song,
"This very night I will lie with you,
Although you're so many miles away.1t

"ls there any room at your feet for me?'"

uI'm come from my watery grave."
In Folk-Songs of IJu So,dn, No. 147, Cox prints a version of the same theme
(" Mary's Dream"), but the metre and treatment are so different that 1 do not
think the songs are related.
This is one of the {olksongs in which words and music seem wonderfully
matched. The tune expresses grief, resignation, and passion, just as the lines do,
and from my experience with Newfoundlanders, I should say the song repee
sents quite accurately the attitude of the women toward the loss of their men.
The present song, though it has been applied to a tragic theme, is really a.
version of a quite different piece, as may be seen from the full text in Ord, p. 8c}.
I A line of "Sweet \Villiam's Ghost" (see NO.9, stanza 7).

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

35
THE BOLD PRlNCESS ROYAL
Sung by Manuel Roberts of \Vesleyville, S. S. Sagona, I929.
In ",od"<J/e lime

ill &Pi J'1 1 J J I J J' 1

I~~ J r r I r G iJ
J IJ DI
_

Bright Mon-day mom-ing We had sailed from the strand, In

Roy - at

bold Prince of

Bound to

New-found-land;

tfij r ala r c c iJ
teen

jol - Iy

from

the

Six-

J J I J J' II

sea - men Was our ship's com pa ny.

tYtJ==tttl D J i J' IJ
wind

the

J I Jdl

east-'\\,Olrd, To the west ward steered

Bright Monday morning

We had sailed from the strand,
In the bold Pri"ce oj Royal
Bound to Newfoundland;
Sixteen jolly seamen
Was our ship's company,
And the wind [rom the eastward,
To the westward steered we.

We had not been sailing

Past a night and a day
When a bold-hearted pirate
To the windward us lay.
'Tis a bold-hearted pirate
And she seems to draw nigh,
On the peak o[ her mainsail
Black colors did fly.

And the

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
3

"0," says our second mate,

"0, what shall we do?
For if this is a pirate
He will soon round us to."

Then up speaks our captain J

"For it cannot be so;
We'll loose our main topsail
And from them we'll go."
4 Early next moming,
When she ranged up 'longside,
With the loud-speaking trumpet
U\Vbere're you bound to?H he cried.
For our captain been witty
And he answered him so;
"\Ve're out from Cape Faroe,
Bound down to Cairo. JJ
U Clew your main topsail
And round your ship to,
For I've letters in my cabin
To send down by you."
""'ben I clews my main topsail
And rounds my ship to,
\Ve'll be in some snug harbor,
Kot 'Iongside of you."

They chased us to windward

For a night and a day;
They chased us to leeward,

But gained no headway;

They fired shots across us,
But 'twas all no avail,
For the bold Prim;. of Royal
Soon showed them her tail.
ow, my brave b'ys,
inee the pirate is gone,
Come aft in my cabin,
Come aIt everyone,
H

79

80

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

Come aft in my cabin
And drink of good cheer,
While you have searoom J
Brave b'YSJ never fear."

Manuel sang "The Bold Prinu of RoyoJU just as be learned it from an old man
while out on a sealing vy'ge. Grace Yarrow showed him the song in Folil-Songs
of Eng/and (Sharp and \V-illiams), Bk. n, pp. 40-4', and told him of Queen \Ictoria's daughter, the Princess Royal; so he decided the ahip was probably
named Prinuss Rtryal. The men on the SalOM read this English version of &
song familiar to them, and discussed it with considerable interest. It opened. to
them some of the broader aspects of fotk.-50ng. For an excel.lent version see
Eckstorm. and myth. MinslrtlSYClJ Mai'K, pp. 256-257. Cf.Journal oflJJe FolkSong Soc:idy, I, 62, 103; n, J45-146, 170; R. V. Williams, Folk-Son,s from the
East<nt C""nli<, (Sharp, Folk-Song, of EngkJnd, Book II), pp. 40-4'. A variant
in the Brady MS., Harvard College r.;hrary. p. ,Sg. calls the ship "the Royal
Apprentice from St. Joho's, Newfoundland."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

81

36
THE DARK-EYED SAILOR
Sung by Mrs. Rosie White, Sandy Cove, 1929.
I

As I roved out one evening fair,

To view the fields and to take the air,
I meet a maiden all on my way,
And I paid attention,
And I paid attention to what I heard her say.

I said, "Fair maid, do you rove alone

When the day is gone and the night coming on?"
She cried, while tears down her cheeks did fall,
"For me dark-eyed sailor,
For me dark-eyed sailor, so manly, true, and bold."

"Go banish sailors out of your mind.

Some other young man so good you'll find.
Throw him aside whilst your love is away,
For a cloudy morning,
For a cloudy morning brings forth a pleasant day."
4 These fond words put her heart in flarne;
She says, "On me you won't play no game,"
She drew a dagger and then she cried,
"For me dark-eyed sailor,

For me dark-eyed sailor, a maid I'll live and die."

0, half the ring young Willy showed;
She seemed to be acted with joy as of old:
"You're welcome, Willy; I have land and gold,
For me dark-eyed sailor,
For me dark-eyed sailor, so manly, true, and bold."
6 'Twas in the cottage near the sea
They were joined in wedlock, in unity.
Young girls be true while your love is away,
For a cloudy morning,
For a cloudy morning brings forth a pleasant day.
This English broadside song is common in American songbooks and has been
found in West Virginia (Cox, No. 93) and in Nova Scotia (Mackenzie, No. 64).
See also Oed, PP.323-S24; Wehman Bros.' Good Old-Time Songs No.2, pp. 7-8;
B.ra.dy MS., Harvard College Library, pp. 131-132 ("William and Phebe "). The
aJ.r IS almost identical with one which Finger collected (Frontier Ballads, p. 18).

82

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

37
JOHNSON; OR, THE THREE RIDERS
(TRE TREEE BUTCHERS)

Sung by Dennis Walsb and Michael Walsh, Jr., Fleur de Lys, r9'9.
With swinging rhythm

I~ ~ a1 I~ i~ ~~ l I1 J1 1 I~ l' F lit)
J'I
-: == -.
'-...:

2.

"0, I won'tstop/'cried Wil- SOD; "0, I won'tstop/,cried Brown; "I'll

I@~ F S DIU J' J llLI 491~

bold -ly stop,"cried]ohn-son.llFor

I heard a

wo-man cry."

Three boys wele driving along [one day]

As fast as they could drive: 1
"0 hark, 0 hark," cried Johnson, "for
I heard a woman cry."

"0, I won't stop," cried Wilson;

"OJ I won't stop," cried Brown;

"I'll boldly stop," cried Johnson,

" For I heard a woman cry."

3 0, he alighted his horse back

To search those fields all round,
And there he saw a woman
With her hair pinned to the ground.
4 As he stepped up to her saying,
"What brings you here this way?"
"'Tis by those cursed robbers,
They brought me here to-day.
1 Dennis thought the three boys were carrying money to do charity to some poor
people.

OF NEWFOUNDLJ\ND
"They ripped me and they stripped me,
My hands and feet they bound,
And they laid me here a-dying
With my hair pinned to the ground."
6 He took her up on his horse's back
And belted her on behind;
He tore his coat orr from his back
To shield her from the wind.
As they were driving along
As fast as he could drive,
She put her finger to her lips
And gave three mournful cries,

8 When out jumps ten brave robbers

With weapons in their hand;
They boldly stepped up to Johnson
And ordered him to stand.
9 "0, I will stand," cried Johnson,
"Stand with all my glee;
I never yet was a coward or

Afraid of any man."

10

Of the ten, there's nine knocked down;

Tbis woman he did not mind;
She drawed a knife out from his belt
And pierced him through behind.

II

ItO, I must fall," cried Johnson,

"And fall unto the ground.
'Tis by this cursed woman,
I am given my deadly wound."

12

ow this woman was taken up

And placed in oil and strong,'
For murdering one of the finest men
That ever the sun shined on.

For" irons strong."

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

THE JOLLY BUTCHERMEN

Sung by Will White, Sandy Cove, 1929.
RaJher fast

MAJOR A:""D MZXOL\'DtAN MODPS

~r' J'r Olr er' G Ir' G J. J'IJ 11

'Tis

of three jol- ly

butch-er - men, As

I heard peo-pIe say;

air r
took five hun - dred pounds in gold

All

J J f*U

on one mar-ket

'Tis of three jolly butchermen,

As I beard people say;
Tbey took five hundred pounds in gold
All on one market day.

As they were riding the road along

So hard as they could drive,
"I'll boldly stop," says Johnson,
HFar I heard a woman cry.1I

"0, I won't stop," says Wilsonj

UNeither will I," says Reillj
"I'll boldly stop," says Johnson,
aFor I heard a woman cry."

4 0, Johnson throwed his borse all round

And viewed the woods all round;
'Twas there he saw that woman stark naked
With her hair pinned to the ground.
H

Is you any treacherous woman?"

0, Johnson he did say.
H

"0, no! 0, Dol this woman said,

Such things can never be."

They

day.

OF NEWFOU DLAND
6 0, Johnson been a valiant man,
A man of courage bold;
He took the great coat from his back
To keep ber from the cold,

To keep her from the cold winds

And the cold weather too;
He takes her up behind him
And made no more to do.
g

As he were riding the road along

So hard as he could ride,

She whips her fingers in her ears
And she made a dismal noise;
9

And up then jumped those swaggering blades

With weapons in tbeir bands,
And boarded up to Johnson
And bid him for to stand.

10

"I'll stand, I'll stand/' says JOhnSOD,

"So long as I can stand,
And never all in my life
Was I aleared of any man!"

II

0, Johnson been a valiant man;

His bullets he let By;
He killed eight of those bold swaggering blades
And bleeding in their gore;

12

And up then jumps the other two:

u It's time for us to flee. J1
II Give me a spear/'
this woman says,
It I'll gain the victory!"

'3

0, Johnson riding the road along,

This woman he did not mind;
be took a long knife from his side
And runned him through behind.

14

"I'll fall, I'll fall," says Johnson,

"I'll fall unto the ground,
For this accursed woman,
She's give me my deathly wound."

8S

86

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

IS

For this accursed woman

Shall be hung on iron strong,
For killing so good and kind bulchennan
As ever the sun shined OD.

~ Co.I:. No. 86; Campbell and Slwp, No. 50. Derived (rom a seventetnlhcentury English broadside (see details in Cox) i J ourl'Ull DJ 1M Foli.sMlI Soddy,
vm, 2-3. Campbell and Sharp's No. 50 has a totally dissimilar tune, but their

No. 20, D (a version of "Lillie Musgrave and Lady B&m&rd," Child, o.8t)
begins with two lines like Dennis's tune for "Johnson." The modern version of
thiJ tale ru.nssomething like lhis: - A JlW1 was driving &long the open road one
day, when a woman signaled him, and asked (or a ride into the town. He took
ber in, but as they came into the busy part of town, she c:ooUy aid, I f Gh,e me
twmty-fi,""t: dollars or I'll scream," After considering the implications of the
situation, he gave her the money. and proceeded on his way more cynically.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

38
HANDSOME JOHN
Recorded by Jane Quackenbush from the singing of John Henry
Gueunuex, Barr'd Harbour, 1928.
1

A lady live neal Portland Square;

She keep a waiting maid so fair,
Who loved tire footman as her life
Expecting for to be his wife.
Refrain: Sing fal de diddle ai-lido 0,
Sing fal de diddle ai-diddle larry O!

A maid been dressing of her hair,

The lady said, "I do declare,
John is a handsome lad complete,
A smarter lad never walked the street."

A maid been dumb and could not speak;

Her heart with grief did almost break,
But still tire lady's tongue ran on,
el And what a handsome man is John."
4 At last tire maid all silence broke,
Answered tire lady very cross;
"Madam," she said,

Il

upon my life,

John promised I should be his wife."

uTo marry you, you saucy jade!"

All in a rage tire lady said,

And witlr tlrat tire lady sprung
To box her ears she then begun.
And witlr tlrat tire maid began
To ring her bitter complement,
And tire bell in her ear went ring-a-ding-ding,
All for tire sake of handsome John.
The maid gived up and runned away;
The lady she have gained tlre day;
Now John is a gentleman, we hear,
Witlr tlrirty tlrousand pounds a year.
S Now ladies have a new plan,
Boxing for tlreir fancy man,
And to conclude and finish my song
Goodnight lady and handsome John.

88

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

39
THE DUKE OF ARGYLE
Sung by Daniel Endacott, Sally's Cove,

1921.

Recorded by E. B. G.
DORIAN MODE

J luj ))1
"!t's fare-well,now,Miss Gor-die,I'm now go-ing

J. J'
cross the

~J J
cross the

~j

J-4 J.
wide

0 -

0 -

cean, I don't mean to

my

de-ceiveyou;

life

I'll

~
i J' IJ;;;;I;;;b==I==M

cean, where the loud can - non

Jd=IJ

yen - ture

U1

J' J 4 1J J. J 1J J

Eire
wide

to leave you, For to

rat - tJe,

will

, bt441
of

bat - tie."

lilt's farewell, now, Miss Gordie, I'm now going to leave you,
For to cross the wide ocean, I don't mean to deceive you.
I'll cross the wide ocean, where the loud cannon rattle,
I will venture my life on the broad field of battle."

((I'll dress in men's attire, Alexander, I'll go with you;

I'll dress in men's attire, Alexander, I won't leave you.
We will boldly fight on, in front line and centre;
I'll be true to that call, Alexander, I'll venture."

3 On the fourteenth we sailed, on the eighteenth we landed,

On the banks of N argyle,' where our troops was commanded;
Where the bullets did fly, and the loud cannon rattle,
The lady's true love he was slain in that battle.
1

Or /I the Nile!'

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
4

As he fell on the ground, while his sword it lay bleeding,

She kissed his pale face, while the tears down was streaming;
She picked up his Bag, his ensign to carry,
0, she wove it up high in the midst of the valley.
The blood it did Bow like a stream from the fountain,
And many's the brave man there was slain on that mountain.
She's a rich lady gay, of high birth and breeding,

0, she fought for her king, while her true love lies bleeding.
The Duke of Argyle he came courting this lady,
Where she's dressed in men's attire, and he's going to salute herj
But still she cries" No! Though you are our commander,
No man I'll enjoy since I lost Alexander."

BALLADS AND SEA SO GS

4-0
THE FIRST COME IN IT WAS A RAT
Sung by Daniel Endacott, Sally'. Cove,

1970.

The first come in it was a rat,

With a long-tailed coat and a beaver hat.
Rickety rol de rue de dee,
Right fo! 00 dee.

The next came in 'twas an old tom-cat;

She swallowed the mouse and bolted the rat.
Rickety. etc.

3 The next come in was a bumblebee,

Playing the banjo on his knee.
Rickety, etc.
4 The next come in it was the snake,
And be brought in a load of cake.
Rickety ro! de rue de dee,
Right fol 00 dee.
A fragment of a version of liThe Frog and the]'Iouse." See Kittredge, Joumal,
xxxv, 394 fJ.; Payne, Publications of the Te:ras Folk-lAre Society, Vi Cox, No.
162; Campbell and Sharp, No. 1I9i Mackenzie, No. ISS; Richardson, pp. 7879; Shoemaker, pp. 268-269i Flanders and BroWD, p. 122; Thomas, pp. [54-ISS.

OF NEWFOUNDIAND

THE TWELVE APOSTLES

(THE CAllOL OF THE TWELVE NUllllERS)

Sung by Charles \Vtllis, Fogo, 1929.

I

ntSinga.

Response.
IstSinga.

Response.
ISt

:2

Singer.

lsI Singer.
RlSPonSl.
1St

Singu.

Respo>JSt.
lsi Singlr.

AU logelher.

Come and I will sing you.

What will you sing me?
I will sing you one, O.
\Vhat is your one, O?
One and one is all alone
And evermore shall be so.
Come and I will sing you.
What will you sing me?
I will sing you two, O.
\Vhat is your two, O?
Two of them were liIy.white babes
Dressed all in green, O.
One and one is all alone
And evermore shall be so.

Come and I will sing you.

1St Singer.
Wha t will you sing me?
Responsl.
ISt Singer.
I will sing you three, O.
&sponsl.
What is your three, O?
ISt Singer.
Three of them were triers,
Alllogelher. Two of them were liIy.white babes
Dressed all in green, 0,
One and one is all alone
And evermore shall be so.
The stan:;as continue thus cumulatively, until the last, which is as follOW1:
12

1st Singer.

Response.
1St

Singer.

Response.

Come and I will sing you.

What will you sing me?
ing you the twelve J O.
What is your twelve, O?

91

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

ISt Singer.

All/ogelher.

Twelve is the twelve apostles.

Eleven and eleven went up to heaven,
To get the ten commandments.
Nine is the nine bright shiner.;;,
Eight is the eight archangels,
Seven is the bright star.;; in the sky,
Six are the jellicum I waiters,
Five's the plumb boys over the boat,
Four's the gospel preacher.;;,
Three of them were triers,
Two of them were lily-while babes,
Dressed all in green, 0,
One and one is all alooe
And evermore shall be so.

'B
Last st.anza of a variant written out for us by another man of Fogo. The
twdlth stanza i. lacking.

I'll sing you eleven.

What is your eleven?
Eleven is the gate of heaveo,
Ten is the Big Ben,
ine is the sunshine,
Eight is the daybreak,
Seven is the key of heaven,
Six is the crucifix,
Five is the narrow eye,
Four is the narrow door,
Three to eternity,
Two the broad harecy,
One upon the right eye,
Hit her over lbe olber eye,
Who can sing and who can dance as well as me?
Uncle Dan Endacott sang this to me in 1920 (not recorded), saying that they
usually sang it only at Christmas time. Then I heard it in Hartford, Conn.,
lrom Mr. W. O. R. W'illiamson, and finally recorded these t"o !ellIS from the
East Coast 01 Newfoundland.
For an illuminating study of this old cumulative religious song, see W. W.
Newell, JouNUJl,IV, :215-220. It is variously known as liThe Twelve ApostJes,"
I

For "delicate"?

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

93

"The Ten Commandments,ll and "The Dilly Song." For American texts see
also CampbeU and Sharp, No. 109 (North Carolina); h",rnal, XXX, 335-337
(Kentucky; with notes and references); Flanders and Brown, pp. 83-85; Fuson,
p. 187. For English texts. discussion, and further references see Sharp, Otu
Hundred E"'llish Folksongs, No. 97 (and notes, pp. xlii-xliv) ; Sharp, Eng/ish
Folk Songs, D, 120-123, No. 47 (and DOles, pp. xxii-xxiv); Sharp, FoIli: Songs
from Somusd, No. 87. IV, 22-25; A. \\'Uli:uns, FolkSongs ollJre Upper TJuJtn6,
pp. 286-288; Spence, Slid/and Fo/k-wre, pp. :l4J-I4-3; Penlin. Proumings
Dorset Nalural His/Qry and ,h,Jiquaria" Fitld Club, XXVlI, 25-28; Nota and
Que-its/or Scnnersd and DOTSd, I, 147-148; vn, 44-45; VIII, 174-175, 218,356-357; The Essex Reoiew, IV, n8-IJOj Folk~Lore Journal, YD, 244-246; Journal of
the FolkSong Society. v, 24-26; VI, 24-26. cr. uln those Twelve Days" (Journal
of the Folk-Song S()(;idy. vm, r 17-1 18), a different song. For learned discussion
and abundant material see Archir:io pcr 10 Studio dale Tradj.r.iol~i PopuJari, I,
416-423; II, 97-106,227-230; ill, 6r-64; VII, 493-50r; x, 264-265, 498-5r8; Xl,
265"""275,35-322; XlI, 38-53, 378-385, 422-434, 532-535, 57[-580; XID, 582601; XlV, 173-183; 474-499; xv, 92-U)4; xvn, 513-516; RCflJte des Traditions
PopuJaires, x, 650-655; XI, 114,395; XID, 503; xvn, 41)6-497; La Calabria, v, No.
II, pp. 81 fr.; Rnistado Mb,no, XlV, 25-29; G. F. Abbott, Mactdo'tian Folklore,
pp. 38-333

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

94

TURKISH ME -D'-WAR
(THE

"~1AJuGOLD")

Sung by Daniel Endacott, Sally's Cove, '929.

Our goodly ship was loaded deep,

And anchor weighed to the bow;
Our course we steered it was east sou'east,
As close to the wind as we could lie.
We had not sailed many miles
Tor leaved very far our native shore,

Before we spies ten Turkish men-o'-war

Before the wind down on us bore.
2

"Come douse your colors, you English dogs,

And come in under our lee,
For all this night and forevermore
You'll remain in our slavery.
What is your captain's name and your goodly ship,
Your ship of fame?"
"Thomas Hare our captain from Bristol came,
And the Marigold is our ship's name."

3 "Go aloft, go aloft, my little cabin boy,

To our maintopsail high,
And it '5 there you 'Il spread King George's flag,
And in under it we will fight and die."
Then at it we went like heroes bold,
Like enemies wben they do meet,
From eight in the evening until eight next day,
We remained in our bloody fray.
4

'Twas three we sunk and three we burned

And three like cowards ran away,
And one we towed into fair Bristol town
To let King George know we had gained the day.

For an English version see "The Royal Oak; or the Marigold" (Surrey), JtnlTMl
of 1M. FoiloSOII' Soddy, v, ,67-16g.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

95

4-3
KELLY THE PIRATE
Sung by James Day, Fortune Harbour, 1929.
I

Now three years we're sailing and cruising the main,

Before a French admiral we chanced for to SPYi
We looked him and viewed him and viewed him all round,
"That's Kelly the pirate I'll bet fifty pound."

Me b'ys, look aloft and see all things clear;

Clap your hel-m to windward and after him steer;
Have your guns ready loaded and your matches at hand,
And be ready to attack him at the word of command." 1
II

'Twas yardarms to yardarms as snug as amId lie,

Till the wads from our great guns through Kelly's rigging did fiy,
And the helt of our metal down on him did maul,'
And away goes his ensigns, staff, colors, and all.

4 We boarded the prize, as you might understand;

Every man takes his pistol and cutlass in hand;
\Ve took 'em all prisoners that very same day,
And for New York prison we then bore away.
Here's a health to King George DOW, and long may he reign!
He conquered Ameriky, proud France and proud Spain;
He conquered that hruiser and bid him adieu.
Success to his frigate a and her gallant Cfew! 4
Mr. Day sang Lhis song with gusto. Be was known as a showman who never disappointed his audiencesj so the room was packed to capacity when he sang for
us, and each new arrival gently but firmly closed the outside door tightly, as be
stepped in out of the rain. Under the stimulus of the breathless appreciation,
Mr. Day became a creator, treating words, tune and time with lofty freedom.
The listeners enjoyed themselves hugely, but upon the recorders descended a
sense of inadequacy (reflected in their notes), as they heard a new phrase struck
off fresh from the mint whenever they meekly asked for the repetition of some
phrase missed in the excitement. Mackenzie (No. 81) has three variants of
.. Kelly," representing two distinct versions. This is a fourth, still different, but
closer to his B-C than to his A (which corresponds to English broadsides and to
the text in the JOUl1llU oJ11u Folk~o,.g Socidy, VI, 34-35). See also Shoemaker,
pp. '77-178; Brady MS., Harvard CoUegeL'bmry, pp. 87-88.
I This second stanza is rrpeated in the manner ~ "doubling."
I Var.: "on the deck did fall."
Var.: "With his bonny stout frigate."
t This last stanza should be "doubled."

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

44
BOLD WOLFE
Sung by Will Payne, and Daniel Endacott, Sally's Cove, 1929_
Rttardcd by Eo B. G.

In PrUJdnak

Come all

DoUAN MODE

lim~

)"e

Up. you young

young men all.

all,

Let this

de-light

Let DOth - ~ fngbt yo~

let

yourcour-age fail When you're brought to

let

your fan - cy

'-'

move

you:

At the first

tri . ai,

de

Come, all ye young men all,

Let this delight you;
Cheer up, you young men all,
Let nothing fright you.
Never let yoU! courage fail
When you're hrought to trial,
Nor let your fancy move
At the filst denial.

I went to see my love,

Thinking to woo her;
I sot down by her side,
"'ot to undo her;
But whenever I speaks one word,
My tongue do quiver;
I durst not speak my mind
While I am with her.

oi - at.

Cheer

Nev -er

Nor

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
3 "Madame, here's a diamond ring
If you'll accept it;
Madame, here's a chain of gold,
Long time I keeped it.
But when you're in repose,
Think on the giver;
1fadame, remember me,
Undone forever."
4

Bold Wolfe he took his leave

From his dear jewel;
Sorely she did lament,
"Love, don't prove cruel."
He says, H'Tis for a space
That I must leave you,
But, love, wherever I go,
I won't forget you."

That brave and gallant youth

Have crossed the ocean,
To free America
Of her division;
Where he landed at Quebec
With all his party,
A city to attack
Both brave and haughty.
6 Bold Wolfe drew up his men
In a line so pretty,
On the Plains of Ahraham
Before the city;
On the plains hefore the town,
Where the French did meet him,
Where a double number round
Is all to beat him;
When drawn in a line
For death preparing
And in each other's face
Those two armies staring,

Where the cannons on both sides

Did roar like thunder,
And youth in all their pride
Was tom asunder;

97

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

8

Where the drums did loudly beat,

The colors a-flying,
And the purple gore does stream
And men lie dying.
So mutely Bold Wolfe
On the mount came walking,
And in each other's face,
Those two armies talking.

When a-shot from off his horse

Fell that hrave hero.
May we lament his loss
That day in sorrow.
10

Bold Wolfe he seemed to wake

As he lay dying,

But in lifting his head

Where guns do rattle,
Unto his army said,
"How goes the hattie?"
II

His aide-de-camp replied

That 'tis in our favor,
Quehec in all her pride
There is none can save hef,
For 'tis falling in our hands
With all her treasure.
u 0, then/' replies Bold Wolfe,
It I will die in pleasure."

This martial and moving: song burst on us suddenly in the midst of an evening:
devoted mainly to the woes of the love-10m. Its stately measures linger in one's
memory, with some of its striking lines. ~fackenzie (No. 75) testifies to the
fervor with which it is sung in Nova Scotia., and it is sung in the same mood in
Newfoundland. For references to broadsides and song-books see :Mackenzie,
p. 198. See also, Combs, pp. Ij6-178; Flanders and Brown, pp. 56-57i Shoe
maker, pp. 108-u: 1.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

99

4-5
THE MAN-OF-WAR PIECE
Sung by Tom White, Sandy Cove, 1929.
I

0, the lad that I love dearly,

He's propel tall and thin;
He's well-formed in features,

Well-shaped in every limb.

He is both tall and thin withal,
He's no de lod at all.
He's a lover to my behavior,

And I am a girl so young.'

2

I have kept my true love company

For better than three year;
He promised that he'd marry me
But now he's gone and leaved me,
I can not tell how far;
He bas gone to serve his misery
On board a man-<>f-war.

He gived me his black. ribbon

To mourn for him so far,
But like a loyal lover
Tbe bunch of blue I wear.
If in the wars he will be slain,
His face I never shall see,
But in heaven I bope his soul will shine
Through all eternity.
With the third stanza d. U As Sally Sat A-Weeping,1l stanza 6 (Journal of the
Folk-Song SOGidy, m, 91, d. v, 6Jj Hammond, Folk-Songs from Dorset, Sharp's
Folk-Songs oj England, Book I, pp. 18-19).
1

The ~t two lines are "doubled" in each stanza.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

100

4- 6
SHORT JACKET
Sung by Mn. Tom White,

J., Sandy Cove, 1929.

Wilhspiril

~')'J llt/) QIHdJ

Short jack et and blue

~t

on;

ly

Cap . min

go

like

trou

some

work

This fair

one she

jot. Iy

she"

move a . long.

alb To

IlC1'S

her

and seek her own truelove

put

bold, She'd

b&r gained

pas - sage

rrwas OD

with one

free,

the rag. ing

Short jacket and blue trousers

This fair one she put Onj
Just like some jolly seaman bold,
She'd gaily move aloog.
She hargained with one Captain Roth
To work her passage free,
For to go and seek her own true-love
'Twas on the raging sea.

One night she sat a-dozing,

She were going to her bed;
The captain hove a smile and said,
HI wish you were a maid.
Your cherry cheeks and ruby lips
Have all enticed me.
I ofttimes wish within my beart,
You were the maid for me."

For to

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
3 "Come hold your tongue, dearest captain;
Your talk is all in vain;
For if our sailors would come to know,
They would make sport and game,
For when that we do reach the shore,
Some handsome girls we'll find,
For to rove along with those fair lads
That always were inclined."
4 It's about a few days after,
We reached the Irish shore,
"Here's adieu, here's adieu, here's adieu, captain,
Here's adieu forevermore.

A sailor once I heen on board,

A maid I reach the shore.
Here's adieu, here's adieu, here's adieu, captain,
Here's adieu forevermore."
"Come turn you back, you fair one,

Come turn you hack to me.

A sailor once you been on board,
A lady you might be."
" A sailor once I been on board,

A maid I reach the shore.

Here's adieu, here's adieu, here's adieu, captain,
Here's adieu forevermore."

101

102

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

+7
TARPAULIN JACKET
J/
Sung by Mrs. Wbite and Dorcas Elizabeth Wbite, Sandy Cove, r9'9.

I'm a rambling and roving young fellow,

I've never took care of my life;
I'm a-rambling and roving forever,
And in every port a fresh wife.
Now the wars they are all over,
I'm landed safely on shore;
It's blow me and bless me forever,
If I'll go to the sea any more.
Go send for my friends and relations,
Go send for them all to come;
Go send for my friends and relations,

And also a keg of good rum.

I will send for a keg of good rum, boys,
And to it three barrels of beer,
All to welcome the laddies,
That meets me terry down fear. I
3 And now I am dead and I'm buried,
And that puts an end to my life.
Don't never go sobbing and sighing,
But do a good turn for my wife.
Don't you never go sobbing and sighing;
There's only one thing I will pray, Wrap me up in my tarpaulin jacket
And fiddle and dance to my grave.
4 Give six jolly fellows to carry me,
And let them be all good and drunk.
When they carries me 'long in my coffin,
They will let me fall in with a junk.
Let them all fall a-cursing and swearing,
Like men that are going to go mad.
Just tip a glass over my coffin, saying,
"Here goes a jolly brave lad."
I

For "at Derry-down fair."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

1 3

Sung by Michael Byrnes, Fortune Harbour, 1929.

I

As I was a sporting young fellow,

I never took care of my life;
I sailed the wide ocean all over,
And in every port had a wife.
I sailed through hot and through cold,
I sailed the ocean all over,
I sailed it for silver and gold.
I'll send for my friends and relations,
I'll send (or them every Doe,
And all for to make them quite welcome,
I'll send for a cask of good rum.
I'll send for a cask of good rum, boys,
And three or four barrels of beer,
And all for to make them quite welcome

I'll travel from Derry down here.

Now let them he skittling and laughing,
Like so many going to a fair;
Let them tip a glass over my coffin,
HThere lies a jolly Jack Tar."
Get six jolly sailors to carry me,
Let them be damned pickled drunk,
And when they are going for to bury me,
Get a fiddle and dance on my trunk.
Cf. Sandburg, pp. 436-437- This is the English broadside song I'The Rakish
Young Fellow" (W. Taylor; Catnach; Willey, Cheltenham; etc.). With stanza
4 of A (5 of B) d. stanza 8 of "The Cowboy's Lament" (Lomax, Cowb(Y)l Songs,
P16) and the corresponding lines in "The Unfortunate Rake" and "The Young
Girl Cut Down in her Prime" (references in Cox, No. 53).

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

48
BROKE -DOW

SPORT

Sung by :Manuel Roberts, of Wesle}'Villc, S. S. Sagona, 19'9.

Pm a broken-down sport without money;

My clothes are all tattered and tom;
Not a cent have I got in this wide world, to-nightj
I wisht that I'd never been born.

For they tell me to look for employment,

And not around corners to stay.
r went to the rich man for employment,
But the rich man he turned me away.
My sister she married a squire,
Rides in her carriage so gaYj
Not a cenl could I borrow off from her,
My home I have squandered away.

4 My mother she died broken-hearted,

Wben she heard of my awful downfall.
I wish I bad never touched liquor,
For rum was the cause of it all.
It is interesting to compare this lament with tiThe Broken-down Gentleman It
(GillinglOD, Eight Hampshire Folk Songs, No.8), with "Broken Down" (Tony
Pastor's" In Ik Bowery" SOllgskr, copyright 1872, p. 7), and with the "Lament
of the BrokenDown Fast Man" (lAb",'s Comic Minstrel, ISt Series, London.
1861, pp. 150-153. uwriUen by :Mr. J. A. Hardwick").

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

15

49
ABRAM BRa".
Sung by

Jack Taylor. of

THE SAILOR

f1eur de Lys, on board S. S. Clyde, 1029

"Who is lhat knocking at

my door?" Cried the fair young la -dy.

F..t

"It'l

me-lieU and

no- bo.dyelse/'saidA-bramDrownthe aail-or. "It's

~

me-selfand
I

.....

no - boodY else,"saH:l A-bramBrownthe ail-Of.

uWho is that knocking at my door?"

Cried the fair young lady.
(&j><al IM IuYllin",.)
If

It's I meseU and nobody else,"

Said Abram Brown the sailor.

(&j><allhese ~"a lines.)

2

u:May I come down and let you in?lI

Cried tbe fair young lady.
(Repealiitese two Ii"",.)

"I'm afraid the bed isnJt big enough."

Cried Abram Brown the sailor.
(Repeal/ltese lua lines.)
:Mr. Taylor leamed this song aboUllwenty years ago on the East Coast of Newfoundland. He was reminded or it by bearing a different venion over the radio.

I..om.u bas &!.so noted it from the western stales (MS. List).

106

BALLADS AND SEA SO GS

5
TARRY SAILOR
Sung by Dennis \Valsh, Fleur de Lys, 1929-

J'c eli;
fair 1.on- don

f'! J.

i J' J' I J J

gi<ls they were so

peo - pie

in

say"'Twas

----t ----J'

IIi'

l'

Too - dIe y

J'

;l ;IJ'
0,

pret - ty,

Jack

J.1i iii

ink - urn,

I thought I

the street where

1,1;'

ad - dIe - y

1'i3

ci - ty,
Rapidly

Too-dle. y

beard

do

J'

lay,"

J'631

ad-dle
'--- y'

As I roved out fair London city,

To view those girls they were so pretty,
0, I thought I heard the people say
"'Twas in the street where Jack do lay."
Toodle-y addJe-y ink-um"
Toodle-y addle-y dee.
Chorus: repeat the last four lines of each stanza.

I thought I heard the squire's talking

All to some farmer's daughter Nancy,
I thought I heard the squire say,
"It's with you this night that I should lay."

"I'll tie a string to my little finger

And let the end hang through the window.
0, you come along and pull the string
And I'll come down and let you in."

deel

OF

EWFOUNDLAND

'7

erBe gars/' says Jack, ttil I don't venture

And pull the string hangs through the window.
I'll come along and pull the string;
You'll come down and let me in. H
Then it's right upstairs she did retire,
Thinking she had her OW11 dear squire.
The squire came and pulled the string,
And no onc came to let him in.

But when she woke up in the morning,

She was like one was much mistaken.
lack got on his striped shirt
His hands was covered with tar and dirt.
U What brought you bere, you tarry :iailorJ
To rob me of my golden treasure?
You come along and pulled the string,
And I come down and let you in. 1I

She cursed all the women in the mansion,

Because they were so much mistaken.
HBe gars," said Jack, /Otis a ffew,
Because indeed the hearts is true."

'Twas right on hoard lack did retire,

To tell the Englishmen about the squire.
They all began to dance and sing,
"Be gars," said Jack, "I'll try it again."
This is U Jack the JoUy Tar": Sharp, FolkSongs from Various CounJies. Fo/kSemIS of III/and, Book IV, pp. 38-40; Journal oj lJu Folk-Song Socidy, U, 3840; Barry (from Maine), BuI/duJ. oj IJJ(: Polk-Song Soeidy oj the Northeast, No. 3,
pp.IO-ll. A version called "Doo MeAma" is printed by Wball, SwSongsand
Shanties, 6th ed., pp. 13-14; Finger, pp. 16-11; Shay, Iro" Men ami Wooden
Ships, pp. 36-38.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

108

51
FROM LIVERPOOL 'CROSS THE ATLANTIC
Sung by Herbert Watkin., Twillingate, 1929.
In motkraJe lime

s riC J J I J F C s I
-----..
F' rtttl r s sir s c1=r==g=::#1

I@!I J I j F GW

From Li - ver - pool 'cross the At - la.n - tic Our white sail float-ed

,~

ver the deep. And

the sky

bright-est sun - shine a-

J' l [g'
"#
bove

us,

And

the

wa- WS be

neath

. i IU
~

u.

From Liverpool 'cross the Atlantic

Our white sail floated over the deep,
And the sky brightest sunshine above us,
And the waters beneath us asleep.
ot a bad-tempered man was among us,
Not a jollier crew never sailed,
Our first mate a bit of a savage,
Good a seaman as ever set sail.

3 One day be came up from below deck,

And grasping a lad by the hand,
A poor little half-ragged orphan,
Who ought to be home with his mam.
4 He said in a voice rather roughly,
"How came you to be stowed away?
You are cheating your captain and owner,
Eating, sailing, and all without pay."
He said in a voice clear and pretty,
"My stepfather stowed me on board;
He stowed me away down below deck,
For to keep me he could not afford.

a - sleep.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

19

6 "He said that the big ship would take me

Down to Halifax town, 0, so far,
And he said bow the Lord is your lather,
Who dwells where the good angels arc."
HIt's a lie!" said the mate. UNot your father,
But some of these big skulkers here,

Some solt-beaded, milk-hearted sailor.

Speak upl Tell the truth, don't you bear?"
The mate then drew a watch from his pocket,
As if the lad thought be was drawing a knile:
I'll in ten minutes more you don't tell me,
There's a rope - and goodbye to your life."

9 This lad had a lace bright and shining,

And a pair of blue eyes like a girl's,
Looked up at the scowling first mate, sir,
And brushed back his long, shining curl.
10

This little lad kneeled on the deck there,

And lolded his hands on his breast,
As he must have done in his home dear
At rught when he been going to rest.

11

OII his leet was the lad sudden lilted,

And was clasped to the mate's rugged breast,
And his husky voice muttered, "God bless you!"
While his lips to his lorebead be pressed.

12

uYou believe mc, sir?" said the youngster,

"I'll believe you," and he kissed him once more,
"You'd have laid down your life for the truth, boy;
I'll believe you for now evermore."

This song is not remarkable save for its first stanza, which in words and music is
a lovely description of the mood of sailing on a calm, fair day. It has the slow
sweU of rounded blue and silver waves.

BALLADS AND SEA SO GS

110

52
GOLD WATCH
Sung by ""ill White, Sandy Cove, '929.

sum - mer

fair

eve - ning, In

cit - )',

Lon -don fair

cha.nced for to

spy,

"
I spied in

cheeks like

the

cit - y

C-/

two

to -

ses

band-some young dl.lck-sie, With her

and her cloth - ing

was gay.

As I was a-walking one fair summer evening,

In London fair city, I chanced for to spy,

I spied in the city a handsome young ducksie,
With her cheeks like two roses and her clothing was gay.'
I stepped up to her, thinking for to view her;
I asked this fair maiden where was she a-going,
Kind kisses I gave her, love to her intending,
But 'twas all in vain for she was a maid.

"I will not, I shall not, I will not go with you;

I will not go with you for I am afeered.
My parents will be angry if I should have a lovyer;
My parents "ill call you a wanton young hlade."
4 This made me more anxious and eager than ever,
For to think I could emhrace with a comely fair maid.
Five guineas she demanded, the money I soon handed,
When supper being over we both went to bed.
I

The last two lines of each stanza are U doubled."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

I II

As I been a-tired and weary of drinking,

As I been a-tired and weary of game,

As I feU a-nodding and she feU a-robbing,

She picked my pockets of all that I had.
I slewed ronnd to kiss her, and I instantly missed ber,
I start for the bolster lied nnder my head;
he bad robbed and she bad plnndered, I roared out like thnnder,
But 'twas all in vain for madam was fled.
My gold watch and money, for that I don't value,
~1y jewels and riches for that I do mourn;
1 'm afeered that some ducksic that will be my conductor
And I hope that I'll never meet with such a false girl again.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

112

53
THE BOATSWAIN AND THE TAILOR
Sung by Daniel Endacott, Sally's Cove, 1929.
I

'Twas of a jolly boatswain

In London town did dwell,
He had a handsome wife
And a tailor loved her well.
When the boatswain was gone to sea
The frolic with the boatswain's wife

The tailor he did play.

Refrain: With my diddle 101, de diddle 101, de dee.
2

The boatswain he came home

In the middle of the night,

Put the poor tailor

In the hen of a fright.
"Hide me, 0 hide mel"
The tailor he did cry,
uFor it is your husband,
To-night I have to die."
I(There is an old chest
That is standing outside;
You may jump into that
And a-cunning you may lie. H
o he drove on
With his breeches and his hose,
While she followed after
With the rest of his clothes.

She ran downstairs

And she opened the door.

She saw her husband
And her husband saw her.
She caught him hy the waist
And she gived to him a kiss;
He says, lIMy loving woman,
Wbat do you mean by this? U

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
I'm sorry, loving wife,
I've come for my chest;
I'm sorry, loving woman,
To disturb you from your rest.
Our ship she weighs anchor
All ready for to sail j
We're bounding away
Wi th a prospering gale."
II

6 And in walked the boatswain

And five more so strong,
Tbey picked up tbe chest
And they carried it along.
Tbey lugged it along
To the end of the town,
And the weigh t of the chest
Caused the sweat to roll down.
Says one to the other,
"Let's lay him down to rest."
"0, no," says the other,
"For the devil '5 in the chest."
II 0, no/' cried the boatswain,
"You needn't for to fear,
For it is a scurvy tailor,
Now I've got him here."
Tbey took the poor tailor
And tbey put him in tbe nook;
No one to touch him
In the longboat came up.
Re opened the cover
In the view of them all j
He's just like a hawk
In the cobbler's stall.
uo, now, Mr. Tailor,
What brougbt you bere?
0, now, Mr. Tailor,
You needn't for to fear,
For I will press on you
And send you off to sea;
No longer you'll stay home
A-cuckolding of me."
Campbell and Sharp have this song (No. 42). The tune is not similar.

II3

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

54
THOMAS AND

ANCY

Sung by Bryant Galliott, Sally's Cove,

1920.

Recorded by E. B. G.

In

DORIAN AND AEoUAN MODES

motk,al~ linu

....

When the bo' - s'n's loud whis tie

I~ ~ r

"-.,;

sound ing, Causing

J J 1=v-ttfTIiFB+rR=F1

Nan - cy

I&~

keeps

Be

and

Tho mas

to

part,

As she stood on

the

fjlfJJ DILL; IJ :;.; IjjU

beach bro - ken - bea.rt-cd,

The tears from her blue

did start.

When the bo's'n's loud whistle keeps sounding,

Causing Nancy and Thomas to part,
As she stood on the beach broken-bearted,
Tbe tears from ber blue eyes did start.

uO ThomasJ 0 Thomas,'J cried Nancy,

When you're roving far over the foam,
Think of Nancy your l'ya! true lovyer,
Think of Nancy and your paryents and borne."

3 Our good ship sailed over the ocean,

Like a sea-gull went over the foam,
And Thomas lay on his down pillow,
Dreamed of Nancy and his paryents and home.
4 Our good ship sailed over the ocean,
Like a sea-gull on the billows was tossed,
And the rocks broke our good ship in sunder,
And our good ship and the cargo was lost.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

"S

As Nancy was roaming the bide-way 1

In the place where she oft roved before,
She saw the cold corpse of her Thomas
A-lloating aloog by the shore.
Sbe kissed his pale lips to ber sorrow.
And she kissed them again to ber grief,
And before the sun rose on the morrow I
To you, l'ancy, death brought relief.
Come all you young maids that goes courting,
That never object any grief,

Be like Nancy, that I'ya! true lovyer,

That died with her Thomas so brave.
For the story of the singing of this song, see Introduction, p. ni. It is a
variety of a common English broadside song (George Walker, Jun., Durham;
Catnach, etc.).
1

Qq. "byway"?

116

BALLADS AND SEA SO GS

55
SQUIRE

ATHANIEL

D BETSY

Recited by :Mrs. S. Waltersl Rocky Harbourl 1921.

Air from Mrs. Eliza Coles, Sandy Cove, 1929.
DoRIAN MODE

.. -

'-~-

Dart. was the nigbt,coldblowedtheair. The lirstca.medown was raiD., '''"hen

Bel-llyleavedher mo-thu'shousc.Shefearednotwindnor

cold;

....

Bet - sy leaved her mo-thee'shouse, She feared not where she goes,

""'-=

'-"

Dark was the night, cold blowed the air,

The first came down was rain,
When Betsy leaved her mother's house,
She feared not wind nor cold;
When Betsy leaved her mother's house,
She feared not where she goes,
This girl been young and fond in view,
'Twas love that made her go.

o At ten o'clock that very night

Down by the old oak tree,

Which grieved her parents more and more
To see where she had been.

Her mother rose, put on ber clothes,

Crying in accents wild,
"This country I will travel through,'
Till I finds my child."
1

This

'-.:...::..-.go.

girl been young and fond in view, 'Twas Jove that made her
I

When

"This lonesome country I'Ulravei through" (Mrs. ColQ).

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
For eight long days and eight long nights,
Down hy the greenwood side,
Up hills, down hills she hunted,
But Betsy could not find;
And on her way returning home
This gracious woman cried)
Until at length hy chance she broke her heart
And then laid down and died.
4

'Twas ofT of Squire Nathaniel,

The owner of the land;
He went a-hunting with his hounds
With gallant company.
Up hills, down hills he hunted
But nothing could he find,
Till at length by chance he spied a fox
Down by the old oak tree.
These houods begin to sniff and snort
And then to dig the clay;
'Twas more than those three men could do
To keep those hounds away.
When these three men they gathered round,
They called for picks and spade,
And dug the ground and there they found
This missing, murdered maid.

6 And when the grave was opened,

Come view a mournful sight,
To see the worms eating out those eyes
That once shone blooming bright.
Her milk-white breast was cut and scarred
With heavy wounds and blows,
And every wound drew forth fresh blood
Come trickling through her clothes.
And on her bosom a knife was found
Through sorrow, grief and shame,
And on the handle of the knife
Was Squire Nathaniel's name.
"I done the deed" Nathaniel cried
"My soul han'gs forth for hell. '
Just hide this cold corpse from my eyes,
And then the truth I'll tell.

117

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

118

8 H'Twas ten o'clock that very night,

Down by the old oak tree,
Where she grew weary and I grew tired
Without any fearity;
The devil he whispered in my ear, saying,
'Kill her and you'll go free.'
9 "The knife I cut my dinner with,
I plunged it in her breast;
'Twas with my staff I knocked her down I need not tell the rest.
Whilst gazing on that cold, cold corpse
With sorrow, grief and pain,
He drew a pistol from his belt
And fired it through his brain.
II

10

Right where he fell they buried him

No Christian field for him,
No clergy found to bless the ground
That he lay buried in.

.Mrs. Coles called this song: uThe Squire'" and had a few differences in the words.
However, the correspondence was astonishingly close, when the eight years'
lapse of time and the hundred odd miles between tbe singers are considered. To
this ballad belongs, in part, that printed in Journal oj the Folk-Song Socidy, I,
186-187, but the differences are remarkable.

Ilg

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

56
WEXFORD CITY
Recited by Mrs.

"~alt.cn,

Sr., Rocky Harbour I

'Twas in the city 01 WexfOld

The merchant he did dwell
He had one only daughter
Her I did love well.

She was both tall and handsome,

With a dark and rolling eye.
I promised lor to marry her,
And that I can't deny.

1920.

3 I went unto her sister's house

At the hour 01 eight o'clock,
In hopes to meet with my own true love,
For I had not long to stay.
4

I says, uFair maid, will you take a walk,

gay,
talk
wedding day.

We walked along
A fragment of liThe Wexford Girl" (Cox, No. 90j Mackenzie, No. US). See
Mackenzie's references. Add Dobie, Texas Qtul SouJh'Weslern Lore, pp. 213-214.
Belden derives it (rom the English broadside song liThe Berkshire Tragedy, or,
The Wittam Miller" (see Journal, xxv, II).

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

120

57
SALLY MO ROE
Fngments recited by Mrs. Hayes on the S. S. Sarona, 1929.

Instead of being a friend of mine,

To me he proved a foe,
He never gave my letter
To young Sally Monroe.

The ship was lost

And down amongst the number went
Young Sally Monroe.
The captain said, co :My young fellows,
I'm afraid some of you
Have murdered some fair maid
And then ran away.
Her poor troubled ghost
Has appeared on the scene. JI
Up steps one young man,
And he says, HIt's not I."
Up steps young Willie
And he says the same.

4 She stripped him and tore him

And lore him in three,
U Because you have murdered
:My baby and me."
Mrs. Hayes recited these fragments together, but the first seven lines belong to
"Young Sally Munroe," olberv..ise kno'\\"D as HCharles Dickson" (Dean, The
Flyint Cloud, pp. 35-36; Journal oj Ih~ Fol.Son, Soddy. m, 291; Greig,luiv;
Ord,PP.115-116). The rest is a bit of "The Gosport Tragedy" (Campbell and
Sharp, No. 39i Mackenzie, No. 29; COlt, No. Sgj Joumal. xx. ::6t).

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

121

58
THE LASS THAT LOVED A SAILOR
Sung by Tom White, Sandy Cove, 1929.
With spirit

1@9211~ J J 11+1Jij J ljlLfJ

Once

I loved a.

sailor so dear as my llie,

tr::e J IWIJ @b@4d

orHO=e-1 J J J DJ 111

J'

told me be would make me his wifcj But now he

;9 r

And oft-times he've

some oth. er

one,

Leaved me and my ba

Ig)\L'l-g_ I J J
f}

'-' Leaved me and

moum,

ba - by

in

gone sick for

:oJ. 1:oJ.

r I J S'r I
my

is

by in

J J

SOl -

row

SOl -

row to

UtI
to moum.

Once I loved a sailor so dear as my life,

And ofttimes he've told me be would make me his wife;
But now he is gone sick for some other one,
Leaved me and my baby in sorrow to mourn. 1

0, my parents chastised me, 0, because I done so,

But now I am despised by all other ones I know;
My father and mother turned me from the door,
So now I must ramble and beg like one poor_
0, once I was so red as the bud of fair rose,
But now I am as pale as the lily do grow,
Like a flower in the morning, my beauty's all gone.
Don't you see what I am come to, by the loving of a man?

4 0, come all ye pretty fair maids, wheresoever ye be,

Don't you trust to any young men by any degrees.
They will kiss you and court you and swear they'll prove true,
And tbe very next moment they'll bid you adieu.
I

The last line of each stanza is repeated.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

122

59
NEAR TO THE ISLE OF PORTLAND
Sung by Tom \Vhite, Sandy Cove, 1929.
I

Ye landsmen, pay attention

To my sad and mournful tale.
Our ship she was bound to the Indies, me b'ys,
To run down they sot sail.

We were outward bound for the Indies

For to bring bome gold and store,
When heavy gales and lofty sails
And the billows loud did roar.

3 Bad weather, bad weather never ceases

And heavy falls of snow;
No tongue could tell what was the full
Of our sorrow, grief and woe.
4 Six beautiful young ladies
Been standing here all round,
Where they reached and stretched to reach the sky,
To the bottom they all went down.
We were near to the Island of Portland,
Where our gallant ship went down;
There were never a better commander
Sailed out of Plymouth town.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

12 3

60
THE MINES OF AVONDALE
Sung by Ned Wiseman, Fortune Harbour, 1929_
1

Now come all ye good people for an air, I hope that you'll attend,

Come listen unto those few lines that I have lately penned;
When you hear my lamentation it will cause you to weep and
wail,
About the suffocation in the mines of Avondale.
2

Now it happened in eighteen hundred and sixty-nine,

Those miners all, they got a call, for to work in the mines,

And little did they think that day that death was going to steal
Their lives away without delay in the mines of Avondale.
Now the women and their children their hearts were filled with

joy,
To see their men go work again, likewise every boy.
A fearful sight at broad dayligbt, it caused them to turn pale,
To see those breakers burning o'er the mines of Avondale.
4 Now a consultation then was held to see who would volunteer
To go down into the woeful shaft to seek their comrades dear.
Two Welsbmen bold without delay and courage did not fail,
Tbey ventured in those woeful shafts in the mines of Avondale.
Now when they reached the bottom in hopes to make their way,
One was smothered for want of air, the other in deep dismaYi
He gave a sign to raise him up to tell the dreadful tale
That all was lost forever in the mines of Avondale.
Now the next two that did go down, we took of them good care,
And every effort they would make, we'd send them down fresh
air,

In going through these cbambers, and this time did not fail,
And finding their dead bodies in the mines of Avondale.
Now sixty-nine in number, all in one heap was found,
They seemed for to be waiting their fate in underground;
To see the fathers with their sons clasped in their arms so pale,
It was a hard, heart-rending sight in the mines of Avondale.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

8

Now to conclude and finish, their number I'll pen down,A hundred and sixty-nine brave men were buried underground.
They're in their graves, 'tis there they will stay, their widows
to bewail;
Their orphans' cries now rend the skies, right over Avondale.

The terrible disaster described in this ballad occurred at Avondale, Luzerne

County, Pennsylvania, on September 6, 1869. One hundred and ten men lost
their lives. See Shoemaker, pp. 212-213; Korson, Songs alld Ballads of the Anthracite Miner, pp. 131-139. Cf. Henry, New Jersey Joumol of &iu,colion, XlX
(1930),10, and JounzaJ, XLIV, lIZ-IIS.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

61
l\IARIA A." ID CAROL! E
Recorded by Jane Quackenbush from the !ililging of Julie Ann
Gaulton, Barr'd Harbour, 1928.
I

Come all young men and

maiden~, come listen to my song,

Concerning love and two fair pretty maids - it won't delay you
long.
There is a hill not far away, this dreadful deed was done;
Maria and sweet Caroline were murdered by Allan Jones.
2

He went on to his sweetheart's house at ten o'clock at night,

But little did young Caroline know he held her in his spite.
He says, "My dearest Caroline, you must take a walk. with mc,"
And she agreed with his company to go with him next day.
Her mother says, "Dear daughter, you'd better stay at home,
For it's not safe for you to walk with this young man alone.
You'd better take your sister Maria along with you,
And then I've no objection, dear daughter you may go."

4 Early the next morning, just by the break of day,

h1aria and sweet Caroline far away did straYi
And when they reached near Folkestone, the villain he drew

nigh,Maria and sweet Caroline he took their Jives away.

He kissed his darling's poor cold lips lay bleeding on the ground,
He lore the clothes all from her back and unto her did say,
He S<'lys, II My dearest Caroline your blood my hands have stained,
On earth we'll meet no morc, but in heaven we'll meet again."
6 When this sad news rC<'lched the parents' ears, they cried, If What
shall us do?
Maria she is murdered, <'lnd lovely Caroline too."
They wrung their hands and tore their hair in sorrow and despair;
Tears rolled down like tarrows all from their raging eyes.

And early the next morning their bodies it was found

In a lonesome spot near Folkestone lay bleeding on the ground j
And if you chance to stray that way, those letters you will find
So deeply in the grass so green - AIaria and Caraline.

126

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

When this yOWlg man was taken his owo life for to try,
He first was sent to London and there condemned to die.
Come, all young men, take warning to this sad fate of mine;
Remember sweet Maria and lovely Caroline.
The dismal hells are tolling; on the scaffold I must prepare.
I hope my soul in heaven shall rest and meet Caroline there.
I'll bid farewell to all my friends; in the wide world I'm alone,
And I must die for murdering far from my native home.

Tedea (or Dedea) Redanies, a soldier in the British service (born at Belgrade),
murdered Caroline and Maria Back (aged nineteen and sixteen) near Folkestone
on August 3. 1856. He was hanged at Maidstone on January r, 1857. The
motive was thought to be jealousy, but it seems likely that he was not of sound
mind. The text here printed is a variant of liThe Folkestone Murderi or, The
Murder of Maria and Caroline" (Jourl/al of the Folk-Sollg Society, v t 138-139).
Two other broadside ballads on the same affair are reprinted by de Vaynes, The
Kentish Gar/mId, ll, 590'"""592, with full information.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

12 7

THE SCOTCH LASSIE

Sung by Tom White, Sandy Cove, 1929.

In mod"'" Ii...

l! II J' I J' J' J'

'Twas of

is

with

I@~i

J
no

a Scotch las sit,

true mem - her

her

her name

and dwells

-----.sh.

mon ey

J' J J'
J' toJ'
hon
ny
I.d
die

was Jane, She

it

on

the

plain,

Wess

IJ

tok.

.i'

her

And

gay, There's

J 0
1 way.

'Twas of a Scotch lassie, her name it was Jane,

She is a true member and dwells on the plain,
And with her own money she dress so in gay,
There's no bonny laddie to take her away.

0, nine times a day she do look in the glass

And says to herself, I'm a neat bonny lass."
And with a loud laugh she cries out, "Hal Hal"
There's no bonny laddie to take her at a'.
(l

Her hoots they were made of the 'lastic so fine,

And they been admired by the old and the young;
One sixpence will cover the heels been so sma';
There's no bonny laddie to take her at a'.
The church or the chapel is sure to be first,
And if you're not first, you 'U be left in the lurch,
Where teachers and preachers are perching also,
There's no bonny laddie to view her big toe.

128

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

0, when she came home, her old mother did cry,
"So neat as you dress, those young men pass you by?
When I were your age, just twenty and three,
I get plenty young laddies to take me away."

o now you are married, you'll do all you can,

And be a good wife and please your own man,
That you may have children, by ODe, two, and three,
And blessed by the laddie that stole you away.
This is a fragment of uNae Bonnie Laddie will Tak' me Awa'." See R. Ford,
Vagabond So-ngs alld Ballads oj Scotland, n, 208-210. A bit of the same has been
used as a game*song (JotmUJI of the Folk.Song Society, v, 221-223).

In Pelham, N. Y., Dec. 1930, Miss Elizabeth McPhail sang the following version
of this song, remembered from her mother's singing in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Recorded by E. B. G.

I@~bg /1 J' J' J' J' J' J' J J' J J J'I

Queen Ma - ry, Queen M& - ry,

my

age

is

six teen, My

tPJ' 1 i 1 J' lill' J J' I/ f J' J' JsOtJ

fa-thee's a farm-er in

yon-dergreen.He'splen-ty of mon-ey

to

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

63
GILDEROY
Played and sung by Isaac Churchill, Twillingate, 1929.
~

~It

~I

1>. '"oouo" Um,

t!M

Gil

eJ
ev

er

de - roy

was

as

neat

boy

As

@$LLHJ. 3'J ~ \

Scot -

"J J
- vy

; -I

til;

ta-land

reared, His

p' 1 J ;
blue

And his

trou - sen; of

J:tJ;

jack - et

let

J. U

red.

Gilderoy was as neat a boy

As ever Scottaland reared,
His trousers of the navy blue
And his jacket scarlet red.
A fragment of the famous Scottish song uGilderoy." See Child, Etlglish and
Scottish Ballads, VI (1858), 1l}6---202; Dryden's Miscellany Poems, m (1716), 321323; Fawcett, Broadside Ballads (Osterley Park), pp. r83-I8S; Journal of the
Folk-Song Society, IT, 239-242 (d. n, ng-I2I); Shoemaker, pp. r87-I&). The
air is something like the air for "Willy Reilly" (Campbell and Sharp, No. 104, A).

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

13

64THE PRETTY FAIR MAID WITH A TAIL

Sung by James Gillespie, Fortune Harbour, 1929.

i J J

0-.../

It

been

in

the

month of Jan -

ry, Bound a-

} J! J @IJeJ J' IJ
way

for the South - em

; J' J'

the

seas,

car - riage. A - wait

We dropped our

J'
ing

an - char be

ObttO
lor

breeze.

It been in the month of January,

Bound away for the Southern seas,
We dropped our anchor beneath the carriage,
A-waiting for a breeze.

It been in the middle of the night,

And OUI watch been alone about;
Under our bow we heald a splash,
And then heard a wonderful shout.

"There's a man overboard," the watch did cry,

As they all stretched faIth and Ian,
And under our bow we beard a splash;
'Twas a jolly old bluff merman.

4 His mouth was big and his teeth was white

And his eyes as big as three,
And a pretty blue tail as he sat upon
Went a-wingaling down in the sea.

HI wants for to see your noble captain,

Pray send him unto me."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

'3 1

6 Our captain came to the good ship's side,

As bold as brass came he:
"Now tell me, my man, as fast as you can,
Whatever I can do for thee.
H

"You 've got your anchor in the front of my house,

Aod stopped up my ooly door;
My wife nor my chicks can't get out to row,
And my chicks ODe, two, three, and four.
8

If'Twould break your heart to hear their cries,

Aod the row that they had with me;
I was out last night with a small fish-fight
At the bottom of the deep hlue sea."

9 Our captain said, "You look just like ao Englishmao,

Aod you talk like a sailor bold.
Now teU me, my man, as fast as you can,
However did you come with a tail?
IJ

10

A long time ago, in a ship I roved,

I got washed overboard in a gale,
And I sank down below, where the seaweeds grow,
Met a pretty mermaid with a tail.

II

She save 1 my life and I made her my wife;

My two legs turned in a tail;
1 'm married of age, to a pretty fair maid,
At the bottom of the deep blue sea."

II

II

Flanders and Brown have this song (Vermont Folk-Sollgs o,la Ballads, pp. 176177. flThe Merman"); it was learned from a native of Newfoundland. It has
some resemblance to the well-known II Married to a Mermaid" (L. A. Smith,
The Music oj tlte Waters, pp. 9C>-9l j Davis and Tozer, Sailors' So,~gs or Ch(lI/ties,
3d cd., No. 48), of which a comic version by Albert Smith may be found, for
example, in Tile FumlY Man's Song Book, edited by J. E. Carpenter (London,
1864), pp. III-II2j see also Diprose's NnJJ ConllC Song Book (London), p. 26.
t SOfIe is a form commonly U5Cd for the past tense of
IJuiw, IIJruot: srow, sh1oc.

Sl1rIC

in Newfoundland; d.

BALlADS AND SEA SO GS

13 2

WILLY VARE
Recited by Mrs. Isaac Mercer, St. John's, 19'9.

A woman young in widowhood,

Her name was Ellen Vare.
2

One child she had, a little boy;

I scarcely need to say,
He was her only earthly joy,
Her comfort night and day.

3 Oft would she stroke his golden hair

And sigh and say, "Ah me,
A-weary, weary was the day
Thy father went to sea."
4 One day he to his mother said,
"I long so much to he
A sailor as my father was
To sail the wide, wide sea."
She gave consent, although her heart
Was bound up in her son:
"It may he helter for us both.
o Lord, Thy will he done!"
6 At their sad parting time she placed
A Bible in his hand:
"Let this he thy companion still
In far-off sea and land."
When Willy left his mother's home,
He shipped on board the Tylle,
And all went pleasantly and well
Unti! they crossed the line.
B When on them burst a furious storm

And fiercer grew each day,

nti! upon a lonely isle
The ship was cast away.

OF NEWFOUNDLA D
9

Of all the crew but one survived,

And Willy was that ooe.
10

For two long years be strained his gaze

Across the deep-blue wave;
There never came a friendly ship

II

For two long years the only food

That Willy had to eat
Was sea-birds' eggs and fruit
The feathery pahn tree bore.

12

Each sun that rose, each sun that set

Saw Willy on his knees.
Each day he read his mother's gift
Beside the boundless seas.

To succor or to save.

r3 The third long year was near its close

And it was Christmas day,
And Willy sitting on the shore
His thoughts was far away.
14

A hand was on his shoulder placed,

A manly voice he heard:
"What, mate, who would have thought to find
A human being here?"

IS

[Stanza lost.

16

UDon't cry, my man, but come alongj

Willy seemed ready to drop.]

Delay your thanks and fuss;

We're sailing to the land of gold,
So come along with us."

17

Ellen crouches o'er the fire

And shudders at the storm;
The latch was lifted at the door;
There stood a manly form.

18

tl

I've been a wanderer," said the man,

"From many a far-off shore.

I've traveled many thousand miles

To look on home once more.

133

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

134
19

I think, if mem'ry serves me right,

There dwelt not far from here
A woman young in widowhood,
Her name was Ellen Vare.
tc

20

"I hope my dear, dear mother lives;

I heard that she was poor,
And that she has, through love of me
Much sorrow to endure.

21

"I've gathered heaps of yellow gold

And jewels rich and rare;
They are but dross if not with her
My hard-earned wealth I share."

22

She rose up slowly from her chair;

No words her lips expressed;
She threw her arms around his neck
And swooned upon his breast.

23

Old Thomas poked the fire again

And turned to hide the tear,
The story of the Vare.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

'35

66
DOWN WHERE THE TIDE WAS FLOWING

Sung by Harvey Freeman, Twillingate, 1929.

Rather slQ".tJly - wiih fuling

Ij"I 1 1; J 811DJ'J'j @lr ij;

As

roved out one fairsum-mer'smornDownby

Dl

a :flow- iDg
~

I@"OJ 111; J J 1ill; J LRI

nv

14" r

er, Where the birds tbeysang,And \ : lambs they played, And

;' J'I r=F

rI
I@"; t1 r ;' rlf44UJ iJ D; r I
ij J DLgJ

pleas - ant was

the

weath

er, Where we

both got wea - ry

~,

and

sat down In some lone - Iy spot with the branch all round. What

~ Jjl;'jJ J

air OJ

DlgzID

wesaidtherewiU nev-er beknown,Downwherelhetidewas

Bow - ing.

As I roved out one fair summer's morn

Down by a flowing river,
Where the birds they sang, and the lambs they played
And pleasant was the weather,

.
II

Where are you going so early?

"And I do love you dearly.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

I am a sailor just from sea,
And if you 'U accept of my company,
Here's a health . . .
Down where the tide was flowing."
3

Where we both got weary and sat down

In some lonely spot with the branch aU round.
What we said there will never be known,
Down where the tide was flowing.
Mr. Freeman knew the tune better than the words. The man from whom he

learned the

SODg

went do\\o'11 with the S. S. F/on:;d during the World War.

ung by Mrs.

J. C. Roberts, Sally's Cove,

1929.

"Where are you going, my fail pretty maid,

All in the morning early?"
"I'm going a-milking, kind sir," she said,
AU in the morning early.'

'Twas hand in hand they todged along

And pleasant looked the weather,
And many's the flattering tale they told
As they todged along together.

3 When they both got weary they both sat down

Beneath the shade and branches round,
What they done there will never be known
So long as the tides are flowing.
4

This bonny lass sat on the grass

And her color it kept changing,
She says, II Young man, when this you see,
Don't let your mind be ranging."

Each stam:a should be doubled.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

J37

I have five hundred pounds in store,

In wedlock bands there are much more,
You're the jolliest sailor I do adore,
So long as the tides are flowing."

II

'Twas in some alehouse Jack did go,

Where rum and wine and brandy flow,
He drinked to the girl that never said no,
So long as the tides are flowing.

c
Recited by Patrick Mooney, Fortune Harbour, 1929.
I

When we got up to go our way,

Walked hand and hand together,
The birds they sang, the bells they rang,
And charming was the weather.

When we got weary we both sat down

To view the trees and the branches round.

She sobbed and cried, liMy sailor boy,

Don't let your mind go roving!"

This is a form of the English llJust as the Tide was Aflowing" (Sharp and
Marson, Folk Scmgs!rotn Somerset, No. 37, IT, 22-23); Jotlrnal of tJte Folk-Song
Society, ll, 173; Moffat and Kidson, The Minstrelsy of England, pp. 288-289
(from Kidson, Traditional Tunes, pp. 108-1(9).

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

67
PADDY AND THE WHALE
Sung by John Thomas Edison, Fleur de Lys, 1929.
M.tXOLYDr~ MODE

~='d'hYlhm

~' J' i J' 11 J' 1 J

Pad

dy

o Bri - en

left

in

Ire - land

glee;

~j444 i;-Ii J'i J J'iJ' Fe

had

And the

>'---4'
whis -key he drank made his

'821@J J'l
J' J'MID
.
LR.

l'
r/

head go
I

P GPi

astcongno-tionold Eng-land to see; He shipped in the Net-tie (or

Eng-land was bound,

a-round. Laddy whack, fol de dol, foi

de

rol

i de dee.

Paddy O'Brien left Ireland in glee;

He had a strong notion old England to see;
He shipped in the Nellie for England was hound,

And the whiskey he drank made his head go around.

Refrain: Laddy wIsack, fol de dol, fol de rol i de dee.

0, Paddy been never sailing before;

It made his heart ache when he heard the loud roar,
For the glance of his eye, a whale he did spy:
llPm going to be ale," says Paddy, "by-and_by."
0, Paddy run forward and caught hold of the mast;
He grasped his anns round and there he held fast;
The boat gave a tip, and, losing his grip,
Down in the whale's helly poor Paddy did slip.

i
He

He was down in the whale six months and five days,

Till luck one day to his throat he did pop.

The whale give a snort and then give a blow,

And out on the land poor Paddy did go.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

139

0, Paddy is landed and safe on the shore;

He swears that he'll Dever go to sea any more.
The next time he wishes old England to see,
It will be when the railroad runs over the sea.
See also "Jack was ev'ry Inch a Sailor," p. 252, for another If whale" song. This
tune is very characteristic and is popular all along the East Coast.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

68
ERIN'S ISLE
Recited by James Day, Fortune Harbour, 1929.
I

I'm a boy from Erin's Isle

Just landed here tn-day,

I said I'll see if fnr awhile
I'll come across the sea.

Sure they told me England was the place

Where everything was gay.
"Bedad," says I, "if that's the case,
Sure thaes the spot for me."
So I went a-roving hent.
2

I paid me fare, I made everything square,

Me uncles and cousins came by me in dozens,
Me sister was there, a-tearing her hair,
a

Me father was dying, and me mother was crying,

Saint Patrick, Asthore, kiss your mother once more,
Before you go to cross the big sea."

"The crab and the skate, will both eat your feet (fate);
What a beautiful dish you will make for the fish!
And then you'll be drowned and never be found
In the boat that first brought you over."
4 So I went that very next morning
Some strange sights for to see,
And all I had was this old coat
The one that covered me.
Sure the pipes struck up so gaily
Me mother she weeped bitterly and she lost her darling son
And so did Judy Fye.
First come thunder, next come rain;
I was saying a prayer, alone in despair,
Up came the sea, as swift as the wind,

And then knocked me down on some man.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
6

Says one, HFor your jumping, I'll give you a thumping,"

And he up with a stick and gave me a lick,

And as I lay on the floor, a great oath I swore,
If I ever got home, DO more would I roam
In the hoat that first brought me o'er.

"0 master," says I, there's a man passing by.

"Stop the ship and I'll get out and walle"
Sure he brought me some pork, 'twas stuck on a fork,
Saying, HPaddy eat that. '1 Says I, 'OTis too fat."

Sure as I thought on tbe pork, I got sicker and sicker,

And the rain fell down quicker,
And as I lay on the floor, a great oath I swore,
If I ever got home, no more would I roam
In the hoat that first brought me o'er.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

69
ERIN'S GREEN SHORE
Sung by Patrick Lewis, Fleur de Lys,

1929.

In motU,a/~ time

I@ pO!> ~J I; J ; btTttRM4t1tfl
One mom-ing in June as

ram - bled By

the shores of a

I~p% J ; J I;J c12nr r r IF r r IF; I

clear purl-ing stream, I

I~pb& J
ses.

lay

a bank of prim - to

down on

J Ir r r I J r r I rm:t=FI
quick - ly

fell

in to

dream.

rlr r rlFJIJ Jlr r r I

dreamt I

be-held

air

dam

sel,

Her

e . qual J

I@p'& J J F~ Ie; J I; ; Fl
ne'a saw be: - fort.

IfjA

r r Ii;
anm - try,

As

She

sighed for the wrongs of

her

; I J J -J I J J J 1M
she strolled a . long

E - rin's green shore.

lOne morning in June as I rambled

By the shores of a clear purling stream,
I lay down on a hank of primroses,
I quickly fell into a dream.
I dreamt I beheld a fair damsel,
Her equal I ne'er saw before.

She sighed for the wrongs of her country,

As she strolled along Erin's green shore.
o I quickly addressed this fair damsel,
UMy jewell come tell me your name.
I know in this place you 're a stranger,
Or I woulcl not ask wau the same. Jl

~h. " ' 0 ~h<i:. PATUCK LEWIS ASO PETIE

'It.

ASO

SJ:'\GI.RS OF FLEL'R In I.YS

\Iu.

]OHS "\'OfTALL

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
She resembled a girl of some liberty,
Which fell on the mantle she wore,
Bound round with the shamrocks and roses,
As she strolled along Erin's green shore.
II I know you 're the true son of Granouail,
And my secrets to you I'll unfold:
I'm here in this place but a stranger,
Not knowing my friends from my foes.
I'm a daughter of Daniel O'Connell;
From England I've lately sailed o'er.
r came here to awaken my brother,
One who's slumbering on Erin's green shore."

Her eyes shone like two sparkling diamonds

Or the stars of a cold frosty night;
Her cheeks were like two blushing rosesj
Her teeth like the ivory white.
She resembled a girl of some liberty,'
And green 2 was the mantle she wore,
Bound round with the shamrocks and roses,
As she strolled along Erin's green shore.
Transported with joy I awakened
And found I was into a dream.
Tbis beautiful damsel had failed me.
How I longed for to slumber again!
May the heavens above be her guardian!
I know I won't see her no more.
May the sunbeams of glory shine on her,
As she strolls along Erin's green shore!

Cox has it as No. 151, and notes that it is Hcommon in English broadsides."
Miss Jean Thomas has collected it in the Kentucky Mountains. Her tune is distinctly a mountain tune, totally different, and her song has a "moral,"namely, to be courteous to womenfolk, - while the Newfoundland song is an
Irish patriotic song, inciting to action. See also O'Conor, Irish Com-Al-Ye's,
P.38j Wehman broadside,New York, No. 2IOj Delaney's [rish Song Book No. T,
p. 7; TVelttnall's Irish Song BtJok, 1887, p. 42j Well1nan Bros.' PtJCkel-Size frisk
Song Book,No. I (cop. 1909), p. 34j Sharp MS. (Appalachian), Harvard College
Library, pp. 683-684; Thomas, pp. 176-178.
1
I

Goddess of freedom-see Cox, No. 151.

And liberty was the mantle she wore. (Cox, No. 151.)

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

7
THAT DEAR OLD LAND
Sung by John Nohall, Fleur de Lys, 1929.

t7'aI,,;m'Wi~

~IJ J EaIJ ;)
J' lin
set,

And or

all

DIU iJF J I
J' J'

JJ J
the lands I...e

tra - velled o'er It's the

i JI

I will sing to-night of a fairy land,

In the lap of the ocean set,
And of all the lands I've travelled o'er
It's the loveliest I ever met,
Where the willows weep and the roses sleep,
And the balmy breezes blow,
In the dear old land, that sweet old land,
Where the beautiful rivers flow.

But ab, alas! how can I sing?

It's an exile breathes the strain.
That dear old land of my youthful Jove
I never may see again,
The very joy that fills my breast
Must ever change to w0f;,
For that dear old land, that sweet old land,
Where the beautiful rivers flow.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
And I'll sing of the lonely old churchyard
Where OUf fathers' bones are laid j
The cloister stands, its ruins grand
Which our tyrant foes have made.
r will strike the harp with a mournful touch,

Till the glistening tears will flow

For the dear old land, etc.
4 And I'll sing of Emmet's lonely fate
And of Emmet's lonely grave,
Of his early doom and his youthful bloom
And his spirit more than brave.
But 0, how blest and calm his rcst,
Though his grave be cold and low,

In that dear old land, etc.

And I'll sing of Tome and Geraldine,

Proud Edward, true and blest.
They won the crOWD, a martyr's crown;

Tbey sleep in the shade and rest.

In heavenly mold their names are enrolledj

They died in manbood's glow

For the dear old land, etc.
And I'll sing of Ireland's ancient days,
lben her sires were kingly men,
Who led the chase and a mannerly race
Through forest, fields, and glens.
Their only word was the shining sword,
The pen, the patrioes blow,

For tbat dear old land, that sweet old land,

Where the beautiful rivers flow.
Mr. Noftall said that he sang this once to a foreign-going captain, an Englishman, who approved it greatly and said, "'Tis a channer."

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

BURKE'S DREAM
Words from James Conway. tune from Patrick Lewis, Fleur de Lys, 1929.

t;"t

In ,,""/uaI< Ii....

J J 1",1

Sad - ly

ft

down

pil -low

J lr
of

J JI
one night in

LLLJ

wea - ry

my

I@j

but slow Iy

head

10'

long

for

sleep, I

fell

pose

On

my

J IJ J
shall re - mem - ber;

p--t r 1p;L4;1 J
wea - ry

J 1 :J

to

r r Ir

straw which I

laid

No - vern - ber

in

JI
I

been

J
to

doze.

Sadly but slowly one nigbt in November

I laid down my weary bead for to repose
On my pillow of straw which I long shall remember;
I been weary for sleep, I fell into a doze.

I been tired from working hard down in the foreign 1 prison yard;
Night brought relief to my sad heart's should free'
I been locked in my prison cell, surely an earthly hell;
I then fell asleep and commenced for to dream.

3 I dreamed I was sitting on a green hill of Erin,

With no hesitating and 3 victory won,
Surrounded by comrades, no enemies fearing,
But then was the cry J II Every man to his gun."
1

Read "felon."

t
t

Read "to my well tortured frame."

Read "premeditating."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

4 It's on came the section t thenj dread not, ye Fenian men;

Soon they fell back from their pike's volunteers.
I dreamed that I saw our brave noble commander,
Was mounted on steed and his guard did surrear.
He was brave-trimmed with gold and his bright shining chevrons>

'Twas all dint with sunbeams of freedom that day.

Slam bang, the cannons slew, lines they were all cut through,
Men on both sides they lay dying and dead.
The green nag went waving high that day beneath the batUesky;
Every one there did sing out gloriouslYi
Every man, boy, on oath was bound to die that day or stand
their ground,
And all from our vengeance the proud Briton fled.
Slam bang the cannons slew, lines they were all cut through,
Man on both sides they lay dying and lay dead.
Jump out of your prison berth,' for Irishmen have done their
woekj
God he is with us and old Eryin is free.

I dreamed I was sleeping the night beams around mc,

Whilst pitching their lights upon that bloody plain,
\Vhen friends that I once knew in soft sleep reposing
Lay dead and in their gore. Shall I e'er sec them again?
9 \Vith joy then I hastened back over the mountain trackj
My mother she fainted and gave a loud scream;
Surely then I awoke just as the daylight broke,
And found I was in exile and aU but a dream.
From O'Conor, In'sl, Com-Al-Ye's, p. 70, I take the readings in the footnotes.
See. also Delaney's bis" SOllg Book,No. Y, p. 20; IVt/mwn Bros.' P{}(;kt:l-S~ Iri.sh
SimI Book, No. I, pp. 87-88. Wehman broadside, No. 775. II Burke's Farewell"
occurs in English broadsides (e. g., T. Pearson, No. 502). One stanza is worth
quoting:
At Kilmainbam r was to be hanged, drawn, and quartered,
And for my sad fate was prepared;
But government yielded to the voice of the people,
And agreed that my life should be spared.
I

Read "Sasnac:h," i. e. "English."

RI:8d "Burke."

BAllADS AND SEA SONGS

General Thomas F. Bwke \\-'as one of the leaden in the Fenian insurrection of

1867. He was convicted of high treason and senlenced to death at Dublin on

May

It

1867. but tbesentence was commuted and he ....'aS released. The London

Times, May 2, 1367, p. 7, reports that "Burke addressed the Court in a clear,
fum, powerful voice, and in most impressive language.... He had nothing to
regret or to blush fOf, and he was willing to die for his country. The speech bad.

a thrilling effect, and brought tears to many eyes." See also Sj>kJJor, May 4.
1867. p. 486; Saturday Rtrir.o, May II, 1867. pp. 581-582; Daunt, EigJdy.-jitfe
Years oj Irish His/Dry, 1888, pp. 294-295; I.e CaroD. Twcnly--}ivt Years in Ihe
Surd Strciu, 1&]2, pp. r21-122. "The speech delivered by Gen. Thomas F.
Bourke, in the dock, when asked why sentence of death should Dol be passed on
him" may be read in TM F~liatJ Marlyrs C'lshlo Gol Modl,t Songslr (New
York, copyright 1871), and on t.be cover is whal purports to be a portrait of the
General.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

72
THE WATERFORD BOYS
Sung by Mr. and Mrs. John Nottall, Fleur de Lys, 1929.
I

Well, boys, for diversion we're all met together.

I'll tell how from Waterford hither I came.
I crossed the big ocean in dark gloomy weatherj
My heart it was light and my pocket the same;
Sad at leaving old Ireland, but once more on dry land,
By the roadside a tavern I happened to spy,
And as I was meltin' my pockets I felt in,
The price of a drink, I was mortally dry.
Clwrus:
For we are the boys for fun with an element,
For drinking and dancing and all other joys;
For ructions, destructions, diversions and devilment,
Who can compare with the Waterford boys?

In that tavern I strolled, out the master be rolled:

ffMorrow," says he. Says I "If you please.
Provide me a bed, but first bring me some bread,
A bottle of porter and a small piece of cheese;
For times they are queer, provisions are dear,
If you can't get meat l with cheese be content,"
Says the landlord I "You Ire right,'l as he brought me the bite;
I rolled up me cuffs and at it I went.
My bread and cheese ended, I then condescended
To seek some repose, 50 I asked for a light,
And soon in a doze I was under the clothes;
I popped in my toes and popped out the light.
But waking from sleepingl I heard something creeping,
Wandering and wandering about my bedpost,
Squeaking and scratching; thinks I 'mid my watchingl
HIPon my consciencel you lye mighty long claws for a ghost!"

BALLADS AND SEA SO GS

4 My breath I suspended; the noise it soon ended;

I ventured to peep from beneath the bedclothes.
"MeaI-a murther, what's dat?" and a thumping jack-rat
With a leap from the floor lit a-top of my nose.
"Thunder sweep ye/' says I, ufor a scheming old vagabond I

Take that and that!" as I leaped on the floor,

Shouting, "Murther and firel Tim, Jerry, Mariar!
The rats they are eating me up by the score!"
The landlord a-frighted, he came with the light,
II

I am murdered alive," says I,

SO

I must away."

Says he, "Before going, I'll have you be knowing

For supper and bed you've five shillings to pay."
"Five shillings for what?" says I. (l Ah, don't be disgracing
YourselI for a rogue,u says I, U if you please.
When I can't sleep for rats, you 'ye a brazen old face on

To charge me five shillings for plain bread and cheese."

6 Says he, "0 perish the rats! I wish they would leave me.
They've ruined my trade and I'm not worth a rap."

Says I, "The five shillings if you will forgive me,

I'll tell you how to keep out every rat."
"0, agreed then." Says I, tlO to supper invite them..
Plain hread and cheese put before them be sure,
And don't mind if they're wiIliog, but charge them five shilling.
Bad luck to the rat that you'll ever see more!"
See also The Wearj"g of the Green S01lgsler, copyright 1866, pp. 52-53; Paddy'sthe-BoySongsle,/ copyrighl 1867, pp. 52-54; The Rocky Road to Dublin Songster,
copyright 1868, pp. 22-24j The Tltat's lite Stylcfor Me, Boys, Songster, copyright

1869. pp. 60-61j Dan BT)'ant's <l Sllaml Jlte Post" SOllgsJcr, copyright 1870, pp.
52-53; John At. Burke's "Dl4blil Carman's" Songslcr, copyright 1871, pp. 2829; M,. Dan Nasl,'s II I,eland and Ame,ica" Songstu, copyright 1880, pp. 3435; DcJanty's Irish Sont BODk No.2. p. 19; Q'eonor, pp. Il5-u6. Mr. Noftall
thought this prank was thought up by a young Irish emigrant when he had no
money to pay for his lodging and food.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

73
THE DRUNKARD'S DREAM
Sung by Patrick Mooney, Fortune Harbour, 1929.

; J. _, I

do

won - der

I@"" J J
they

Ft" J f
you

not

you

n J I J.
-./

where you

been.

n; I J

wdr;

you

Your

once did

drunk

wife and

lam - i - Iy

n J I J.

~ them strange,

: ;.I"J 4 J I; 9.J. Jtp

are kind-u

to themnow_llowc::ame thishap-pycha.nge?"

tlDermit, you look healthy now, your clothes are neat and clean;
I do not see you drunk about; I wonder where you been.

Your wife and family they are well; you once did use them
strange,

But you are kinder to them now. How carne this happy
change?"
2

It was a dream, a warning voice kind heaven sent to me

To snatch me from a drunkard's curse and wanton misery.

Me wages all on drink I spent, - 0 what a WTetched view!

I almost broke my Mary's heart, and starved my children too.
3 What was a wife or home to me? I heeded not her sighs.
On straw my babes in sickness lay; I heard their wailing cries.
My children too have often woke; "0 pappy dear," they said,
HOur mammy has been weeping because we've got no bread."

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

4 I danced and sang in drunken joy whilst Mary's tears did stream;
Just like a beast I feU asleep and had this warning dream.
I dreamed I once more staggered home; there seemed a solemn
gloom.
I missed my Mary. Where is she gone? And strangers in the
room.
The people said, "Poor thing, she's deadl She lived a wretched
life,

For grief and want it broke her heart, to be a drunkard's wife."

"She is not dead!" I frantic cried. I rushed to where she lay;
I fondly kissed her once-warm lips, were ever as cold as clay.
"Now Mary, speak one word tome! TO more I'll cause you pain.
No more I'll grieve your loving heart; I'll never drink again."
6 "OMary, speak! It'sDennitcalls." "Why so I do," she cried.
I woke and I found my Mary dear was kneeling at my side.
I pressed her to my throbbing heart, while Mary's tears did
stream,

And ever since kind heaven I've blessed, for sending me this
dream."
See Cox, No. I 29 for texts and references, including broadsides ("The Husband's
Dream"). Add Popular Songs and Ballads NO.1 (copyright (882); Gems 0/
MitJSt,d Songs No. I (copyright 1882), p. 28j WOlman's Bros.' Good Old-Titm
Songs NO.4, pp. 112-113i F. W. Allsopp, Folklore oj ROt1umlic Arkansas, D, 209"""
::ZIlj Richardson. p. 4Jj "~ehman broadside. No. 454; 'Wehman's PtH;ket-Siu
Irish Song Book, NO.3, pp. 73-74j Spaeth, Weep S011U: Afore, J.ly lAdy, p. 193j
Dobie, Texas a,1d Southweslem Lore, pp. 125-127.

OF

EWFOUNDLAND

153

AT THE FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN BROW

Sung by Herbert Butt of Exploits, on board Lbe S. S. Clytk, 1929.
M.IXOLYDlA.'i MODE

Come all

young lads a.nd

tJ
1

IOngj

I~' r

won't

It

It!,

de - tam

b~

cou

1*,

sr
C

pie

bS

at

ten

I f:=f J' I J

hope

you

you'll pay

long.

It's

aU

I'm

go - iog

J'i C fJJ 131

to

lion,

a - bout

~ I r

J' I ~=c c

latt-Iy be-gan a-court-ing

las -

tell

you

now,

young

r B
That

ikJiilJ/ IJ. J U

at the foot of tbemoun-lain brow.

Come all young lads and lasses, come listen to my song;

I hope you'll pay attention, it won't detain you long.
It IS all about a young couple I'm going to tell you now,
That lately began a-courting at the foot of the mountain brow.
"0 Polly, lovely Polly, will you come along with me?

o come and we'll be married just as quick as we can be.

o Polly, lovely PoUy, if you'll come aJong with me now,
I will labor late and early for the maid of the mountain brow!'
This girl been young and silly and didn't know what to say;
Her eyes did shine like diamonds, and merrily did say:
UNo thank you l kind sir/' she said, ('I can't come along with you
now.
I'll tarry another season at the foot of the mountain brow."

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

4

Polly, lovely PollYJ how can you serve me so?

Look down in yonder valley where my crops do gently grow.
Look down in yonder valley, you'll see horses, men, and plowj
They are laboring late and early for the maid at the mountafo
brow."
ltQ

UIf they labor latc and early, kind sir, it is not for me.
The character I hear of you is none the best, I say.
There is an inn where you call in, sure l've beard people say,
Where you rap and call and pay. and then go home at break of
day."
leIf I rap and call and pay for all, my money it is my own;
I'll spend none of your fortune, for they tell me you have none;
You thought you had my poor heart WOD, but I'm going to tell
you now,
I will leave you as I found you at the foot of the mountain
brow. 1t
It 0 Jimmie, dearest Jimmie, how can you serve me so?
This girl who loved you dearly, her love you overthrow;
The girt who loved you dearly you are going to leave her nowj
You are leaving her broken-hearted at the foot of the mountain
brow."

See also Mackenzie, No. 42; Dean, Tlte Flying Cloud a,ulljO Ollter Old Time
Poems and Bollads, pp. 83-84 (from Minnesota).

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

75
THE NOBLEMAN'S WEDDING
Sung by Patrick Lahey, Fortune Harbour, 1929.

f@Miit'ctctdk--.QP45 J' a)
ij' s s
wait

, . G-

once I was in - vil-ed

0,

Ia

up - on

to a

'-

J J IJ

dy

J'

that proved

L@B'

the whole time they was go _ ing to

of

\ ~..J
R

of
I

her

I'

old

J' J' J
true - lo....e came

J.

un - kind,

tm

And

'--'

'all

no - ble-roan's wed-ding, To

be

mar - ried, Thou

ts

1=t'3 J' Sl3t

strong

in

her mind.

0, once I was invited to a nobleman's wedding,

To wait upon a lady that proved so unkind,

And all of the whole time they was going to be married,
Thoughts of her old true-love came strong in her mind.
2

That very same night that this couple were married,

Her old true-love returned home from the briny sea,

Dressed in disguise and unknown to the world,

0, he went straight to the house where the wedding took

place.
3 Tea being over and all sitting silent,
Some of the company had to sing the bride a song.
The first that she came to it was her oLd true-lover,
And he sang her a song was the cause of her end.
4

He sang, "My love don't daunt me. False lovers are a-plenty,
For once it was channing between you and me;
But it is cold and is grown, 0, so cold, lovel
Alas, fades away like the morning dewl

BALLADS AND SEA SO GS

HHow can you lay your head on another man's pillow,
When once you were my true-love so gay?
And now I'll go home and wear the green willow,

Quite discontented, my darling, for your sake.

6

uGreen willow, green willow, it is a pretty flower,

Blooms out in the spring of the year,

Where young men and maidens spend many a pleasant hour,
Kissing and conversing and marriage not near."

Then bride and bridegroom at the head of the table

Both looked at each other when they heard what he said;
Then bright she arose to kneel by her husband;
She was not able, she fell at his feet.
8

HO my darling husband, grant me one (avorl

If you will grant it, to you I'll be true,
For this very nigbt to go home with my mother,
And forever after to Live along with you."

9 This unhappy favor to her it was granted;

With sighing and sobbing she went to her bed;
It was early next morning he arose with the dawning
And went and he found his young bride lying dead.
10

tI Since cruel misfortune, my darling, have us parted,

I do not blame you, for I know you were true.
Since you are dead, love, and all things are ended,
Here's to this world and all its joys I'll now bid adieu."

Belden, Herrig's Archi'D, cxx, 70-71 ("The Faultless Bride/' beginning rll was
of late at a noble wedding")j Campbell and Sharp, No. lOS (liThe Awful
Wedding," with an air which seems distanLly related to the Newfoundland air);
Shearin and Combs, p. :Wj Barry, Journal, XXIV, 339'"""340 (with air and references)j Greig, XXIV; Journal of the Folk-Scmg Society, Vill, 4-5.202-205; Ord.
PP.132-133. Cf. Moffat, The MinsJ,tlsy oj I,dand, p. g8; CoJum, B,ood-Shed
Ballads, PP, 5-6; A. P. Graves, The Irish Song Book. No. 94 (Allingham's adap-

tation).

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

157

76
I ONCE LOVED A GIRL IN KILKENNY
Sung by Patrick Mooney, from Placentia Bay, Fortune Harbour, 1929.
I

I once loved a girl in Kilkenny,

And a beautiful creature was she.
I loved her far better than any,

And I know this young damsel loved me.

Clwrus:
She's the beautiful flower of Kilkenny.
Shall I gaze on her bright smile no more?
I sailed over seas, I saw many,
But none like my Ellen Asthore.
2

When we parted, the bells of Kilkenny

Were merrily chiming awaYi
Her tears fell like raindrops that evening,
But her heart it is sadder to-day.
When we parted that day in Kilkenny,
Her eyes they were filled up with tearsj
The last words to me that she's spoken
Is shuddering on my memory for years.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

77
THE HUMBLE VILLAGE MAID GOING
A-MILKING
Sung by Patrick Mooney, Fortune Harbour, 1929.
~.ui"gi"g'hYlhm

~LD4fF#P!loJ
"Where are

}'OU

morn.ing?" "]'m

Sr

go - ing, me fair

go- ing

a - milk - ing,

sir;'

Mntttt r

dai - Iy bread to

Me

EDid

prel-ty maid, So ear - Iy

she

k C

in the

OD
~

said, "Me

Sa

fa - ther is dead and me

~ j p:J----FEFFf5ttjj
mo- ther is

I@

oJ

J'

fore

poor, No

e 1iJ

friend have I,"

she

r J' 021

said,

a way, don't me

IIWhere are you going, me fair pretty maid,

So early in the morning?"
llpm going a-milking, sir," she said,
II Me daily bread to earn.
Me father is dead and me mother is poor,
No friend have I," she said,
"Therefore away, don't me delay,"
Replied the village maid.

0, I have houses and rich land,

If that is all you crave,
If you'll consent for to be mine,
Sweet charming lovely maid,"
1/

"There-

OF

EWFOUNDLAND

your houses nor your lands

\Vill win my heart," she said,
"Although, kind sir, that I am low,
And but a village maid.
HIt's

"Of lowly birth, kind sir, I am,

And you're of a higher degree.
Therefore away, don't me delay
Nor with me make too free.
For Edmund he's the lad that I love.
He won my heart," she said,
It

DOt

And he has promised for to wed

His humble village maid.

I'When his daily work is o'er,

He'll meet me at yon stile;
He talks of love, the church bell rings;
It's on me he do smile.
He won my heart, and his bride I'll be;
None else on earth I'll crave;
TO one SO happy, no onc so gay
As a humble village maid."

159

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

160

78
MAURICE KELLY
Sung by Philip Major, Sally's Cove, and Capt. John Gullage,
S. S. Sagona, 1929.
Lively

r& gJJ--F)

Recorded by E. B. G.

~ ~
JT-4

Maur-ice KcI-ly

onc night when a. - bout three parts load-cd, Was

Jl
malt - ing for home

foot

..

fig -

~.

LI J Jl l 1

af - tet

twelve in

; t
of

l ;.:~ E&Wtt:=#1
.

rest

the lane where for

D.

he

clothed

but

~E

all

in

got

bad: no

still

4/

Good

an - swer; The

cr that's rust - ed for

LJ
white.

re - mained just as

;1
A

mamed

night, sir," said ReI-Jy,

fig - ute

the

At

;
ap - peared there

the night.

J'

l.
wo,d

)
got

"

he

ID
from

post.

-1 I

"You

fight-ing." But

,
J
the

2]
ghost.

Maurice KeUy one night when about three parts loaded,

Was making for home after twelve in the night.
At the foot of the lane where for rest he remained
A figure appeared there clothed all in white.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

161

Good night, sir," said Kelly, but got back. no answer;

The figure remained just as still as a post.
"You look like a boxer that's rusted for fighting."
But never a word got he from the ghost.

II

:2

He hauled off his coat and he turned up his shirt-sleeves:

(l Come on, now, me bruiser," he spoke up quite clear,
When the figure in white drove his head through a shutter
With a left-handed smack to the hutt of the ear.
It One for you!" cried out Kelly J half stunned with the tumble.
He then made a butt and his head struck a post,
His lower and top teeth tumbled out on the street
With the wonderful dart that he got from the ghost.
By this time old Kelly was feeling half sober;
The ghost left and right his two can-hooks did fly.
He fell down on his knees, with his face like soft cheese:
HWill ye call off the fight while I look for me eyes?"
When the figure moved off and the fight it was ended,
Old Kelly, half stunned, put his hat on his head.

He crawled to the door and did humbly implore

For his wife to assist him upstairs to his bed.
4

He then told his wife how he fought with a stranger,

So strong as a bull, yet a girl almost,
She then told her husband his wonderful danger:
She says, H Maurice, me man, you've been fighting a ghost!"
'Twas Kelly's wife dressed up in white to keep him from drinking;

Sbe gave him a beating and left him for dead,

And he got such a fright he won't stir after night,
But right after supper goes - (Spoken) Wbere do you guess?
straight off to bed.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

79
THE PLOWBOY
Collected by Jane Quackenbush, Barr'd Harbour, 1928.
I

As I roved out one May morningJ

The Mays were all in bloom;
I roved into some sweet Bowery field
To taste the sweet perfume.
r roved into some meadows
To turn my eyes awhile;
There I saw Cupid the plowboy,
Who did my heart beguile.

There I saw Cupid the plowboy

With his harrows deep and low,
Tearing those clods to pieces
Some harley for to sow.
I wish that pretty young plowboy
My eyes they never had seen,
But I gazed at that Cupid young plowboy
With his harrows sharp and keen.

"If I write him a letter,

My mind to him unfold,
He'll write me back an answer
And say that I made bold.
I hope he'll take it kindly
And tum his heart again;
I stop for that Cupid young plowboy
Wi th his harrows deep and low."
4 The plowboy heard the lady
Most sadly to complain.
He sa:y'S, U lly handsome jewel,
I'll ease you of your pain.
Since you bid for your plowboy,
Forever I will prove true;
Since you bid for your plowboy,
I'll wed no one but you."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

Quickly she's given her consent,

Of her to be his hride;
As quickly to the church they went,
And soon the knot was tied.
And now they lives in pleasure}
They have got gold in store;

The lady and the plowboy

Each other do adore.
This is "Cupid the Ploughboy" (\\". A. Barrett, bgUsh Folk-Songs. No. 16,
JOftf1UJ1 of 1M Folk-Song SDCidy, m, lOQ-IIO; IV, 336-337). It is a well-known
broadside pitu: (e. g., Pitt's; Catnaehj Forth; Packlington).

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

80
SOLDIER BOY
Recorded by Jane Quackenbush from the singing of John Henry
Gueunue:J:. Barr'd Harbour, 1928.
I

As I roved out one evening in the springtime of the year,

Through flowering fields and sweet latels my courses I did steer;
There I see all the young soldiers and a pretty maid,
Sat gazing on each other's company in the shade.

I was struck all in amazement when I saw the damsel fair;

Her jet black locks was hanging down allover her shoulder bare;
Her fair fine face enticed mc, which caused me to delay;
I sat awhile in ambush to hear what they did say.

The soldier broke the silence, these words to her did say:
"Cheer up, my lovely Sally, and do not be dismayed.
The regiments are gathering, in short I will away.
For I hear the bugle sounding and that call I must obey.

4 "0 Sally, lovely Sally, you best mind what you say,
For Englishmen are always brave, wherever that they go;
And a thousand more young Irish boys must join so well as me,
And we must fight, conquer, or die, before the enemy.
"Cheer up, my lovely Sally, and do not be dismayed,
While on the plains of India we show what we can do."

When this young couple had to part, down her cheeks the tears

did roll;
They did embrace each other, their hearts then tilled with woe:

I hope kind fortune will favor you and vict'ries crown your JOYi
:My earnest prayer for your welfare, my brave young soldier
boy."
H

cr. "Pretty Sally" (JoUTnol oj lhe F"zkS01., Soddy, vm, 18-19),

SODg

on a similar theme.

&

different

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

81
WATERLOO
Sung by Daniel Endacott, Sally's Cove, 1929.

$ifi''''''tim<
IJ. J' j
OJ

It

hap-pened on

Recorded by E. B. G.

Wednes-day in the Jove - Iy month of

rl
.

to

F
in

rp

youth - ful

bush

$J

J J'

up

r=&=l
love,

aU

to

lay

in

:or

fJfO

G G Ir-

me

they

drew,

.IJ::-t@:Qh

ver-y oext day we marched a-way

vince my

bloom, Where the .press gaog

aw

and

er

to

fight at Wa-ter-loo.

It happened on a Wednesday in the lovely month of June.

I went for to convince my love, aU in her youthful bloom,
Where the press gang lay in ambush and up to me they drew,

And the very next day we marched away to fight at Waterloo.

2

It happened on a Wednesday, the day I put on my dress,

My waistcoat of the scarlet, my hat and feather too,
And that very next day we marched away to fight at Waterloo.
The day we fought at Waterloo it was a bitter blast,
It was by our honorable captain, we was ordered to Bellast,
And when we got to Belfast town, those words, I heard him say:
!fI'm very much in doubt, my boys, that we won't gain the day."

166

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

4
Our captain cries,
true,

II

My heroes brave, come keep your courage

And I hope to God we gain the day we fights at Waterloo."

At four o'clock in the afternoon we was ordered on the plainsj
At eight o'clock that evening the bloody figbt began.
The first shot took my arm from me, so loudly I did bawl,
And the very next shot took my leg from me i then I was forced

to fall.
6

I laid down on those weary plains to rest my aching bones,

Where ofttimes I cried and wished I'd died that night in Water-

loo.
It was when my comrades' day's work was done, 'twas up to me
they drew.
Out of eighteen hundred heroes brave we only lost but two,

Where we made them yell and quit the field that night at Waterloo.
8 It was by our honorable captain we was ordered on the carSj
We had to go on borses' backs the distance been so far.
I thought you were strong-limbed when first you leaved your
dear,
But now you deserves a pension of thirty pound a year.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

82
NAPOLEON'S FAREWELL TO PARIS
(FRAGMENT)
Recited by John Powers, Fortune Harbour, 1929.

Farewell, ye lofty citadel, so towering gtand and cluu:mingl

Farewell, ye lofty counts, ye peers and courtly dames!
I'll join with bright Aurora, advancing (rom the horizon,
That's courted every morning by Sol's refulgent beams.

I am Napoleon :Bonaparte, the conqueror of all nations.

I've conquered dukes and earls and drove kings from their
thrones,
splendid congregations,
Now they have me transported to St. Helena's shore.

., like Hannibal across the Alps,

The burning sands and rocky cliffs,
Over Russian hills through frost and snow,
And still the laurels wore.
\Vithout my concert horse and bone, or saw near the throne,
I'd rather die by a canDon ball with honor and renown.

4 My golden eagles were pulled down by Wellington's allied army;

My troops they were disordered, they could not stand the
field.

His reinforcements came too soon, and on that eighteenth day of

June,
On the vast plains of Waterloo, - which caused me to yield.
Three days I conquered on the plain, liberty's cause to maintain,
And thousands there I did leave slain, and covered in their gore.
I did not fly without revenge, nor to the allied armies cringe,
But now my sword is sheathed, and Paris is no more.

Now tbey have me transported to St. Helena's shore.

JDunuu of lite. Polk-Sont Soddy, I, 14; 0, 183; Belden, No. 36; Wtlrman'! Iris),

Sonl Book, N. Y., 1887, p. 112; Wehman broadside, No. S90; English Broadsides
(Catnach, H.Such, No. IS2; E. HodgcsjHarkness, PrestoDj]. Ross, NewcastleupcmTyne; W. R. Walker, N'ewcastle-upon-Tynej Cadman, Manchester; BebbingtOD, Manchester).

168

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

83
APOLEON THE EXILE
(ISLE OF

ST.

HELENA)

Sung by Tom White, Sandy Cove, 1929.

GluJully w;lh sl'o", om"l,

I~ l:nN J.; IJ SCi J J)' I} J'.

B~

ney

is

J
gone

to

a. - way From his wars and his fight-in'.

...t J I j

de - light in.

place Where he takes

. J' I

J
n.

is

You may

I~ r S Ciffl DiS' e S' e IJ! J. S C

step

FfJ'

fast in

time,love, For what's to come you dun - DO, And

p'r~

J /. Jllj 1 J' I ; 't. l JIJll.~1I

the

Isle of

St.

Boney is away
Flom his wars and his fightin'.
He is gone to a place
Where he takes no delight in.
You may step fast in time, love,
For what's to come you dunno,1
And p'rhaps your days might end
On the isle of St. Helena.'

Louisa do mourn
From hee husband departed.
She dreams when she sleeps
And she wakes broken-hearted.
Not a friend to condole her
Among them that was with heT.
0, she sighs when she thinks upon
The isle of St. Helena.

He - Ie - na.

I "Be ye stedfast in time, for what is to come ye how Dol" (Forga Me Not Songskr) .

The last

fOUf

lines of each verse are "doubled,"

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
3 Here the young King of France
And the Prince of Guiana,
Go and bring your father home
From the isle of St. Helena.
Their white ...
O'er the wild ...
4 uHere's DO more in St. Cloud
Well I fear in great splendor.
Go 'long with your troops,

o you great Alexander.

0, you're no more in St. Cloud,

You're on the isle of St. Helena.
In Journal, XIV (1901), 140, is an interesting fragment of this song, (rom Bridgewater, Mass.
I have also heard this song in Ashland, Kentucky. For references, English
and American, see JOl/rMl, XXXV, 358-359. Add SMgf oj Ou, Land (Boston,
Donahue), pp. 75--"16; Sbarp MS. (Appalaebianl, Harvard College Library, p.
391; Flanders and Brown. pp. 111-112 (Vermont). The song is common in
Englisb broadsides (Catnach; Such, No. 184; Bebbington, Manchester, etc.)
with the title of "The Island (Isle) of St. Helena."

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

84THE BONNY BUNCH OF ROSES

Sung by Mrs. Patrick. Lahey, Fortune Harbour, J929.
Slowly

I@~ J

JAJ. J J tjJ r'

Dy the bor - ders of the

I@

For

fTr

to

hear those

J. ; J

mom~ing

r I ro
war - like

r I~"

cheer-fulnotesandsweet-ly

I J J J J J. til

IT

cea.n One

J J I J F"

12

June,

I@t

0 -

tune,

J
I

in the month of

IT'

song - slers,

Their

uN r r rotN
a-ver -heard

fe-male

ftt n IU' cJ. ; J r I~" JJ I; J. J J I

talk-ing

Who

seemed to be in grieand

woe,

Con-vers-ingwithyoung

I@ J r Ed rJJ J J J J I J. ]
Bon-a-parte Con-cem-ing the bon-nybunchof
I

ro-ses. O.

By the borders of the ocean

One morning in the month of June,
For to hear those warlike songsters,

Their cheerful notes and sweetly tune,

I overheard a female talking
Who seemed to be in grief and woe,
Conversing with young Bonaparte
Concerning the honny hunch of roses, O.
2

Then up steps young Napoleon

And takes his mother hy the hand,
Says, o Mother dear) have patience,
Until I'm ahle to command.
Then I will take an army
Through tremendous dangers I will go;
In spite of aU the universe
I will conquer the bonny bunch of roses, O.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
The first time that 1 saw young Bonaparte,
Down on his bended knees fell he;
He asked the pardon of his father,
Who granted it most mournfully.
uDear son/' he said, "I'll take an army
And over the frozen Alps will go;
Then I will conquer Moscow
And return to the bonny bunch of roses, 0."

4 He took five hundred thousand men

With kings likewise to bear his train,
He was so well provided for
That he could sweep this world alone,
But when be came to Moscow,
He was overpowered by the driving snow,
When Moscow was a-blazing,

So he lost his bonny bunch of roses, O.

HO son, don't speak so venturesome,

For in England are the hearts of oak.

There is England, Ireland, and Scotland,
Their unity was never broke.
o son, think of thy father I
On the Isle of St. Helena his body ties low,
And you must soon follow after himj
So beware of the bonny bunch of roses, O. H
"Now do believe mc, dearest mother,

Now 1 tie on my dying bed,

If 1 had tived, 1 would have been clever,
But now I drop my youthful head,
And whilst our bodies lie moldering,
And weeping willows o'er our bodies grow,
The deeds of the great Napoleon
Shall sting the bonny bunch of roses, 0."
The Laheys had a copy of Wehman Bros.' Irish SOli' Book No. I, from which
they read the words of the song. I wonder where they found their tune? Mackenzie prints this song (l'Ilo. 72) with many references to broadsides and songbooks. It was recently issued as one of the Cuala Press broadsides (Jd Year.
NO.4). See also 000, pp. 31-32.
The fourth note of the scale is missing. G. Y. M.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

17 2

85
THE PLAINS OF WATERLOO
Sung by Michael Walsh, Fleur de Lys, 1929.
Slowly with feeling and rubata

~t 1f-i;LlJ~UI
As

down by

did rove out

on

o~-

the banks

fine

clear

dew-y mom ing, It was

run' - ning

str~, ~

~; i l.6l. 1 liE
lay

in

'-

am - bush

LEI
to

hear what

she

say.

Where the

~Cclr csIGrClrJ.;~'1
song

t.hat she

sang

made the

val - ley

rin,g,

to

~IG r cit [' J'

poor

feathered song-sters a - round her they

flew,

While the

iI!

Say-ing "The

LbuLJ'
E4~nl!l"
), 'i'le: i0'f!'
~
E!~ " '-d-"7~ L oJ t , . nj. ;I:::::l/i
wars are all

0 -

ver

and

peace is now pro -

~JJ~kIEblt~
WiI-lie's not
I

re - turned

from the

plains of

c~ed. And my

.1. .;12.1 It
Wa - tcc

100,"

As I did rove out on a fine dewy moming,

It was down by the banks of a clear running stream,
And who did I spy but my own charming Sally,
As I lay in ambush to bear what she say,

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

173

Where the song that she sang made the valley to ring,
While the poor feathered songsters around her they flew,
Saying, HThe wars are allover and peace is now proclaimed,
And my Willie's not returned from the plains of Waterloo."
2

Now I said, "My fond creature, the pride of all nature,

I pray you will tell me your true lover's name,
And perhaps you'll forget him and place your mind upon me,
And ne'er more will mourn by a clear running stream. II
uWilliam Smith is his name, he's a hero of fame;
Forever until death unto him I'll be true.
There is none I can enjoy but my own bonny boy,
When he do return from the plains of Waterloo."

"If Will Smith is his name, he's a hero of fame;

Long time we marched together through many a campaign;
All through Portugal and France we boldly did advance,
And he was my loyal comrade marching through Spain.
Through Portugal and France we marched along together,
Like bold undaunted warriors to him we did subdue;
How we fought him for four days, till at length we were defeated,
Through famed apoleon Bonaparte forced us from Waterloo.

"It been on the third day, 0, that day of execution,

It was by a French soldier your true love did fall.

I quickly stepped up to him as he lay a-bleeding,

And scarcely had time for to bid him adieu.
With a faltering voice, these words he now repeated,
'Bid adieu to my dear Sally that lies far from Waterloo.'''
0, when she had heard of his sad lamentation,
How her cheeks they grew pale and her eyes they grew diml
And when that he had found that sad situation,
He Hew into her arms, saying) "Sally, I'm the man!
Here is the ring that between us was broken,
In the midst of the danger reminded me of you."
She no sooner saw the token when she flew into his arms:
"You're welcome home, sweet Willie, from the plains of
Waterloo."
See Mackenzie, No. 69, for a Nova Scotia teJl:t and an interesting account of this
song and its relations, with full bibliographical details. The air we considered

one of the finest folk-airs we beard.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

174

86
GLE COE
Communicated by Jane Quackenbush from the singing of Julie Ann
Gaullon, Barr'd Barbour, 1928.
I

As I were a-walking one evening of late

When Flora's gay mantle tlttough the fields decorate,
So eateless I rambled, not knowing where to go,
At the foot of the mountain that lied near Glencoe.
On the top of the mountain the pride had stood on,
A lassie approached me so bright are the

SUD,

With the ribbons and laces all around her did Bow,
The once gay MacDonald the pride of Glencoe.
0 courage undaunted, to her I drew nigh;
Her two cheeks like the roses and her lips seemed to gly.
I asked her name and how far she were going.
She answered me, "Kind sir, I am bound for Glencoe."

Saying, til once had a sweetheart, MacDonald by name;

He is gone to the wars about ten years ago,
And if I never see him, quite single I'll go
And a maid I'll remain till he return to Glencoe."

"0 perhaps he'll forget you for what you may knowThat lovely sweet lassie what he left in Glencoe."
II

My Donald from his promises was never known to part,

For love true and honor I found in his heart,

And if I never see him quite single I'll go
And a maid I'll remain till be return to Glencoe."
All find in her conscience he pulled out a glove,
Which token she gived him in a parting nf love;
She Jay on his breast while the tears down did Bow,
Crying,

Are you my Donald, the pride of Glencoe?"

HO rise, dearest Flora, our sorrows are O'eri

While life do remain, we'll never part more.

May the storms of life at the distance may blow,

We will bless the bappy hour when we met in Glencoe."
This is "Donald's Return to Glencoe." See Ord, pp. 65-66; Mackenzie, No. 68,
who gives full references. O'Conor, p. 136, and Wehman's Pod:d-Siu Irish
Song Book, No. J, pp. 90'""'99. print the song. T heard a better text than Julie
Ann's (rom an old man in Sally's Cove, but did not record it.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

175

THE MANTLE OF GREEN

Sung by Patrick Mooney of Placentia Bay, Fortune Harbour, 1929.

As I roved out ODe evening in June,

When the meadows were channing and groves in full bloom,
I beheld a young damsel, she appeared like a queen,
With her costly gold robes round ber mantle of green.

I said, liMy pretty fair maid, if you 'll fancy me,

We'll join hands in wedlock, married we'll be.
You can dress like a lady and appear like a queen
With your costly gold robes and your mantle of green."

IINo, kind sir," she made answer, u yDU must me excuse,

For I'll wed with no man j you must be refused.
To the green woods I'll wander to shun all men's view,
Since the lad I adore lies at famed \Vaterloo/'
4

"Then tell me in plain, what was your love's name?

For I was in battle, I might know the same. 1I
uDraw near to my garment, it's plain to be seen.
For it is engraved on my mantle of green."
And arising her mantlc, I did it unfold,
Her name and my name in large letters of gold,
When lI\Villiam O'Reilly" appeared in my view,
"He was my loyal comrade at famed Waterloo."
"Your William O'Reilly in \Vaterloo he lie.
He fought in victorious where bullets do fly;
'Twas on the third battle in the late afternoon,
He received his death summons on the eighteenth of June."
As soon as she heard it, she hung down her headj
She seemed just as mournful as one that is dead.
"Here's the gold ring you gave me at your father's green tree,
When you fainted in my arms at the parting of me."

176

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

8 This couple got married, I heard people say,

Great nohles attended on their wedding day,
Saying, "The wars are now over and peace is proclaimed;
You're welcome to my arms, young Reilly again."

WILLIAM O'ROLEY
Communicated by Mrs. Maude Roberts Simmonds, Glenburnie,
Bonne Bay, 1930.

As I roved out one evening in June

Where the fields and the meadows they were in full bloom,
I beheld a fair damsel, she appeared like some queen,
With her costly apparel and her mantle so green.
2

I stepped up to this fair one which put me in surprise,

Where I thought she was some goddess that fell from the skies.
I says, H Handsome fair one, if you will agree
To join hands in wedlock. in sweet unity,
Your rich robes I will spangle, you will appear like some queen,
With your costly apparel and your mantle so green."

II And who is your true love and what is his name?

For I've been in battle and I might know the same. H
"You draw near to my garment and it's plain to be seen,
It's fully embraced 1 on my mantle so green,"

4 I drew near to her garment and there I behold

Both his name and her name in letters of gold.
It's "William O'Roley," he appeared in my yjewj
He was my loyal comrade in famed Waterloo.

"In famed Waterloo where your true love did lie,

Where he fought the victorious where the loud bullets fly,
The last time he fought, love, 'twas in the afternoon,
He received his death summons on the eighteenth of June."
1

Read uengraved."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

177

6 As soon as he said, so all joy from her Bed,

She layed down quite useless just like one was dead,
Saying, U Arise, lovely Nancy, your grief I'll remove;
In my arms I will fold you with my heart full of love."
UFor it's can't you remember the last time we part,

When I was the young man that first won your heart?
In your father's fine garden beneath a green tree,
Where you fain ted in my arms at the parting of me?"
8 This couple got married, as I heard many say,
Rich nobles attended them on their wedding day,
Saying, H\Vars they're aU over and peace is proclaimed;
You're welcome to my arms, young o 'Roley again."
This is another of the Waterloo Irish ballads, on the theme of mistaken identity
and the broken token. It is printed also in O'Conar, p. 38j Ord, pp. 155-156;
Howe's roo IIOld FOflorife" Songs, p. 276 ("Mantle so Green"); The Thal's the
Style for Me, Boys, Sottgsler, copyright 1869, p. 59; Singers' JOItr?/al, I, 174;
Delancy's Irish 50,tg Book NO.3, p. 7; de Marsan broadside, List 14, No. 51j
Wehman broadside, No. 438, etc. Common in English broadsides
Cadman,
Manchester; RyJe & Co., Bloomsbury; Such, No. 217). Belden found it in Mis-

a.

souri (Belden MS" xxxv), and it has been pretty gencraUy circulated.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

88
LONELY WATERLOO

Communicated by Mrs. Maude Roberts Simmonds, Glenbumie,

Bonne Bay, 1930.
I

As a lady fair was walking down by a riverside,

The crystal tears fell from her eyes as I walked by ber side,
I saw her wavering bosom, those words been kind and true,
Saying, "Friends, I'm afraid my Willy is slain in Lonely Waterloo."
2

ltWhat was the clothes your Willy wore? 1J a soldier there replied.
"He wore an 'ighland bonnet with a feather standing high,
With a glistering sword hung by his side over his dark suit of

blue;
This was the clothes my Willy wore in Lonely Waterloo."
3 "If that's the clothes your Willy wore, I saw his dying day;
Five bayonets pierced his tender breast, before tbat be down lay.
He hold me out his dying hand, saying, 'Some Frenclxman did
me slew.'
'Twas I that closed your Willy's eyes in Lonely Waterloo."
As soon as she heard him say those words in the soldier's arms
she .flew:
HO Willy, lovely Willy!" sure she could say no morc.
"If I had the wings of small birds, with eagles I would fly;
I would fly to Lonely Waterloo where my true love do lie."
UI'd alight on his bosom; all sorrows I'd remove;
I would kiss my Willy's pale cold lips in Lonely Waterloo.
I'd alight all on his bosom, all sorrow I'd remove,
Since my Willy lies a mouldering corpse in Lonely Waterloo."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

179

'B
Recited by Patrick Lahey, Fortune Harbour, 1929.
I

"What sort of clothes did your Willy wear?" the soldier did
reply.
IIHe wore a Highland bonnet with a feather standing by,
A glittering sword hung by his side o'cr his dark suit of blue;
And that's the clothes my Willy wore at Lonely Waterloo."

"If that's the clothing your Willy wore, I saw his dying day;
'Twas by a bullet from a Frenchman's gun ...
I was your Willy's comrade, I saw your Willy die,
Three bullets through did pierce his breast, before he down did
lie.
And as he lay, I heard him say, lSome Frenchmen did me slew.'
'Twas I that closed your Willy's eyes at Lonely \Vaterloo."
flO Willy, lovely Willy" - and she could say no more,
She threw herself down on her knees, these awful tidings bore.
H The jaws of death might open me, and swallow me down
through,
Since the lad is dead that I adore, at Lonely Waterloo."

BALLADS A 0 SEA SONGS

180

89
JE

lE 0

Sung by

THE MOOR

Jack Roberts, Sally's Cove,

1929.

Rccon:Ic:d by F.. B. G.

ODe mom for

-./

mits with

true - love.

strayed by the

:.....,/

+'-/
side.

-./

re - ere a - lion

gent - ly

The

'--'

all

her

stand - ing

pride,

-./

in

'Twas there

her

'--'

tis

col - tage

:.....,/

be - hold

door,

With

lOne morn for recreation as I strayed by the seaside,

The sun gently rising permits with all her pride,

'Twas there I behold a true-love, standing in her cottage door,
With roses blooming on her cheeks; 'twas Jennie on the moor.
I says, HMy handsome fair onc, how early do you rise? IJ
H I long to breathe the morning air, as the lark soars in the skies." 1
Tbe spot is weak yonder where those hreakers loud do roar.
Proud is the man who wins the hand of Jennie on the moor.

3 Where we both sat down together, down by some shady side,

I says, "My dear, with your consent, I will make you my bride.

For I bave plenty of command brought from a foreign shore;

Proud is the man who wins the hand of Jennie on the moor. u
I

Var.: "with those ~ stars in the skies."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

lSI

"I have a true love of my own, long time been gone away,
And true I will be unto him while he sails on the sea.
r will entwine him with larks and style him on the shore,
If ever he do return to mc," cries Jennie on the moor.
"If you have a true love of your own, please teU to me his name. lI
"His name it is loyal Dennis, from Newral town he came."
These words were fondly spoken as we parted on the shore;
'III ever be do return to mc," cried Jennie on the moor.
"If your true love's name is Dennis, he's a man that I know well;
'Twas fighting with the allied boys with their angry bal1 he fel1."
She beheld her true love's token which uJX>n his hand he wore;
She fell and fainted in his armSj 'twas Jennie on the mOor.
"Since you are so kind and true, rise up, my girl," he cried.
It is your own loyal Dennis now standing by your side.
To-morrow we'll get married and live happy on the shore,
For bells will ring and for joy we'll sing, and I'll go to sea no
more."
If

This broadside baUad is No. 66 in Mackenzie ('I Janie on the Moor"). See
Sharp, Folk Songs from Somersd, No. 106, v, 4-6.

BALLADS A D SEA SONGS

9
RILEY TO AMERIKY
R<corded by Jane QuaeUnbusb, from the singing of John Henry
Gueunua, B&lT'd Harbour, 1928.
1

As I roved out one evening down by a riverside,

I heard a maid complaining great, and the tears stood in her eyes.
"This is a dark and stormy night," these words I heard her say.
"My love is on the raging sea, bound for Ameriky."

HJohn Q/Riley is my true love's name; his age is scarce sixteen;

He are so smart a young man as ever my two eyes seen.
My father he has riches great, and Riley he is poor;

And because I love a fisherman, he could Dot me endure.

3

"My mama takes me by the hand, these very words to say:

'If you're fond of Riley, press on hb company,
For your father swears his life be'li take, so shun his company.' JJ

"Mama dear, don't he severe. Where will I send my love?

My heart lies in his bosom as constant as a dove."
"0 daughter dear, I'm Dot severe. Here is a thousand pound.
Send Riley to Ameriky and purchase there some ground."

Soon as she got the money, tn Riley she did run:

"This very night to take your life my father charged his gun.
Here's a thousand pounds in gold my mama sent to you i
So sail off to Ameriky and I will follow ynu,"

6 Soon as he got the money, next day be sailed away,

And when he pUl his foot on board, these words I heard him say:
"Here is a token of true love, we break it now in two.
I have your heart, you have my ring) until I find out you."
As six weeks gone a-past, she was walking down the quay)
When Riley he came hack again and stole his love away.
The ship got wrecked, all hands was lost, her father grieved sore
To see Riley in her arms a-floating near the shore.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
8 And in her bosom a note was found, and that was wrote with
blood:
It was her cruel father who thougbt to shoot her love.
So let it be a warning to all young maidens gay,
And never let the lad they love sail to Ameriky.
"Riley to Ameriky" is Mackenzie's No. 43 (" Reilly's Farewell "). He gives ample
references for England, Ireland, and America. Cf. Brady MS., Harvard College
Library, pp. 33-34. A common title is UReilly (O'Reilly) the Fishennan":
see Wehman's PQCkel~Sist Irish Song Book, NO.3, pp. 32-33; The Shamw
O'Brien Songster, copyright 1866, pp. 23-25. See also Thomas, pp. 167-169.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

WILLY REILLY
Sung by Patrick. Lahey. Fortune Harbour, 19'9.
Withspiril

"0,

..

rise

Up.

mean

leave

this

for

coun - let

dwel-ling house,

way goes Wil - Iy

'-.-:

'\\11 ly

his

Rei! - ly,

......

to

..

hOll - ses

-.........::

Reil Iy,

go

To

and

.....

d.nd

+ ....

and

come a -long with

with

leave

my

lree

and

you

......

fa -

thee's

land." And

-#.

--

-~.

his dear Col leen BaWD.

"0, rise up, Willy Reilly, and come along with me.
I mean for to go with you and leave this counteree,
To leave my father's dwelling house, his houses and flee land."
And away goes Willy Reilly, and his dear Colleen Bawn.

They go hy hills and mountains and hy yon lonesome plain,

It's over shady groves and valleys all dangers to refrain;
But her father followed after with a well-trained hand,
And taken was poor Reilly and his dear Colleen Bawn.

3 It's home then she was taken and in her closet hound;
Poor Reilly all in Sligo jail lay on the tony ground,
Till at the har of justice before the judge he'd stand
For nothing hut the stealing of his deal Colleen Bawn.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
4

Now in the cold, cold irons his hands and feet are bound;
"I'm handcuffed like a murderer and tied unto the ground,

But all the toil and slavery I'm willing for to stand,
Still hoping to be succored by my dear Colleen Bawn."
The jailer's son to Reilly goes and thus to him did say:
"0, get up, 'Willy Reilly; you must appear this day,
For great quire FoiUard's anger you never can withstand;

I'm afraid you'll suITer sorely for your dear Colleen Bawn. 1I
6 Now Willy's dressed from top to toe all in a suit of green;
His hair hangs o'er his shoulders most glorious to be seen.
He's tall and straight and comely as any could be found;
lIe's fit for Foillard's daughter, were she heiress to a croWD.
"This is the news, young Reilly, last night that I did hear,That lady's oath will bang you, or else will set you clear."
"If that be so," said Reilly, Hthat pleasure I will stand,

Still hoping to be succored hy my dear Colleen Bawn."

8 The judge he said, "This lady heing in her tender youth,
If Reilly has deluded her, she will declare the truth."
Then like a moving beauty bright before him she did stand:
"You're welcome there, my heart's delight, my dear Colleen
Bawn."
9

HO gentlemen," Squire Foillard said, "with pity look on me.

This villain came amongst us to disgrace our family,

And by his base contrivance this villainy was planned.
If I don't get satisfaction, I'll quit this Irish land."
10

The lady with a tear began and thus replied she:

HThe fault is none of Rei1ly's; the blame lies all on me.

r forced him for to leave his place and come along with mej
r loved him out of measure, which WTought our destiny."
II

Out spoke the nohle Fox, at the tahle he stood by:

HO gentlemen, consider on this e."ttremity,To hang a man for love is murder you may see j
So spare the life of Reilly, let him leave the counteree."

12

Good my lord, he stole from her her diamonds and her rings,
Gold watch and silver buckle and many precious things,

\Vhicb cost me in bright guineas more than five hundred pounds.

I'll have the liIe of ReiUy should I lose ten thousand pounds."

186
13

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

"Good my lord, I gave them him as tokens of true love,
And when we are a-parting I will them all remove.
If you've got them, Reilly, pray send them home to me."
"I will, my loving lady, with many thanks to thee."

14 "There is a ring among them I allow yourself to wear

With thirty locket diamonds well set in silver fair,

And as a true-love token, wear it on your right hand,
That you'll think on my poor broken beart wben you're in a
foreign land."
IS

Then out spake noble Fox, "You may Jet the prisoner go.
The lady's oath has cleared him, as the jury all may know.
She has released her own true love, she has renewed his name;
May her honor bright gain high estate and her offspring rise to
fame."

This well-known Irish song is very popular in America. For a list of American
texts and other references, see Cox, No. 101. Add O'Conor, p. 86; Songs o/Our
Land (Boston, Donahue), pp. Il4-11Sj Campbell and Sharp, No. 104; Delaney's Iris" Song Book, NO.3, p. I2j Brady MS., Harvard College Library,
pp. 144-148; Thomas, pp. 166-167. This air is reminiscent of the Scottish
"Gilderoy" (see p. 129).

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

92
MARY NEAL
Sung by John Powers, Fortune Harbour, f929.
I

I am a bold undaunted youthj my name is John McCann;

I'm a native of sweet Donegal, convenient to Strawva1.
For stealing of an heiress I lie in \Vexford jail,
And her father swears he'1I bang me for his daughter, Mary Neal

The reason for my trial my love sent word to me:

uFear not my falber's anger, for I will set you free."
The day then of my trial great nobles they came there
To hear my sentence fast and false witness on me swear.

A well-known voice soon reached my ear; she come and d.id not
fail;
She freed me from my exilej she's my love, Mary Neal.

4 On a primrose bank we both sat down aod there disoowsed

awhile.
She says then, ulf you'll come with me, I'll free you from exile.
The Maid of Eri,J is ready from Derry to set sail,
And off to Quebec we will go/' says m.y love, Mary Neal.

Five hundred pounds in ready gold from her father she did steal j
For the second time I did elope with my love, Mary .,.eal.

0, when we got to Derry, 'twas near the break of day,

And unto Captain \Vilson our passage money paid.
We joined our hands in wedlock's bands before we did set sail
And oII to Quebec we did go, and my love, Mary Neal.
\Ve were not long a-sailing when a storm did arise,
The wind it blew ... and dismal looked the sky.
Our ship against the sandbanks struck as she drifted with the
gale;
There were forty-one washed overboard and with them Mary
Neal.

188

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

Her yellow locks I spied as she drifted ,,;th the gale,

And I plunged my body in the deep and I saved my Mary Neal.
9

Her father now wrote me a letter and sent it under hand;

He says if I'll come back again he'll give me hall his land.
I sent him back an answer. and that's without a fail,
Saying, "Five pounds a week I do receive with your daughter,
Mary. 'eal."

Sung to the tune of "Willy Reilly."

A (l1lgmento( "Mary Keal" (from Dorset) is printed in tbeJotlrnalojlhe FDlkSOJIt StXidy. m, 121)-130. For full text see broadsides (fl. Such, No. 313.
uCbanning Ma.ry Xeal"j BebbingtoD. ~lancbester). ~lackenzie, No. 39, prints
a very similar song ("My Father's Servant Boy"l, in which, however. the story
is told from the girl's point of view instead of the man's.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

93
THE SQUIRE'

YOUNG DAUGHTER

(~1ARy

ACKLIN)

Sung by ?lrs. Edward Gillespie. Fortune Harbour, 1929.

by her sisler.

-----y and the ~I

un - to

ten - der young Iov - ersdra" near,

}"OU

1"11

mmt-ing,
I

Words sent

un - fold,

nol

It's in grief

know-ing

my

truth

am left

lrimds from

my

here

la-

foes.

Ye tender young lover.; draw near me, the truth unto you I'll
unfold,
In grief I am left here bewailing, no pleasure I have to hehold.
Six months in a sad situatioD,bound down in strong irons it's true,
For nothing hut loving a fair one, I'm afraid I must hid her
adieu.

o It was down in yon shady hower where the flower.; were hlooming
and gay,
Where I first beheld this young charmer, she appeared like the
fair queen of May.
When Venus discovered her beauty, false Cupid she cUd me deny,
And it's now for the squire's young daughter, in the cold chains
of prison I lie.
J

\Vhen her father found out we were courting, it was down in close

ambush he lay,
Conveying to me and my darling to hear the last words we would
say.
A gold ring she slipped on my finger, saying, .. Jimmy, keep me
in your mind t
And if you ever roam from this island, I hope you won't leave me
behind."

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

4 We kissed and shook hands and we parted, intending to meet the
next noon;

But hard was the heart of her father, he locked my love close in
ber room.
A guard of police he got ready, and he swore to the ring on my
hand,
And it's now for the squire's young daughter I'm afraid a hard
trial we'll stand.

But Mary was constant and loyal and straight to my trial did
come.
My parents were weeping and wailing; she said, .. I'll prntect
your dear son. l1

She appeared like some lady of honor and the best of gold robes
she did wear,
Which caused the chief judge to gaze on her and all the grand
jury to stare.
6 She kindly saluted the noble, these words unto him she did say:
.. Supposing you loved a young female, why should you be
banished away?
It's seven long years we been courting, and I own that I gave him
my heart,
And nothing hut death can release me, if me and my Jimmy must
part."
And now for to make a conclusion, and thanks to the Great
Power above,
Likewise to you, Mary Glendon, for you are the armor of love,

Your father thought to transport me far away from my own

counteree,

But Mary released me from bondage and set me at sweet liberty.

8 And now we are married and happy and fortune on both sides lay
downj

Our parents are likewise contented, although they caused me

many a frown.

We live on the hanks of the Slaney, in love and sweet unity,

Now think on the squire's young daughter, how faithful she
proved unto me.
A Canadian version.IThe Squire's Young Daughter," is printed in the JouNUJl
ojlht Folk.softg Socidy, vm, 2I~:l20. The beroine is called 'I Mary Edlin,"

and she and her husband ndwell in the banks of the Shannon. II A version from
County Down, Ireland (uMary Acklin") is quoted. The words as sung by
Mrs. Gillespie differ slightly from those sent hy her sister later.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

94HENRY CONNORS
Sung by :Mrs. Edward Gillespie, Fortune Harbour, 1929I

hfy name is Henry Connors rom the green Castle Dawson;

That village I'll never set my eyes on agaio.

I'm transported for life in the height of vigor,

Which causes my parents to blush for my shame.

\Vhat was the crime against me was imputed?
Was it for robbery or base perjury,
Or for sheddiog the blood of some dear fellow-creature,
That bard-bearted villain swore against her and me?
No, it was the father of her I love dearer,
The hard-hearted villain came against her and me,

Afraid a young servant migbt gain such a treasure,

Because I was poor and below ber degree.
4 Her kind-bearted mother she brougbt us together,
While Mary's old father sat listening close by;
She made us agree to get married in private,

And pass over to Scotland our fortune to try.

The keys of bis treasure be placed uDder my pillow
And a well banknote in my purse be coocealed,
And that very night I intended to gaio her,
The house was surrounded and I marched to jail.
6

Orders arrived, b'ys, we're all bound for Queenstown,

Orders arrived, b'ys, and we must away,

And when we are leaving the jail in the morning,

Our friends will be there for to see us away.
o Mary my darling, you're the cause of all my trouble.
How happy I'd be if you were my wife!
But your hard-hearted father has forced us asunder
And sent your poor Connors as convict for life.

8 I will live happy and still will live happier;

I'll drag my chains after me through heat and through cold.
I woo'tlive with that dark cloud of guilt upoo my conscience,
Like that base prosecutor my liberty sold.
"Henry Connors" is very like "Erin's Lovely Home" (hiackenz.ie, No. 38;
O'CoDOr, Irish C~Al-Yt's. p. 25).

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

95
THE BONNY YOUNG IRISH BOY
Sung by Clifford Toms, La Scie, 1929.
W:l'

--=I~ f ttt=I r
~
o

s-"';nging rhythm
-#-

first

.J

1;&~ +3
3 J P+t
b'y,

c D !Ill~\; J'I

came a - court- ed

He called me all

by

bon - ny young I - rish

J' J 1t=R=E1+j+LJg
of

his

jew - els, his sweet-heart, pride and

t$4d41444Xli1Fr=rP
fy.

'Twas in

fair Dub - e - lin

ci - ty,

J' J J

place so old and

fEj jlJ1V i1 r c DJIJ'JJ'l)IW

fair, Wherefirst I camea-court-ed by a bon.nyyoungI-rish

b~.

0 first I came a-courted by a bonny young lrisb b'y,

He called me all of his jewels, his sweetheart, pride and j'y.
'Twas in fair Dubelin city, a place so old and fair,
Where first I came a-courted by a bonny young Irish b'y.

His cheeks was of the roses and his hair was of the brown,
And hung in ringlets heavy to his shoulders hanging down,
His teeth was of an ivory white, his eyes was black as sloes,
He'd charm the heart of any fair girl, no matter where he goes.

3 Long time I keeped him company and hoped to be his bride,

But now he is gone and leaved me, across the ocean wide.
Sure I'm afraid some other fair maid, my true love will enj'y,
While I'm left here lamenting my bonny young Irish b'y.
4 So I'll pack all my clothing and in search of him I'll go,
I'll cross the wide, wide ocean through stormy winds and snow.
And never shall I marry until the day I die,
So I'll die broken-hearted for my bonny young Irish b'y.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
[A stanza telling how she went to Boston, feU sick, and died.]

o comrades, I am dying!

There's one more word I'll say,-

Take my bones to Ireland and bury them in the clay,

And write upon my tombstone to children passing by,

That I died broken-hearted for my bonny young Irish b'y.

A confused version of "The Bonny Irish Boy" (Journal oj the Folk-Song 50,iety, I, 17). See broadsides (Ryle & Co., Bloomsbury; Bebbington, Manchester;
Such's Song Mart, NO.5); Kidson, Traditional Tunes, pp. 152-153.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

'94

96
YANKEE LAND
Sung by Patrick Lahey. Fortune Harbour, 1929.
I} b

Sluwly with luling and ruhato

AEoUAN MODE

Ff"b2aj~IJJJ J'~
In Bel-fast town down in theNorth,Wherel first felt

J' I l l ; J J

pres - sing dart, There was

a young man fair and gay I

T .j

-0.'

Jt@jfl; 1 1 J' IJ
sail -or

ft

I@"

b
b

Jove a

J' :

from a

dis - tant port.

+---+- jq: ----

z.:=dd

J J'

sr'

"1 @:b
He spoke to

In Belfast town down in the North,

Where I first felt love a pressing dart,
There was a young man fair and gay,
A sailor from a distant port.
He spoke to me so fluently,
His beguiling tongue had lured me on i
He said he'd take me far away

0, I been young, he quickly won

To his happy home in Yankee Land.

My guileless heart that knew no fear.
I gave consent to his request
And vowed with him my fate would share.
r said with him r would elope
And leave my friends and take his hand
And sail o'er billows wide and deep
To his happy home in Yankee Land.

me

rrl
.../

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

'95

97
RICH AMERIKAY
Words from Joseph Shea, tune from Patrick Lewis, Fleur de Lys, 1929.

J1j J
Ye

ft'", ).

roy - ing blades of

Ie - e - land Who guards the an - cient

frtEG r'

$1

i it L\

rf

That do

J I

>I.

GITtO r'
roved

k 1

for

r,
tion

19'"&

r-

On

charm- ing

Ur -

3S

Quay,

J 1J 1 J J 1J. J' J J 1ill

this pier in steam-ers bright Bound for Am - er - i-kay.

Ye roving blades of Ireland

Who guards the ancient plain,
Ye gentle and you muses
That do resort the plains,
I roved for recreation
On charming Uras Quay,
When as this pier in steamers bright

Bound for Amerikay.

2

When

'Twas there I spied a rich lady

Embracing a farmer's son,
Saying, HIf you go and leave me,
Forever I'm undone.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

How can it be, my heart's delight,
That you are going away
Unto that rude savage counteree
Called Wild Amerikay?
3 "How can you praise that savage shore?
It's more than I can bear.
You know I've slighted lords and dukes
All for your sake, my dear.
Some thousands on you I'll bestow,
If you consent to stay.
What curious dreams annoy your brain
At Wild Amerikay!"
4

"Erin's mantle once was decked

With charming rich array,
But now it's an isle of poverty,
All drooping in decay.
We have no trade for our gallant ships;
I long to see the day
That we might gain the golden shores
Called Rich Amerikay."

5 "Now cruel misfortunes, pity me,

On yesterday did smile,
To take the only lad I love
That did my heart beguile,
To follow you through woods and groves,
Where savages wild do play.
Angels bright protect my love
Gone to Amerikay.
6 "My curses attend that savage shore.
0, bow came this to be?
That I should leave my parents
Who reared me tenderly?
For to follow you through woods and groves
Where savages wild do play,
That would devour both you and I
Gone to Amerikay."

OF

EWFO

:ULAND

Then he kissed her ruby lips

And embraced her tenderly,
"Will you come with me, my heart's delight
To the land of liberty?
When daylight peeps
No tribute we need not pay;
So forbear to spill those precious tears,
Come to Amerikay."
8

((Young man, your moving eloquence,

Y au 've surely won my heart,
And it's rom myoid aged parents
I'm 'willing now to part."
He took his bonny lass on board
By the dawning of the day,
Crowded all sails to reach the shores
Of Rich Amerikay.

197

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

98
THE LAMENT
(THE !luSH GIRL)
Sung by Tom White, Sandy Cove, 1929I

Ah, red and rosy was her cheeks

And coal-black. was her hair,
And costly were the robes of silk
My Irish girl did wear.

Her boots were made of the Spanish leather

And spangled down so fine;
Her waist it been so slender,I thought that she were mine.

As I were borned of a noble blood

And she of a low degree,
If you'd hear my lamentation
You will come and pity me.

4 My love she won't come near me

For to hear the moan I make,
Neither would she pity me,
And my poor heart would break.
I wish I were in Dublin,
All seated on the ground,
With a bottle of whiskey in my hand
And on my knee a lass.
6

We will call for liquor merrily

And pay before we'll go.
Let the liveliest lad drink the strongest glass,
Let the wind blow higb or low.
I wish I were in a counteree,
In a country of my own,
Where I had sweethearts plenty,
Flying bold on every side.
Her fortune needn't daunt me,
For I'm young and the world is wide.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

199

I wish I were a linnet small,

I would sing till the morning clear;
I will set and sing l\;th you. my love,
For once I Joved you dear.
This song is a version of "The Irish Girl"; Journal oflheFoJk-SrJnf Socidy, I, 25.
IC)O"'"191; Gardiner. Folk-S'11fgs from Hampshire (Sharp, Folk-Son&s of EII,kJrtd,
Book llI), pp. 6-8; O'Conol,/rish Com-AI-Ye's, p. IS; The "Arlful Joe!'
Son,skr, COpyrighll871, p. 27j Deloney's Irish Song Book No. L, p. 24; broadsides (Such's Song Mart, No. 28; Ryle & Co.; E. Hodges; Forth. PoddingtODj
W. Stephenson, Gateshead); Sh"'P MS. (AppaJaclllan), Harvud CoUege Library, pp. 845, 940 (Virginia, North Carolina); Shearin and Combs, p. 14;
Belden's Missouri collection.

200

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

99
THE POOR FISHERMAN'S BOY
Sung by Patrick Lahey, Fortune Harbour, 19'9.
I

Down in the Lowlands a poor boy did wander,

Down in the Lowlands a poor boy did roam;
By his friends he was neglected, and he looked so dejected,
Poor little fisherman's boy, so far away from home.

uDark was the night, and how loudly roared the thunder,
The lightning's quick flash and the angry billow's moan!
That mast I clasped round to reach my native ground i
In the deep I left my father so far away from home.

flI waited on the beach till around me rolled the water;

I waited on the beach, but alas, no father camel
So now I am a stranger, exposed to every danger,"
Cried the poor little fisherman's boy so far away from home.
4 A kind lady heard him and opened her window,
And into the house she had him to come,
And tears fell from her eyes as she heard the mournful cries
Of the poor little fisherman's boy so far away from home.
She begged of her father to find him employment;
She begged of her father no more to let him roam.
The father said, lfDon't grieve theej the b'y shall never leave
thee.
Poor b'y, I will relieve thee, so far away from home."
Now many years he labored to please his noble master,
Now many years he labored until a man became,
And now he tells each stranger of the hardships and the danger
Of the poor little fisherman's boy so far away from home.
For this song see JOlmUJt, xxxv, 366-367 (with references to broadsides and
songbooks)j The IINow I Lay Me Down to Sleep" So,~gstcr, copyright 1871, p.
57j Journal oftlte Folk-SongSociety, Vill, 38-39; Word-LoTe, TI, 18; Dobie, Texas
and SouJlrwestern lATe, p. 30. Ct. "The Soldier's Poor Little Boy" (Cox, No. 73,
with references); Shoemaker, p. 74; No. 100, below.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

100

THE LITTLE SOLDIER'S BOY

Reciled by Mrs. Sarah Way. Flower's eo\-c, 1929.
I

The snowflakes fast were falling,

And the "'intry winds did roar,

When a little hoy hall frozen

Came to a lady's door.
2

He saw ber at the \\indow;

It filled his heart with joy.

"Have pity on me, ladYi

I'm a soldier's homeless boy.

Hl-fy mother died last summerj
M.y father's in the war;
He has fought in many a battle,
All covered with wounds and scars.

4 .. My picture in his knapsack

He carries it with joy.
Have pity on me, lady;
I'm a soldier's homeless boy.
liThe snowflakes fast are falling,

I'll perish here this mom.

Do shelter me, dear lady,
From this cold, wintry storm.

6 UDeny me not, I pray thee.

'TwouJd rob thee of all joy
To find me in the morning
A frozen little boy.u
The lady left her window
And opened wide her door:
"Step in, thou little stranger,
And never wander more.

201

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

202

My own dear boy has fallen,

My only pride and joy;
My heart goes out in pity
To a soldier's homeless boy."

This is a version of liThe Soldier's Homeless Boy," a song ascribed in a Philadelphia broadside U. B. Johnson) to Charles Bender. For texts and references
see Cox, No. 73; see also Sharp MS. (Appalachian Songs), Harvard CoUege Library, p. 819 (Virginia). It may have been modelled, as Cox suggests, on
"The Poor Fisherman's BoyJl (No. 99). It was popular during the Civil War.
Mrs. Way thought it refened to the World War, in spite of the word

"k..napsa.ck."!

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

23

101

LOVELY ANNIE
Sung by Daniel Endacot 4 Sally's Cove,

1921.

Dear love, here 's a letter,

It's the last one I'll send,

For my love's correspondings
Will soon be at end.
Cho,us: Will soon be at end, will soon be at end;
For my love's correspondings will soon be at cnd.

0, the last time we parted,

We parted in pain,
For we were in hopes, love,

Of meeting again.
Cho,us: O( meeting again, o( meeting again,
For we was in hopes, love, of meeting again.
My knapsack I drew
For to gain the more time,
And to write you a letter,
Lovely Annie o( mine.
Chorus as usu.al.
4 I my pen I did drop
Before I was through,
And the unfinished letter
Unto Annie pursued.
And now I am lying
All on the damp ground,
And my head lays a (oun tain
With the blood streaming down.
6 0, she opened the letter;
She read it with grief;
To her bed she was taking
Till she (ound her reliel.
0, this couple did die,
And they both died in love,
And they dwells each together
In a bright home above.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

102

I WAS JUST SIXTEEN

Sung by George Roberts, Sally's Cove. 192t.
I

I was just I sixteen when I first started roving

Through the sinIul wotld spread far and neat;
MyoId aged parent was bitterly weeping,

And she hitterly weeped as I knelt hy her side.

2

But all her grieving and lamenting'

Could not advise me to stay at home;

So I leIt contented, and they lamented,

And she hitterly wept as I strayed away.
I sailed away to a furthering climate,
Till a pretty girl come in my view;
And when love takes place in young men's attention,
They do not mind what hardship' they go through.

4 On January the fifth, our ship being loaded,

Our ship being loaded and ready for to sail,
We shook hands and parted and kissed each other,
Saying,

Let no other sailor

be at your command.1I

lIlt was not no sailor, nor any tailor,

Will have the privilege my heart to gain,

So' good-hye darling, may God be with you!
And write to me a'er the Spanish :M:ain."
This young girl she been sad and lonely,
Sad and lonely and discontented,
Thinking allan the VQV,"'S she broke,
But not one word to her missis spoke.
But the missis knew there was something grieving,
That very night as she went to her bed;

Early next morning she went to her chamber

And she found this young girl lying dead.
I

Vat.: "scarce."

Va.r.: "her lamenting."

Var.: "hardships."

4 Va.r.: "Soil'."
, Vat.: "a.lying."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
8

25

Beneath her pillow she found a letter;

It would grieve your very heart so sore;
It was wet with tears and dark with kisses,
Saying, Good-bye, darling, forevermore. '1
(f

A few days later, at this young girl's funeral,

There came a letter addressed in her name,
Saying, "Love, your Willie feU from the yardarm reefing,
While sailing over the Spanish Main."
10

This young girl she died broken-hearted,

And a sailor fell from his work at sea,
But their secret they will have to answer
Before their Maker on the Judgment Day.

I recorded the words but not the tune in SaUy's Cove in 1921. Then we heard it
from Pat Lahey in 19:29- His words correspond with George Roberts's, except
in the few places indicated in the footnotes. The correspondence is startling,
since neither of the two singers has ever crossed the island to the other's shore,
and eight years elapsed between the records. The airs also are very similar,
though they may differ in the last phrase. President Morgan of Antioch College
procured a copy of this song on the Bay of Islands in 19:24 (Kittredge MSS.,
XVI, 176-177).

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

206

13
SU AN STRAYED THE BRINY BEACH

Recited by Mrs. Walters, Sr., Rocky Harbour.

1920.

usan strayed the briny beach along the Sligo shore; .

She oftentimes thought on a boy her fond heart did adore,
And often in sad accident her tongue pronounced his name;

To love a simple sailor she thought it was no shame.

2

Her father was a nobleman and born of high degree,

While she was kind, both heart and mind, both beautiful to see,
And many a lord of high renown on her shed many a tear;
She rejected them all, for her fond heart was true to her Willy
dear.

3 "How steppy are our landsmen's wives while in their houses

W'arm,

Their husbands dear forever near, and sheltered from all harm.
But still I'll never change my mind, although my Willy be
Just guarded by a single plank from a dark eternity."
4 The following day the storm came on, the tempest waves rolled
high,
And Susan strayed the briny beach, the tear starts to her eye,
Saying, HTempest waves, why have room on which my Willy
have crossed,

Dashed high upon some wicked wave, or else entirely lost."

As she turned for to leave the beach, one loving look she gave;

She thought that she saw something black a-floating on the wave;
With onc quick look she knew it was a sailor's blue he wore,
Wben a monstrous wave which did him dash the sailor on the
shore.
6 With more than woman's strength she drew the lifeless corpse
up high
And laid him out all on the beach, a spot where all was dry;
Stood gazing on the body, which was all bruised and tore,
Till something told her troubled mind she'd seen that face before.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

27

As she turned for to go away, some morc help for to bring,

It was on his fingers she beheld a dazzling diamond ring.
With one quick look she knew it was the ring her Willy wore;

She had placed all on his finger the last parting on the shore.
S She clasped her gold watch to his mouth to catch a sign of
breath;
His color was not changed one bit, his eyes was closed in death;
His manly neck it was unstripped, his skin it was right fair,
And streaks of seaweed tangled aU in his dark brown hair.
Come all you loyal lovers, come view a solemn sightj
'Tis twelve young sailors dressed in blue, and twelve young maids
in while,
Just like an early blossom cut down in early bloom J
Fond hearts have caused each other to be buried in one tomb.

Air from James Day, Fortune Harbour, 1929.

I

As I roved out onc evening, alone by Sligo shore,

I often thought upon the lass my fond heart did adore.

Rich lords and noblemen of fame for ber shed many a tear;

She rejected them all from her fond love unto her Willy dear.
2

Susy walked the sandy beach; she dreaded the ocean wide;
She thought she saw there was something dark a-Boating with
the tide.
She watched it till nigh the shore at length it did begin.
It appeared more clearer than of old -

the form of a man.

This resembles "rn London Fair City" (Journal of tJu; Folk-Song Socicly) WI
258-260), of which "The Drowned Lover" is a version (Sharp and :Marsonl
Folk Songs from Somcrsd. No. 32, n, J 2-13; Sharpl FolkSongs from Various
CounJin, pp. 22-24; Sharp, Om Hllndred EngJisll FoJksollgs, No. 37); d.
Kidson, TradiJio'ltJl Tunes, pp. Il2-Il3; Ordl pp. 332-333

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

208

104-

THE QUAY OF DUNDOCKEN

Sung by Patrick Mooney of Placentia Bay, Fortune Harbour, 1929.

2.

From the quay

sail

of Dun dock en

a - way, She's bound down

I&~ J ;
Wed - nes

to

!J4J L. .

i'

day

set

sail,

where the steam pack - eta

Liv - c.r -

P 5 I r

And

the

: 1 ;. I J.9 ;' I!
.J
they were

pool,

night

com - ing

mer

ry

and chr - CuI

and

gay.

One dark stormy night in the month of November

I heard a poor widow sit do'WTI to deplore,
And many another got cause to remember
That dark stormy night upon Galloway shore.

From the quay of Dundocken where the steam packets sail away,
She's bound down to Liverpool, on Wednesday set sailJ
And the night coming on and it looked dark and dreary,
The charge they were merry and cheerful and gay.

The night coming on and no sheller to fly to,

The ship hy the hillows was tossed to and fro;
Our captain cried, H?\-le b'ys, 0, look out for the lighthouse;
If not, this night we'll all suffer sore."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
4

29

0, some on their bending knees, imploring for mercy,

\Vhiles more they lay senseless, between hopes and despair;
The gale been still increased, and the sailors loudly swearing,
They never saw no danger, but they mocked at our prayer.
\Ve launched OUf two longboats upon the briny ocean,
And in one of them went my \Villie and I,
And before they reached the shore, both of them were overwhelmed,
And into the deep forty bodies do lie.

My \Villie stood by mc, to guard and protect mc,

\Vhile he landed me safe on the Isle of Man shore,
But my spirited WiJUe to the wreck he returned
To save bis own father; he returned to me no more.
I must beg for my bread among hard-hearted strangers;
No home and no husband remain with me.
I must beg for my bread among hard-hearted strangers.
Kind heaven look down on my orphans and me!

For another copy see "The Isle of Man Shore," which is otwell known in the
Maine woods" (Bulklilf oj 1M Folk-Song SidyDj IIuNortlrcasl, TO. IJpp. 8-Q).

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

210

15
THE BANKS OF THE DIZZY
Sung by Tom White, Sandy Cove, 1929.

In

modtraJ~ trwu- ,keju/ly

~J ; J
2.

II

ev - er

ficldsthey are

~Et=E1
Where my

1& F
pla.y.

j Ij

in

blos-som and

""e

Jove and

I ....

J I J.
will

D J Ij
on

the

in May,Whenthe

the mea-dowsthey o..re

r f r r I iFf

:;J
1 J - Ilone
All

iJd r r r r Ir W

I gels mar-ried, I'm surc 'twill be

banks

ga.y,

of - teo sport and

J J
of

,
i

the

14=JI
Diz - zy.

Come all ye young fellows that means to earn your bread,

Like a rattliog young feUow he will take you into hed.'

And he 'U roU her all night in his anns.
If ever I gets married, I'm sure 'twill be in May,
When the fields they are in hlossom and the meadows they are
gay,
Where my true love and I will often sport and play,
AU alone on the banks of the Dizzy.'

3 Some of the people do seem for to say,

0, I am a rake or some runaway,
For they rather have their daughter lying in the cold clay
Than a rake like me sbould enjoy her.
The third phrase of the air is omitted in this stanza.
Double the last two lines of each slanZa.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
4 0, I am just a lad that will soon let them know
I will call for what I like and I'll pay what lowe,
For I do not care one farthing whether satisfied or
I am sure I will wed with my darling.

21I

nOj

I'll gently toil my arms around her slender waist;

Her lily-white bosom I gently will embrace;
Her red and rosy lips one thousand time I kissed,
All alone on the banks of the Dizzy.

6 I sat myself down on a mossy green bank;

My lovely jewel she sat by my side,
When I slewed myseU round, with a smile then she cried,
tr]ohnny Byrnes, 0 my darling, don't leave me."

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

212

106

THE OULD PLAID SHAWL

Sung by Mrs. Pa.trick Lahey, Fortune Harbour, I92Q.
I

Not Car from old Kinvara, in the merry month of May,

When the birds were singing cheerily, there came across the way,
As if from out the sky above an angel chanced to fall,

A little Irish cailin in an ould plaid shawl.

2

She tripped along right joyously, a basket on her arm;

And oh! her face, and, oh! her grace, the soul of a saint would
charm;
Her brown hair rippled o'er her brow, but the greatest charm of

all
Was her modest blue eyes beaming 'neath her ould plaid shawl.
I courteously saluted her - " God save you, miss," says I;
"God save you, kindly sir," said she, and shyly passed me by;
Off went my heart along with her, a captive in her thrall,

Imprisoned in the corner of her ould plaid shawl.

4 Enchanted with her beauty rare, I gazed in pure delight,
Till round an angle of the road she vanished from my sight;
But ever since I sighing say, as I that scene recall,

"The grace of G<>d about you and your ould plaid shawL"
l've heard of highway robbers that, with pistols and with knives,

Make trembling travellers yield them up their money or their

lives,

But think of me that handed out my heart and head and all
To a simple little cailin in an ould plaid shawl!
6

Oh! graceful the mantillas that the signorinas wear,

And tasteful are the bonnets of Parisian ladies fair,
But never cloak, or hood, or robe, in palace, bow'r, or hall,

Clad half such witching beauty as that ould plaid shawl.

Oh! some men sigh for riches, and some men live for fame,
And some in history's pages hope to win a glorious name;
My aims are not ambitious, and my wishes are but small-

You might wrap them all together in an ould plaid shawl.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
8

21 3

I '0 seek her all through Galway, and 1'0 seek her all through
Clare,
I'll search for tale or tidings of my traveller everywhere,
For peace of mind I'll never find until my own I call
That little Irish cailin in her ouJd plaid shawl.

W. A. Fisher prints the song in his Sixty Irish Songs (ca. 1915]1 pp. 128-133,
set to an "Irish air." The author is Francis A. Faby. See his fruh Songs a,ul
Poems, Dublin, 1887. pp. 3Q-40. the text here reprinted. The song is included in
If'thmon's PocktiSis.e Irish Song Book, No. I, pp. 7o-'lI. For a comic song entitled "Old Plaid Shawl" see O'Conor, p. 84; Miss Maggu Cline's Cotmallye
So,tgskr, p. 3; Delaney's Irish Song Book No.2, p. 15-

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

17
THE PRENTICE BOY

Sung by Tom White, Sandy Cove, 1929.

I

I had not sailed a voyage but one

When I fell in love with you, bonny Annie.
'Twas straight unto my boatswain goes
To tell him my sad grief and woe.
To love a girl as I love my life,
What would I give if she were my wife!
To love a girl as I love my life
What would I give if she were my wife!

He says, "Begone, 0 you silly boy,

To love a girl that you'll never enjoy,
For she has sweethearts all on the sea,
Saying they'll be married before you're free."
It makes no matter, love, I'll go and try,
And perhaps my love she might fancy I,
And perhaps my love she might fancy I,
Although I be bu t her prentice b'y.

3 I bought tine rings and I bought fine clothes,

I took it not in vain unto my love;
All for to take it she was no ways shy,
To roll in the arms of her prentice b'y.
Our ship she is loaded and bound for sea;
We have a jovial ship's company,
For to a dance, love, we'll all agree,
I'll ask my love would she dance with me.
4 "0, yes, I'll dance, love, and go with thee,
And wait on you, love, till you are free.
I think it is a pleasure, likewise a j'y,
To roll in the arms of a prentice b'y." 1
t

Double the last four lines.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

21 5

BoNNY ANNE
Recorded by Jane Quackenbush from the singing of John Henry
Gueunuex, Barr'd Harbour, 1928.
I

I have not sailed a voyage but one

When I feU in love with bonny Anne.
Straight unto my bo'sun go
To tell him my sad grief and woe.
That I loved the girl as I loved my life.
What would I give if she were my wife!
II Begone, begone, you silly boy,
To love a girl that you'll never enjoy.
She got sweethearts allan the sea,
And she'll be married before you're free."

HIt makes no matter, I'll go and try,

And perhaps my love she might fancy I,
And perhaps my love she might fancy I
Although I be but a prentice b'y."

I bought fine rings and fine ribbons too,

And to convey it to my love,
And for to take it she was no ways shy,
Although I be but a prentice b'y.
Our ship is loaded and bound for sea;
We had a jovial ship's company;
To have a dance we did agree,
I asked my love would she dance with me.

ItO, yes, my love, I'll dance with you,

And wait on you till you are free.
I think it is a pleasure, likewise a joy,
To roll in the arms of a prentice boy."

The people of Barr'd Harbour and Sandy Cove are related and have the same
social centre, Flower's Cove; 50 I think Mr. White and Mr. Gueunuex learned
this song from the same source.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

216

108

BUTTER AND CHEESE A D ALL

Sung by Daniel Endacott, Sally's Cove,
I

1920.

I'm very sorry, gentlemen, you 've called on me to sing,

For I can well assure you, I can't do ilDY such thing;

But since that you have called on me, I'll try what I can do,
And when I come to the chorus, I hope you'll join me too,
Clwms: I hope you'll join me too.
2

I came a-courting of a cook, I'll tell you the reason why,

For when that I was hungry, she did my wants supply,
For when that I was hungry she did give me relief,
She fed me on the best of pies, and plenty of fat beef,
Clwrus: and plenty of fat beef.

3 She invited me to supper; I quickly gave consent,

And supper being over) to the master's house we went;
Tbe master he been not at home, and there I sat at ease,
One pocket she stuffed with butter, the other she stuffed with
cheese,
Clwrus: the other she stuffed with cheese.

4 Supper being over and I could eat no more,

And then to my surprise, the skipper knocked at the door.
And where to go and bide myself I'm sure I did not know;
It was up into the chimney-top as black as any crow,
Clwrus: as black as any crow.

The skipper he came tumbling up to find the roguery out;

He poured cold water down the chimney to drive a poor fellow
out;

A rousing fire he then put on that almost burned my knees,

And melted all my butter and likewise toasted my cheese,
Chorus: and likewise toasted my cheese.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
Out in the street I had to go, my shameful face to show,
My hutter aod cheese all melted, aod I as black as a crow.
The dogs begin to bark at me, the women begin to bawl,
The boys looked out of the window-top, saying uThere goes
butter aod cheese aod all.

ChtJrus: There goes butter and cheese and all,"

This song may be found, for aample. in Oarm Fa'llKcu's Paw Pry Stmlskr
(Phibdelpbia, A. Winch, >pyrig!>t (869), pp. 43-44.

218

BAU.ADS AND SEA SONGS

19
THE IRISH tAN'S SHA TTY
Recited by Mrs. Hayes and John Maher, S. S. Sagona, 1929.

Did you ever hear of an Irishman's shanty,

Where water was scarce and whiskey was plenty?
A two-legged stool and a table to match
A stick in lbe door instead of a latch?
This is all we heard of the graphic song printed in many songbooks. See "The
lrishman's Shanty A Favorite Comic Song with Imitations As sung by Mat
Peel" (sheet music, copyright 1859); Songs oj Ihe Flon:nus, copyright 1860, pp.
1.4-15; Gus Shaw's Comic Sonl and RuiJalUnI Book, copyright 1860, pp. 3l)-40;
The ShiUing Song Book No. J, copyright ]864. p. 87i TI,e Sham"J O'Brien Songsler, copyright 1866, pp. 22-23 ("Words by Geo. W. Osborn of Michigan");
To"y Paslor's Comic SOllg Book, pp. 15-16 (also ascribed to Osborn); Paddy's
Dum Dime SOILg Book, pp. 17-19 (also ascribed to Osborn); Jennie Hughes'
II Rose of Erin" Sougsler , p. 163; The Mac Dill Darrel Dime Melodist No. I, pp.
28-29; Tire" RovitJ' Irish Boy" Songster, p. 54; Scalrlau b- Cronin's Irishmen to
t/u Fr01Il SOtJgskr, pp. 18-19i Q'CoDor, pp. 118-119; Dekmey's Irish Song Book
No. I, p. 9; Wehman Bros.' Pockd-Siu Irish Song Book No. I, pp. 123-124.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

110

PADDY BACKWARD
Written out by Joan Enda.cou, Sally's Cove, 192[.
I

As I was a-riding down market-to\\'D fair.

All onto a horse-back, a bonny gray mare,
Short tail and long mane with a hump on her back
And not a hair on her but what was jet black.

As I was a-riding down fair James's Park,

In the middle of the noon one night it was dark,
'Twas there I met a man, be was dressed aU in green,
Black pants and white waistcoat was plain to be seen.

3 My horse standing still throwed me out in the ditch,

Which dirted my body and it my shirt,'
I jumped on my saddle, I stood up so gay,
And on my ten toes I went jogging away.
I sat myself down on a hot frozen stone,
Ten thousand all round me and I all alone,
I says, UPretty Polly, do you fancy me now,
The same as the day I come from the plow?"

A two-legged drummer came beating his drum,

With sillers in his pocket before me he run,
I turned my back to him and stared him in the face,
And asked him the way, as I dido't know the place.
6 It's true to old England I will carry my hide,
My ship is on dry land with a fair wind and tide,
But when I get back to the place I was born,
Again I will buy you a silver cup made out of cow's hom.
'I'hisis & variant of "Paddy's Ramble to London," a favorite slip and broadside
song of the first half of the nineteenth century. A Pitts slip is in the Harvard
CoUege LIbrary (2524'.7, p. 7).
1

If

Daubed my body and bruised my shirt I (Pitts slip).

220

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

III

THE LADY URI

Communicated by Mrs. Maude Roberts Simmonds, Glenburnie,
Bonne Bay, 1930.
I

I once knew a couple of old Ireland's shore,

Where billows more loudly than cannons do roar,
For one was a lassie so brisk and so fair,

And the other a sailor persuading his dear.

2

Says the lady to the sailor, "It's you I adore.

If you goes away and leaves me, it will grieve my heart sore."
lilt's for your old father, he's displeased with me,
And if I should tarry, sure ruined I'd he."
Straightway to her father she instantly goes,

She bought a ship from him, paid down like a mao,

But little he knew 'twas his own daughter's hand.

4 Straightway to her true love she instaotly goes:

"Make haste and get ready; there's no time to lose.
Cast loose your maintopsails, bright colors let fly,
And sail over the ocean in the Lady Uri. JJ
But when her old father he came to understand,
Great vengeance he swore on that clever young man;
He purchased a vessel, bright colors let fIy,

And sailed over the ocean for the Lady Uri.

6 We scarce had been sailing for eight or ten days,
When wind from the northward sprang up a fine breeze;
We saw that ship sailing, which filled us with JOYi
We hailed her aod found 'twas the Lady Uri.
'Twas broadside to broadside for an hour or two,

Where the shots they fell thicker thao hailstones do fly;

Stepping up to his true love, standing by her side:
lIFor the sake of you l Annie, I'll conquer or die."

OF EWFO

DLA.'<D

8 We anchored in Dublin in the town of great fame;

We let go our ancbors, we anchored in haste.
Her old father was taken a prisoner secure.
What danger and hardship this poor girl she endured!
9 We anchored in Dublin in the town of great fame,
These two noble vessels I will mention their name,
For one was the Au.lrail, the other Uri.
Here's adieu to brave Annie and her young sailor b'y.

221

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

112

THE SHIRT AND THE APRO

Sung by Abraham White, Sandy Cove, 1929.

0 ye landsmen and ye seamen bold, come listen to my song;

I'll tell you of a trick. was played once on me before it's long.
The other day I came from sea, a fair one I did meetj
She kindly asked me to a dance; 'twas up on Peter Street.
2

I says, u:M:y handsome fair onc, I can't dance very well;

For Wigginstown this night I'm bound where all my friends do

dwell;
The other day I came from sea; I have saved fifty pounds,

And my parents they're expecting me, to-night at Wigginstown."

"If you can't dance well," she said, "sure you can have a treat.
You can have a glass of brandy hot, or something for to eat.
At ten o'clock this "cry night I will meet you at the train;
If you'll consent, you'll give a call, when you comes in town
again."
So, finding her so friendly, sure I called on a car
To take us to the barroom; the distance was not far.
The girls were on the other side those words to me did say,
fl Ah, you poor old chap, you '11 lose your cap, if you do go that
way."

And when we reached the barroom, the liquor did come in,
And every man drinked round the room, the dancing it begin.
Me and my love danced round the room, danced to a meny
tone;
So she says, "My dear, we']] repair to a chamber all alone."

6 After dancing had heen over, straight to hed then we did go,
U's hut little did I ever think she proved my overthrow;
My watch and clothes and fifty pound my ducksie with it 1Ied,
And she leaved me here, poor Jack alone, stark naked on the
bed.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

223

\Vben I came to my senses, 'twas nothing could I spy,

But a woman's shirt and apron upon the bed clid liej
Wringing my hands, tearing my hair, crying, "What shall I

do?"
aying, "Fare you well, sweet Wigginstown, Pll never more
see youl"
8

After everything been silent at the hour of twelve o'clock,

I put on my shirt and apron and I heeled it for the dock.
The sailors saw me come on board those words to me did say,
"Ah, you poor old chap, you 've lost your cap, since you've
been gone that way."
llIs this the new spring fashion, Jack, the ladies got on shore?
Where is the shop that's selling it, or is there any more?1I
uO Jack, my OOy/' the captain cry, "I thought you for \Vigginstown!

I know you could buy a better suit than that for fifty pounds."
10

"Sure I would buy a better suit if I only got the chance.

I meet a girl on Peter Street and she asked me to a dance;
I danced my wboledestruction, I got stripped from head to feet;
So I take my oath I'll go no more to a dance on Peter Street."

11

Come all ye landsmen and ye seamen bold, a warning take by

me;
Be sure and choose good company when you gets on a spree;
Beware of a dance on Peter Street, you'll surely rue the day;
With a woman's shirt and apron they'll fit you out {or sea.

BALLADS A D SEA SONGS

THE GENTLE BOY

Sung by Stephen White, Sandy Cove, 1929.
I

As I roved out one evening

As I sat down to rest,
I saw a boy scarce four years old
Sleep on his mother's hreast.
"'Twas once I had a father dear
Who did us fond embrace,
U be was here to wipe tbe tears
Roll down my mother's face.

H'Twas once I had a father dear;

He took us both to see

With colors red and white sails spread
O'er the deep blue summer's sea.
That time I do remember well,
As he sailed from the strand,
His last word was "God bless you both
Till I returns to land."
3 "Now aU the ships are coming in,
Dear mother, tell me why,
Why don't my father's ship return?
Why do you weep and cry?
Now aU the ships are coming in,
Part in their wives safe home;
Why don't my father's ship return,
And why don't he come home?"
"Your father's ship, my genUe boy,
Long time have crossed the main,
Till a hurricane the ocean swept;
You '11 never see him again.
Your father's ship, my genUe boy,
Are dashed beneath the wave,
Where loudly roared cannon;
Ships sail over your father's grave.

OF NEWFOUNDLWO
"There is a burden from him brought,
I fold it to my side.
There is a home for )"ou and I
That lives beyond the skies.
There is a burden from him brought
I fold it to my side."
They cast their eyes to heaven,
And son and mother died.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

THE FREEMASON'S SO G
Sung by Michael Byrnes, Fortune Harbour, 1929.
When a man was initiated into the Freemasons, be was supposed to ride a goat
for five hundred miles. they said.
I

In the year of eighteen hundred and three

I took a notion a Freemason to be.

:2

Now they have mounted me up on his back,

They opened their windows and bade me begone,

Our goats being ready ...

They opened their windows and away we did go,

Over hills and high mountains, and where I don't know.
Now when be have run his long tedious race,
Then we returned to the very same place,

Where DaJly-down-ducky hegan for tn sing,

"Here's a health to Freemasons, likewise to our king."

4 Now when I got there, I knocked at the door;

A man they called Simon stood on the floor,
He bid me step in and not to be shy,
And sit on a chair that was standing thereby.
When I got there I said, U\Velcomc, brother."
They threw me a sign, I threw them another.
They threw me a sign from the nose to the chin,
Saying, "This is our sign since Freemasons begin.1I
This is a variant of "The Freemason,1I popular on the stage in the sixties. See
The Frisky Irish Songsltr (New York, copyrighll862), pp. 30-31.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

'1.'2.7

115
THE SPIRIT SONG OF GEORGE'S BANK
('I'm;

GHOSTLY SEAMEN)

Words from Daniel Endacott, Sally's Cove, 1920. Air (8) from James
Cillespie, Fortune Harbour, 1929.
~

I"mOtknuetime

J 1;;gggg=tU441~~1

You can smile if you'vc a

We've been

mm

and

yc:&r.

for

fif -

ty

ta

in

the

mind to, but perho.ps you'Ulend an

boys

I've

to

- 8eth - er

sailed

sum - m'ry pleas - ant

well

up _ on

the

days

And

You can smile jf you Ire a mind to, boys, I hope you 'll lend an
ear;
We're men and boys together well on for fifty year,
Out upon the ocean, on pleasant summer days,
And when the stormy winds of winter and the bowling seas do

J've been out in early seasons, most every where to pay:

I've been tossed about on George's, I've been fishing in the bay,
I've been out in different vessels from Western Banks to Grand,
I've been in herring vessels that sailed down to Newfoundland.

rage.

228

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

0, not to brag myself, but I'll say nothing else but this,I'm not much easier frightened than most of other men,
For I've seen storms, I'll you tell, when things looked rather
blue,
But someways I was lucky, and I always did get through.
This night as I am telling you, we were off shore a waYSj
I never will forget it, in all my mortal days;
I've been in our grand dog-watch, I felt a shivering dread
Came over me, as if I beard one calling from the dead.
'Twas over our rail they climbed, all silent one by one,
A dozen dripping sailors, - just wait till I am doneTheir face shone pale with seaweed, shone ghostly through the
night,
And each man took his station as if he had a right.
We moved along together there till land did heave in sight,
And rather than I should say so, the lighthouse shoned his light,
And then those ghostly seamen moved to the rail again
And vanished in a moment before the sun of men.
We sailed right in the harbor, and every mother's son
Will tell you the same story, the same as I have done;
The trip before the other, we was on George's Bank then,
Ran down another old vessel, and sank. her and all her men.

I think it was the same pore fellows - may God now rest their
souls! That our old craft Iunned over that night on Georges Shoals.
So now I've told my story, to you I will confess,
I have believed in spirits from that day unto this.
This song is so reminiscent of HThe Rime of the Ancient Mariner" that I have
been interested in comparing the two, and I wrote a short article for The
JOltrtlOJ of American Folk-Lore about my findings. I quote part of it:
HMany songs are composed in Newfoundland about life while out fishing on
the Banks. Some record the loss of ships and men, but others are jolly, highspirited accounts of the fun and routine aboard a 'Banker' on a fishing v'yge to
the Grand Banks, American Banks, etc. George's Bank, however, seems to have
a sinister reputation. Every song about it that I have heard has been the record
of a sea-tragedy. and 'The Spirit Song' is no exception.
HIt was composed within the lifetime of men now about fifty or sixty years
old. Mr. James Gillespie of Fortune Harbour, from whose singing the tune was

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
recorded, said he had seen the ship which the gbostl)' stamen boarded.. 'They
ho....e the sails off her and let her rot at the..-barf in t. Joho's Harbour, because
they could ne....er get a crew to sign OD bu, after the trip when the spirits was
seen.'
"The song. you~. is .. genuine product of folk-belid. I doubt very much if
its compostt was influenced by 'The Ancient ),Iariner.'
''In the manuscript notes wbkh Wordsworth left. .,.e find th.is record:
,." . and in the course of this walk wa5 pb.nned the poem of "The Ancient
Mariner," founded OD a dream, as .It. Coleridge said, of his frknd, Mr. Cruikshank. )(uch the greatest part of the poem was Mr. Coleridge's invention, but
certain parts I suggested. ... (the k.illlng of the albatross). .. I also suggested the navigation of lhe ship by tbe dead men.' Wordsworth was familiar
with ballads and folk-lore ... so the suggestion to Coleridge mentioned above
may have come from his knowledge of a tradition or folk-song of I the navigation
of the ship by dead men.'"

23

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

116
THE BANKS OF NEWFOUNDLAND
By permission of Gerald S. Doyle, St. John's.
I

Ye rambling boys of pleasure, I have you to beware,

If ever you sail in a Yankee shipl no dungaree jumpers wear,
But have your monkey jacket always at your command,
For beware of the cold nor'westers on the Banks of Newfoundland.

We had one Lynch from Ballana Hinch, Jim Doyle and Michael
Moore,
In the year of '56, when our sailors suffered sore;
They pawned their clothes in Liverpool and sold them out of
hand,
Not thinking of the cold nor'westers on the Banks of Newfoundland.
Our captain been a Yankee, our first mate was the same,
OUf second mate an Irishman, from Limerick town he came,
And all the rest were Irish boys, they came from Paddy's land,
Only four or five of our seamen belonged to Newfoundland.
We had one female kind on board, Bridget Walsh it was her
name;
To her I promised marriage, on me she had a claim i
She tore her flannel petticoat to make mittens for my hands,
Saying, III can't see my true love freeze on the Banks of Newfoundland."
One night as I lay on my bed, I had a pleasant dream;
I dreamt I was in Liverpool way down in city field,
With a comely maid beside me, and a jug of beer in hand,
But I woke quite broken-hearted on the Banks of Newfoundland.
But now, my boys, we have fair winds, and our ship she's bound
togo;
So see boys scattered around the decks, shovelling off the snow;
We'll wash her down and scrub her round with holystone and
sand,
And we'll hid adieu to the Virgin Rocks on the Banks of Newfoundland.

OF NEWFOUNDLA.ND

23'

The steamboat she's ahead of us; for New York we are bound,
Where the boarding masters and runners, they all come flocking
round;
Some they go to sprees and balls, and more drive out so grand,
But little they know of the nor'west wind on the Banks of Newfoundland.
Refrain: So, boys, fill your glasses, and merrily they'll go round,
And we'll drink a health to the captain and the girls of Liverpool
town.
Mackenzie found this song in Nova ScoLia (No. 161). We continually beard
fragments of it, but never beard the tune. Colcord, RoU and Go, pp. 92-93, has
this song with an Irish com'-al-ye modal tune. See also Ec.kstorm and Smyth,
pp. 220-221; Joun/al oj lhe Folk-Son,SDcidy, v, 300-301; vm, gcrlOO. A song
in the Brady M . (Harvard College Library) miJ:es our "Banks of Ne'A"found
land" with another song of the same title (for which see Eck.storm and Smyth,
pp. 21941:10). As Mackenzie remarks, the song shoW's a. remarkable likeness to
"Van Dieman's Land" (his No. 122), which bas long been popular in Great
Britain and Ireland.

'23'2

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

II?

SO G ABOUT THE FISH! G BAt"KS

Sung by Isaac Churchill, Twillingate,
I

I9~9.

When we anchored on the Banks, our trials first come on.

We had to chance our dories and choose our trawl likewise,
And if you chanced to speak a word, 'twould be, uDamn and
bugg your eyesl U

'Twas early in the morning, so loud our cook did bawl:

Get Qut, my bullies, eat your breakfast, now go haul your
trawl. 11
We scarce had time to light our pipes, 'fore over our dories goes.
You 've got to make three trips a day no matter how it blows.
(I

Skipper Isaac Churchill explained that the men fished from dories, away from
the schooner. They bad to draw lots as to which dory they were to go in all the
voyage, and as to which of the six seats in the dory they should OCcupY. and it
was no use to 'gommer' (grumble); for whatever they drew, they had to abide
by the lot. For a complete text see Eck.storm and Smyth, pp. 326-328 ("The
&sinn Liglu"). With the second stanza d. Rick.aby, p_ 71, stanza 7-

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

233

IIB
THE l\lAID OF NE\'\'FOUNDLAND
Sung by John Noftall, Fleur de Lys, 19'9.

I~F i

DoaJAN MODr:

SlmclY"Illil}, rubaJo

DI)
Ye

J J J IJ J J 1!-;D

mu - ses nine, with

J I J &J
vite

To

.iog

in

me com-bine,Your aid

praise of

h"

her

I ~

IO\'e

Your

aid

J J J 1J 1 J

...

maid-en fair.

in-

do

1"111
love,

My

g;1
To

; I
I

" J. II J

D1. 1 1

v I

sing

do

in

praise

de - mand.

of

She's

ii; Ir,; J 1 1 1j41

~
'I
.-&-o
do de-clare, And she dwells in New-found-land.

Ye muses nine, with me combine;

Your aid I do invite
To sing in praise of her I love,
My own sweetheart's delight;
To sing in praise of her I love
Your aid I do demand.
She's a maiden fair, I do declare,
And she dwells in 'ewfoundland.

The wild rose on its native tarn

Spreads fragrance o'er the gale;
The modest lily sweetly shines
In every silent vale;

2.34

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

The violet on its liquid bed
Do silently expand;
But I know a f1ow'r exceeds them all
Which dwells in ewfoundland.
3 The daisy decks the sleeping green;
The primrose loves the shade;
The bluebell hangs its drooping head
In many a silent vale;
A modest emblem of herself
That sweet and fragrant band.
I shaJI repine till thou art mine,
Dear maid of -ewfoundland.
4 The diamond sparkles bright and clear
In many a queenly crown;
The virgin pearl beneath the sea
Lies many a fathom down;
The diamond, pearl, and peerless gem
Of Africa's sunny strand
Cannot compare, I do declare,
With the maid of ewfoundland.
'Twas on the coast of Labrador
Where first I saw this maid;
On Battle's cold and stormy shore,
Where first my heart had strayed.
0, were I rich or powerful,
Her hand I would demand.
0, I would die without one sigh
For the maid of Newfoundland.
6 I've seen the maids of many lands
On many a foreign shore,
The French, the Greek, the Portiguee,
Likewise the swarthy Moor,
Chinee, Malay, and Austrian maids,
And the girls of Hindustan,But for beauty rare, they can't compare
With the maid of Newfoundland.

OF

EWFOUNDLAND

235

Diana was a virgin fair)

Beauteous and comely, too,
But not onc safe, kind sentiment
Of woman's worth she knew.

Her heart was cold, she did disdain

Sweet Hymen's guiding hand.
0, love's Dian', I wish thou wert mine,

My dear maid of Newfoundland.

I wish that I could speak her name,
But prudence seals my tongue.
It's enough to know she's beautiful,
Both handsome, fair, and young.
Her winning smiles and artless wiles
Would soon your love command.
0, yes, I ween, she's nature's queen,

Dear maid of Newfoundland.

9 Her beauteous love both day and night
I shall attempt to win,
And I shall pray that she admit
To Cupid's wiles give in;
But should I fall to win her love,
I \\ill seek some foreign strand,
Where I will part with a hroken heart
From the maid of Newfoundland.
This sincere song is an "old favorite" with Newfoundland men. Mr. No(tall
said that the maid of Newfoundland came from Conception Bay, aod that the

composer was Captain DUel of St. John's a "foreign~goin'" captain, who otlght
to know what he's talking about when he mentions aU the other girls of the

world I

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

WADHA 1'S SO G
By permission of Gerald S. Doyle, St. John's.
I

From Bonavista Cape to the Stinking Isles

The course is north full forty miles,
When you must swing away northeast
Till Cape Freel's Gull Island bears nor'-nor'west.

:2

Then nor'-nor'west thirty-three miles,

Three leagues off shore lies Wadham's Isles,

Where of a rock you must take care;
Two miles sou'-sou'east from Isles it hear.
3 Then nor'west by west twelve miles or more,
There lies Round Head on Fogo's shore,
But nor'-nor'west seven or eight miles

Lies a sunken rock near Barrack's Isles.

4 Therefore, my friend, I would you advise,
Since all these rocks in danger lies,
That you may never amongst them fall,
But keep your luff and weather them all.
As you draw near to the Fogo land,
You'll have fifteen fathoms in the sounding sand,From fifteen to eighteen, never more,

And that you'll have close to the shore.

6 When you abreast of Round Head be,
Then Joe Batt's Point you'll plainly see;
To starboard then three or four miles,
You'll see a parcel of damned rugged isles.
When Joe Batt's Arm you are abreast,
Fogo Harbour hears due west,
But unkind fortune unIuck laid
A sunken rock right in the trade,

8 So norJ-nor'west you are to steer,

Till Brimstone Head doth appear,
Which over Pilley's Point you'll see,
That of that danger you are free.

OF

EWFOUNDLAND

<l37

9 And as you draw 'within a mile,

You'll see a house on Symes's Isle;
The mouth of the channel is not very wide,
But the deepest water is on the larboard side.
10

\Vben within Syme's Point you have shot,

Then three fathoms of water you have gotj
Port bard your hellum and take care,
In the mid-channel for to steer.

II

\\'ben Pilley's Point you are abreast,

Starboard haul, and steer sou'-sou'west
Till Pilley's Point covers yme's Stage;
Then you are clear, I will engage.

U'W&dham's Song' 'KaS called after the author who wrote it in the year 1756.
Thousands of fishermen may remember bearing short snatches of the song, but
it is doubtful if a dozen. ew1oundlanders can recite it as it is [above]. It YoU
placed on record in the Admiralty Court in London, after it was first composed,
and was considered the best coasting guide for that part of our island home to
which it refers.... (G. S. Do)"lc.)
As the S. S. Clytk gingerly entered the narrow, rocky channel of Fogo Harbour, Captain Butcher recited to us the part of "Wadham's Song" describing
tbis entrance. and we could see that it is still an accurate pilot's guide.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

120

THE LOW-BACKED CAR

Sung by John NoftaIl, Fleur de Lys, lQ29.
I

It's onward we travel through life's weary journey;

OUf thoughts oft returns to the bright days of yore,
To the scenes of our childhood, to scenes ne'er forgotten,
To scenes that, alas, we may never see more.

0 dear Terra Nova, beloved are thy hillsides,

Tbe borne of the alder, the birch and the fir;

Fond recollections thy name brings unto me,

I sigb for my borne near the old low-hacked car.'

'Twas there that my young footsteps in infancy wandered,
My cap was the elsin? my coat plainly made;
And often at cricket I played on the Barrens;
But since, I am told, it was called the Parade.
4

'Twas there loft witnessed the volunteers' muster,

As with the bold major they oft played at war;

And at night time, quite weary, but pleased, I returned
To seek my dear home near the old low-hacked car.
I oftentimes rambled near Waterford River,

That flows througb the beautiful vale of Kilbride,

And at the steady 3 I oftentimes angled
And landed the trout by that fair riverside.
Again at the golds,' with my basket quite heavy,
I spent happy hours with no troubles to mar,
And listening to many a trout-catcher's story,

Was told by some friend at the old low-backed car.

The low-backed car marked a street in St. John's.
I The e1sinor cap was the common headgear of the Newfoundland boy. It is shaped
like a teamster's cap, with a strip around the bottom to protect the neck and ears.
I A "steady" is the quiet water between rapids in a river.
t I. e. "goals."
I

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

239

In dreams I'm oft standing at fair Quidi Vidi

And viewing the races 1 on that lovely lake.
The Hawk and the Nath'e, I see them before mc,

And many a prize in their day did they take.

The scenes made so lively by Bennett's sweet music,
Not a quiver of discord one's feelings to jar,
But alas, Terra Nova, your sons have departed

And left their old homes by the old low-backed car.

Alas, my dear country! the thought is a sad onc,
To think that your youths must forsake your fair shores,
To toil for a living from borne and among strangers,
Away from the land they may never see morc.
ro

0, soon may we see you arise from your strugglej

The day it will come though it now seems afar,
For every dark cloud has a bright silver lining,

And yet we'll be happy by the old low-backed car.

This is a song about a boy who grew up in St. Jobn's but was forced to leave
Newfoundland when economic conditions prevented him from getting a living

there.
1 Regatta Day, when these sailing races on Quidi Vidi Lake are held, is still a national holiday in Newfoundland.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

121

THE CROWD OF BOLD SHAREMEN

Sung by Gordon Willis, Fogo, :Manuel Roberts, Wesleyville, Thomas
Endacott, Sally's Cove, 19:29.

.. .

Briskly willr. mukm tK~,

ij": It Jl .:1 J'

l ;. J

It was ear ly

WPI C

in June, b'ys, when we sailed a - way,

C S

wind be - ing

I J'I i J' J J J' I

sou' - west

The

e Is J' i
we

ran

out

the

J' I
bay;

The

~li lC e gl=iJt J J@Ac esC I

Mor-ris be-ing live.ly and our b'ys too; We had

a young skip-per, like~

wise

young

crew, And

crowd

of

bold sha.re. men.

This is a very popular song about one of the chief industries of Newfoundlandthe codfishery. Many fishing schooners go down along the Labrador coast during the spring and summer, bringing back their cargo of dried and salted fish and
cod livers in the fall. Of the places mentioned in the song, Quirpon (pronounced
Carpoon) is on the KewfoundJand side of the Strait of Belle Isle, the others are
on the Labrador side.
Instead of wages, the owner of a schooner commonly gives each one of his
crew a certain share or fraction of the profits of the voyage, hence the term
"sharemen." These sharemen are usually young fellows trying to get enough
money together to buy Lheir own fishing outfits. The presence of so many crews
of this kind on the Labrador makes it a gay and lively place during the summer.
We saw their vigor and high spirits as they came out to the steamer in sturdy
motor boats to get their freight and packages from home, and to join in the general good time for which the arrival of the steamer was the signal.
The fishing is done at whatever hours of the day or night are best for wind,
weather, and fish. From midnight on is usually the favored time, and in the
almost continuous daylight of the Xorthern summer. they venture out on the
bold. heaving waters.

OF

EWFOUNDLAND

When they gel the motor boats and dories full to the gunwales of striped
brownish cod, they come alongside the schooner and take up regular stations at
the cleaning table. One heaves the fish to the schooner's deck with a two-tined
pitchfork; one sUta the fish do\\"n the belly; the "header" takes 08 the beads and
throws the liver in a bucket; another removes the orner viscera; another washes
the fish in sea-water; others pack them away, skinside up, in dry salt, in the
hold. The cod livers, of course, arc a valuable part of the cargo. They may be
slored in huge hogsheads until they can be sold to ODC of the refining factories.
The livers are usually divided among the sharemen at once, but the skipper in
this song would DOl do 50, and thus uouble arose.
I

It was early in June, b'ys, when we sailed away,

The wind being sou 'west as we ran out the bay;
The A[o"is being lively and our boys too; I
'We had a young skipper, likewise a young crew,
And a crowd of bold sharemen.

:2

We ran down off Conche, b'ys, and there met the icej
Eight days we were jammed, and it did not look nice,
For we were bound fishing in the Strait of Belle Isle,
Our skipper wouldn't give us one stain of our ile,2
And a crowd of bold sharemen.
We says to our skipper, when we got in Quirpon:
"There's fourteen great puncheons you'lI never get full,
For we mean to throw all the livers away:'
And these are the words our young skipper did say:
"l can go home again, b'ys.u

4 IIYou can go home again, sir, but that's not the thing,
For seven of we sharemen you brought down this spring;
You said you 're going fishing in the Strait of Belle Isle,
And if you don't do so, we'll put you on trial,"
Said the crowd of bold sharemen.
On the twenty-sixth of June we put out of Quirpon,
The j{o,ris been lively, for the berths we were bound;
Our skipper carried on to his mainsail too long,
When rounding Cape Char-les, sling goes our main boom,
And a crowd of bold sharemen.
1

Var : "as we bid adieu."

Var. "on~ dam sop of i1~."

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

We gathered in

OUT

mainsail and then bore away

Up in L'Anse au Loup where we anchored that day.

The day being Sunday, we all stayed below,
And the wind from the westward a gale it did hlow,
And a crowd of bold sharemen.
We went aD shore Monday to get some pitchpinej
To fL, up our main boom we all felt inclined.
It And now," says our skipper/ !tyou'd better start in,
For when the fog lightens well try ber again. u
And a crowd of bold sharemen.

8 The fog it did lighten, and out we did go,

And away for Shecateka the Morris she flew,
And SatuTday night when our anchors went down,
It was l\1onday morning our prime berths 2 we found,

0, a crowd of bold sharemen.

9 As we started fishing in Shecateka,
We says to our header, "The livers must go."
And then says our skipper, u\hat's you intend to do?"
And the answer we gave him, I think I've told you.
And a crowd of bold sharemen.
10

There's seven bold sharemen, but one he backed out;

To pick out the livers he thought it was right.

Of course we all told him to use his own mind,
To pick out the liver if he felt inclined,
And 'tis six bully sharemen.
II

Our skipper spoke up in this kind of way:

"If you dumps the liver, for it you must pay."
We told him right there we was well aware
And before we'd pick. liver,' we'd serve our two year,

And 'tis six bully sharemen.

12

1
I
J

We says to our skipper, UWbat do you expect?

For we to go fulling all the puncheons on deck,
Go home in the fall, lift them out on your wharf,
And you then tell we sharemen we can't claim our part?"
And 'tis six hully sharemen.

Var.: "Up speab our young skipper."

A <lprime berth" is & good location for fishing.
Val.: <lAnd before ~'d pay for liver."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
13

"You've struck. the wrong crowd, sir, I'll tell you in time,
For we ain't going to do anything of the kind,
For we won't touch the liver, nor the puncheons at all,
And you 'll have to boist them yourself in the fall,"
Said the crowd of bold sharemen.

"The Crowd of Bold Sharemcn" is said to ba,,'c been composed about filtem
years ago by a group of young fellow'S from Little Bay Islands on the East
Coast, while they were baving "fisherman's holidays." i. e. were stonn-bound,
down on the French Shore (northern part of the East Coast).
The three young men, from three different sections of the island, sang substantiaUy t..he same words. I have indicated the variations.
The tune is evidently a relative of the English uVilikins and his Dinah," with
a refrain added. This air is used for many sets of words. There is a college
mathematics song to it in the Academy Stmg-Book, called, "Sing tangent, cotangent, co-secant, co-sine," and on p. 90 of Roll Qtld Go Joanna Colcord prints
a slower, simpler variant for her song, "The Dreadnought."

BALLADS AND SEA SO:-'GS

122

COME ALL YE JOLLY ICE-HUNTERS

By permission of Gerald S. Doyle,
I

1.

John's.

Come all ye jolly ice-hunters and listen to my song;

I hope I won't offend you; I don't mean to keep you long.

'Tis concerning an ice-hunter, from Tilton Harbour sailed away,

On the fourteenth day of March, eighteen hundred and thirtythree.
2

\Villiam Burke was our commander; the Do1tid O'Co,mell was

our good ship's name;
We had twenty-eight as smart a lads as ever crossed the main;
As off with flying colors to the northward we did steer,-

So mark what followed after, to you I will declare.

'Twas on the fourth of April, right well I mind the day,
About four o'clock. in the evening our towline gave away;

The wind came from the northwest and bitterly did blow;
Our captain cries, uStand by, my b'YSj out of the ice we'll have
to gol
4

"Stand by your topsail halIiards; stand by to let them go;

Be quick, I say, make no delay, your topsail clear also! J1

He watched his opportunity and soon he had her free,

Saying, II God bless the brave O'Connell! See how she stems the

seal"
At six o'clock. next morning we were a dreadful wreck;
Our topmast went overboard about three leet lrom the deck;
In this perilous condition lor two long days we lay;
So we lelt her to God's mercy, and to the raging sea.
We could not keep a light below, the seas ran mountains high,

And expecting every minute that we were doomed to die.

At eigbt o'clock next morning all hands were called on deck,
Some to rig up jury

masts~

and morc to clear the wreck..

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
Now in a few days after, assistance was at hand,
At six o'clock in the morning, the watch espied the landj
So now, thanks unto Providence, we're safe on shore at lastj
\Ve'l1 drink to one another and drown sorrow in the glass.
"This song was written in 1833- It is about the oldest song of a sealing nature
DOW in existence, and bas 'brought down the house' in the for'caslle of many a
sealer in the days of the Square Riggers." (G. S. Doyle.) For another sealers'
song see Eck.storm and Smyth, pp. 324-326.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

12 3

THE SEALI G CRUISE OF THE LONE FilER

Composed by the twenty-nine men of the crew of the Lone Flier,
March 10 to April 25, 1929.
Contributed by Herbert Watkins and Jack Sharp, Twillingatc, 1929_
Rccordtdb,E.B.G.
DoJUA.~ MODE

_ BriskI,
.

J J' J 1 iJ J J' IJ J

Come all

yc jol - Iy

doo't mean to

tiL]

of - fend you, and won't de - lay

:wti ds s ~

JJ

seal-men and lis - 1m to

$t&rt~

cd to

fit

our va - sci out be - fore

It

you long;

iI
I

H'S

J 1@#1

a-bout our seal - fig trip from Twill-in-gate to

all

'1.

my lOng;

St. John's.

We

we had signed on

Come all ye jolly seal-men and listen to my song;

I don't mean to offend you, and won't delay you long;
It's all about our sealing trip from Twillingate to St. John's.
We started to 6t our vessel out before we had signed on.

OUf ship was fitted very well, from a radio to a shovel.

Tbe only thing delayed our ship was a little engine trouble.
\Vhile taking in our ballast, some of us were drunk,
And more of us worked very hard, while the others lay in bunk.

It was on a Tuesday morning when our captain came from shop.

He said, "My boys, you'll now sign on, and then you'll get the

crop."

Our crop composed of boots and clothes, likewise a fork and pan.
If there's anything else you want, my boys, you must get it how
you can.
I

Crop, an advance o( $() made to each man when be signs on (or the cruise.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
4 Some of us took oilc1othes and one of us took a watch,
He bad it for to see the time, while he was at the swatch. l
We enjoyed ourselves there very well, with laughter and with
smile,
When Thomas White be went on deck, saying (IB'ys, here
comes the ile I "
Our captain's name was Solomon White, our chief mate was
John Oake,
OUf bo'sun was George Daley, a good man for a joke.
The tenth day of March, at dawn, from St. John's we set sail,
With steam and canvas for the north she covered her lee rail.
At four o'clock that evening we put her in the ice;
We had to get her back again, and that did not look nice.
On the following morning the captain called all hands;
He thought it a good suggestion to put us on the rams.
Northeast by east and east northeast her course we steered that
day,
Thinking to strike the whitecoats 2 off Bonavista Bay.
We motored in the daytime, and tied up in the night,
And on the following evening the Nascopee hove in sight.
8 The captain he did go on board and the navigator too,
Reports fifty seals was on board, and all well was her crew.
While listening to the radio l we received good news that night;
The captain said he had to go, if the ice was not too tight.
We motored until three o'clock, and then we struck the fat,
Herbert Legge picked up a seal, Claude Hawkins got a eat.s
All hands went out upon the ice, to do the best they can.
We picked up all our seals that day, but minus of one pan.
10

We killed most everything we saw, from a hood unto a h arpj 4

I don't just know who killed the most, but I think it was John
Sharp.
Two accidents befell our crew upon that very day,
Wben Robert Legge met a narrow escape about two miles away.

1 Swaich, open water between ice-floes.

I Whikcoals, baby seals, the prize catch.
Cal, a stillborn seal.
, Hood unto a harp, different species of seals.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

II

Peter Trooke, a smart young mao, was working in the hold

When a cask of oil fell through the hatch aod gave him a severe
blow.
Edmond Hines wasa smart young man and everything went well,

Until we donkeyed him five times and be got mad as hell.'

12

13

Our crew all numbered twenty-eight, with seven in the watch;

Seven rifles were used among these men, and they were all keen
shots;
Now these two men I must include, and that's the engineers,Herbert \Vatkins was our chief, Jack White when he's not there.
It was on a Tuesday morning we made another start,

When Gordon Dove cried from the barrel,

schooner Harp!"

jl

I can see the

We steered our course for Bonavist', the water calm and still,
But before dark we anchored in the place called Wesleyville.
14

Seldom-corne-by 2 was our next portj it was there we had to call;

The ice was cutting by the Cape, a knock-back for us all;
We slipped our lines in Seldom, for northward we were bound;
The ice was cutting by the Cape, and we could not get round.

15 And one thing then we did spy out, that our rudder was split in
two;
It was Walter Pilky found it out, a benefit to the crew.
And now to conclude and finish, I've one thing morc to say,It was about one mile (rom Seldom,' where we carried our
blades away.
16

On the twenty-fifth of April, as we were near our town,

Four rodneys 4 we then put out to tow her to the town.
Now our crew and captain must be mentioned, and I believe my

song is the longest of all,

And if you want a berth to the ice, please give Mr. Ashboume
a call.
1 Donlleyd. The Newfoundland game of "donkey" or "jackass" is played with
cards. The object is to get rid of your canis, and the man lert with a card at the end
is the donkey or jack.ass. On board the lAM Fliu, they trimmed up the "donkey"
with feather!.. etc. Wben the man "got mad," they tied his anns and legs and dumped
bim in his berth.
I Stldtna-Ctmte-By is 90 named because ships usually go in there. and do not oCleD
pass by without stopping.
I StJdom. I think this is an e1l'Or for" Twilliogate," for Herbert Watkins spoke of
being glad the mainsh&ft bad not broken off before they got near home.
t Rodney. a small, round bottomed rowboa.L

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
This very {rank and spirited modern song is a true product of group composition.
Herbert Watkins said that they all started to make up the song at the beginning
of the voyage, and some one added a line or two, or even a verse, whenever anything happened, so that the song is a sort of log of the cruise. When they got
back to Twillingate, they put it in the newspaper, the Twilli,tga.le SUfI,signing
it, "A Young Timer," and omitting as too personal the lines about "donkeying"
the man. They did not compose the tune, but chose the tune used for liThe
Lumber Camp Song" (No. 159).
The Lmle Flier is a motor-auxiliary schooner, owned by the Ashbournes, great
merchants of Twillingate. She is used for transporting trade-goods, for sealing
in the spring, and at other times, when stocked with goods and fitted with
shelves and counter like a floating department store, she is used for trading up
and down the East Coast.
For a thrilling account of the Newfoundland sealing industry, written by one
who knows, see liThe Sealing Saga of Newfoundland," by Captain Robert A.
Bartlett, in the National Geographu Magazim for July, 1929. I am indebted to
this article for most of the glossarial footnotes.
Compare this tune with its interesting variant as a dance tune (p. 378).

G.Y.M.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

CHANGE ISLANDS SONG

Sung by Wilfred Roffe, Change Islands, 1929.
l"moderatl$ti~

F@JFJlJ i J ]IJ J' J J'IJ ] pi Ft1if1

CbangeIs-landsis our

na~tivehome.a

1J]I; J'J
have no time

to

put

-./
place you allknow
well.

in rhyme the things I 'd

........

like to

-....:-tell.

Change Islands is our native home, a place you all know well.

I have no time to put in rhyme the things I'd like to tell.

It's all about a hearty crew who on one day in June,
Like aU the rest, they did their best, and sailed one afternoon.

They are tackling for the salmon, the herring, and the cod;
In boist'rous winds and weather, bake-apples was their job.
They talked about bay seals, the mushrat, and the bear,
And canning up the berries, the money they would share.
Before I go much farther, I'll speak about the trip,

And where they went and what they did from Change Islands
to the Creek.
The wind was ligbt across the bay, the ship did sail like smoke,
And on the following evening, we motored her in Craque.
St. Anthony was the next portj it was there we had to callj
It took a week to make the trip from Change Islands to Cape

Bauld.
Across the Strait they then did go and anchored safe and sound,

And their motor boat they then did get and took a look around.
No sign of salmon on that shore; discouraging was the neWSj
No pirate money could be found, and not a fish for brewis. 1
1

B,ewi.s pronounced" bruise."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
10

They talked about the foxes and what they thought was best,
And if they could get the salmon, they would leave out all tbe rest.

II

It was down the shore they then did go, and blacker was the
news;
July was fast approaching, no time to pick and choose.

l'

They searched for seals in Makeses Bay, but nothing could be

found;
The more they searched, the less they got j no use to go farther
down.

13

In searching for the salmon, no time left for delay,

They turned around upon their tracks and tried in Lewis Bay.

14 A lot of men lived in that place had nets out in galore;

They could not see there what to do, nor room for any more.

IS

The weather still got hotter, plenty nippers, flies and stout; I
A decision they arrived at and a cod-trap was put out.

16 The sigo of fish got better, they thought it would be thick,

And they'd get it a gxeat deal quicker, if they anchored in the
Creek.
17 It was on a Monday morning, the sea and fog quite thick,
\Vith motor boat and canvas, they got her in the Creek.
18

~was there they spent the summer, as you may understand;

They got three cases of berries, minus of one can.

'9 They had a patent sealer, driven by the second hand;

Torreville turned the handle; 'twas he who spoiled the can.
20

There's one thing more I 'd like to tell,-that 's if I 'm allowed,The schooner's name was Neta C.j now listen for her crowd.

2I

Thomas Hines the captain, Walter the second hand;

Also three more before the mast; I 'll name them if I can.

22

Arthur was the captain's son, Raymond was 'Valter's b'y;

The other one you ought to know, you'll guess him if you try.

This humorous account of a cruise of adventurers was composed by the participants in 1926, Wilfred Hoffe said. The tune bears some resemblance to that of
uThe Pretty Fair Maid with a Tail" (No. 64).
I lINippc:n, 8ies, and stout" means mosquitos, black flies, and a IOrt of horsefly
"hich can give a wicked bite-lbe usual annoyances of inland Newfoundland.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

12

JACK WAS EV'RY INCH A SAILOR

Sung by Patrick Lewis, Fleur de LysJ 1929.
'"

Recorded by E. B. G.

1&1 1. JI; 1 1 I; 1 t4J2J J' l J. J'I

Now, 'twas twen-ty - five or thir-ty years since Jack

19 ;' 1 J' i

t :

J'

came in - to I.his world of

I@
.-- 1 t, El

born on board his

rust saw the lightjHe

i I) J' i 3' J. }}: I

woe One dark and slOrm-y night; He was

, Li I. J' i -J' i '.jiJ

oJ:

fa- thee's ship as

she was

1y - ing

to 'Bout

EE;

,
~; i J'J' J' l111tJIJIJIJ
twen - 1y - Jive or

thir - ty miles south-ea.st

CHORe'S

'bb

Jack was ev-'ry inch a

jack was ev-'ry incb a

J I J V t J' J'

$iiiI - or,

$=tIiJ'
J
'. /1t1-J

of Bac -

at -

hao.

...

llM

Five and lWc.n-ty years a

whal - er;

J 3'7'11
. 3 =t IjI
- I' i J.

sail - or, He was born up-on the

bright~ue sea.

Now, 'twas twenty-five or thirty years since Jack first saw the
light;
He came into this world of woe one dazk and stormy night.
He was horn on hoazd his father's ship, as she was lying to
'Bout twenty-five or thirty miles southeast of BacaJhao.

Clwms:
Jack was ev'ry inch a sailor,
Five and twenty years a whaler;
Jack. was ev'ry inch a sailor,
He was horn upon the bright blue sea.

OF NEWFOU DLAND
2

~53

'When Jack grew up to be a man, he went to the Labrador;

He fished in Indian Harbour, where his father fished before;
On his returning in the fog, he met a heavy gaJe,
And Jack was swept into the sea and swallowed by a whale.
The whale went straight for BaJlins Bay about ninety knots
an hour,
And ev'ry time he'd blow a spray he'd send it in a shower.
"O, now," says Jack unto himself, III must see what be's
about."
He caught the whale aU hy the tail and turned him inside out.

This is one of the songs v.;th the Jonah motif; see "Paddy and the Whale"
(p. 138) for another. Pat Le",;s said this w-as one of his father's songs. The
places mentioned are well knol\'D locally. Bacalhao (pronounced Back-a-Iou)
is a high rocky island on which is one of the important lighthouses of the East
Coast. Indian Harbour ison the Labrador, and was a greatcenlre for the large
Newfoundland codfishing fleet thirty years ago. Several Americans have said
that tbe tune is familiar to them, but I have not been able to trace its origin
more definitely. Jack's turning the whale inside out reminds me of King
Richard's feat in the romance of Ridtard GOt:Jlr dt: Lion, vv. 1083-to89 (Weber,
Mdrical Rmnanas, n.44; d. Rollins,Pcpys Ballads. t, 45. stanza 10, and t. 4t.
This song corresponds to staJUaS I. 3. and 4 (and chorus) of "Every Inch a
Sailor. Written and Composed by John Read" (with music difIerent from the
Newfoundland air): TluCtkbraled,Original a"d DtllyMadanu: Re"ls's Songskr.
New York, copyright 1880, pp. 16-17.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

254

126
LUKErS BOAT
Air from Mrs. Ira Yates, words from her, :Mr. Andrew Young,
Mr. Roberts, and others, Twillingate, 1929.
~''''JW;'}'I",m",

JAr J J Jbt#1

~T7 J' J' J'

8. And when

b'ys,

And

J J

when

he

LllJ J

spied old Jen nie all

I

a - round the cape, A - ha,

he was com - ing

was com - ing

a - round the

~~~

11 D.

on the flake. A - ha

me'

cape. He

J' J' J 13.

me rid - dIe I

day.

0, Lukey's boat is painted green,

Aha, me b'ys,
0, Lukey's boat is painted. green,

The prettiest little boat ever you seen.

Aha me riddle I day.
2

0, Lukey's boat got a fine fore cutty,

Aha, me b'ys,
0, Lukey's boat got a fine fore cutty,
And every seam is chinked with putty.
Aha me riddle I day.
Lukey's boat got a high stopped jib,
Aha, me b'ys,
Lukey's boat got a high stopped jih,
And a patent I block to ber foremast head.
Aha me riddle I day.
HI think," said Lukey, "I'll make her bigger."
Aha, me b'ys,
ItI think/' said Lukey,
make her bigger;
rliload her down with a one-claw jigger.'"

uru

Aha me riddle I day.

Newfoundland sailors alwa~ pronounce t.hi.s "pay-tent."
t A jigger is a strong, heavy codfish book, usually three barbs with the shanks back
to back. No bait is used on it, the fisherman standing patiently in his dory jerking it
l

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

255

HAnd now," said Lukey, It get aboard your grub."

Aha, me b'ys,
tlAnd now," said Lukey, "get aboard your grub;
One split pea and a ten-pound tub."
Aha me riddle I day.
Lukey's rolling out his grub,
Aha, me b'ys,
Lukey's rolling out his grub,
A barrel and a bag and a ten-pound tub.
Aha me riddle I day.
When Lukey come around the Bill,
Aha, me b'ys,
When Lukey come around the Bill,
He spied his true love on the hill.
Aha me riddle I day.
And when he was coming around the cape,
Aha, me b'ys,
And when he was coming around the cape,
He spied old Jennie all on the flake.'
Aha me riddle I day.
9

His wife was dead ...

Aha, me b'ys,
aD II said Lukey {II don't care'
I'll'have another'in the spring ~ the year."
Aha me riddle I day.

This comical song is widely current on the East Coast of Newfoundland. It is

cast in the metre of the famous chantey,
In Amsterdam there lived a maid,
Mark well what I do say,
In Amsterdam there lived a maid
And she was mistress of ber trade,
I'll go DO more a-roving 'with you, fair maid.
It may have originated as a chantey. There are probably dozens more verses
floating round.
up sharply, and hoping to impale a codfish on one of the three points. Strange to say,
they do catch fish by jigging, for I have seen them. I imagine jigging is a profitable
method only when a compact school of cod has been located.
1 I. t. Jennie's coffin was laid out on the platform used for drying the fish.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

12 7

GREEDY HARBOUR
Words and air composed by Jack Maher and Stephen Mullins,
S. S. Sagono, 1929.
Sung by Stephen Mullins and Jack i\laher, S. S. Sagona, 1929.
Fost u:ilh ma,k.ed rhJ'tlm~

~I
Down in Greed-y Har- bour we went one time; We shipped on board with

oW

man Ryme; The skip-per and

could not com-bine, With

Cuoars

f@h 1 I J. mbbbEl@:fj' J'1 :' J I

him

1&"

r spent

ve- ry short time.

To me book, urn, na., to me

J' &P4 I i i J ):} IJ' J'

na,

Da)

nee, John

Doo -ley's punt, and

11

wee, woU, wee.

Down io Greedy Harbour we went one time;

We shipped on board with old man Ryme;
The skipper and I could not combine,
With him I spent a very short time.

Cltor11S:
To me hook, urn, na,
To me na, na, nee,
John Dooley's punt,
And a wee, wall, wee.
2

In Greedy Harbour I went one time;

1 bought a punt !rom the old man Ryme;
The sea hove in and she caught aground;
1 lost me punt which cost five pound.

II

OF

EWFOUNDLAND

'257

I have a cow, and she give milk,

I dress her in the finest silk,
I reed her on dry oats and hay,
And I milk that cow nine times a day.

In Greedy Harbour I went one time;

I picked up a jar, I thought it was wine,
I picked it up. I thought it was wine,
I guggled it down, 'twas turkentine.
The third stanza is adapted from a stanza of "Little Brown Jug" (Botte's 100
Popuk, Son,s, p. J:U; Porlrid,e's XalionaJ Son,slcr, p. 14; Wehman broadside... 0.255; paeth, R.t4d 't'M and Weep. pp. 58-59), published as sheet music
in 1869.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

128

THE IRISH SAILOR BOY

Sung by Daniel Endacott. Sally's Cove,

1920.

Recorded by E. 8. G.

j'My pa rents reared me ten - derly,

I~ J.

be - ing .their on - ly

iF" H:rt!IC ~ J :'J'IQJ J W

joy, Whenfint mylltrollI took to roam," Cried theJrishsail-or

"My parents reared me tenderly,

I being tbeir only joy,
\Vben first my stroll I took to roam,"
Cried the Irish sailor b'y.

"The:first ten days we were sailing

Our bark she struck a rock,
And my young beart for the very first time
Received a dismal shock.
Twenty-four of us got in a boat
Out on the ocean wide;
'Twas on the morning of the fourth
That land our captain spied.
H

"We rowed all round those rugged rocks,

Where the clifls they been so steep

We could not find no place to land,
For the waters ran so deep.
UBut some of us been smart and brave,

We soon did get on shore;

There was only twelve of us got saved
Out of the twenty-four;
II And ODe of them was our captain

His precious life to save.

r will always sing his praises,

For he was so noble and brave.

b'y.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

259

"We walked all night hy the moonlight

All in a footpath green i
'Twas early the next morning
St. Peter's town we seen.
It 'Twas there we did get bread to eat,
Likewise a bed to lie,
We found kind friends in Newfoundland/'
Cried the Irish sailor b'y.

The tune to this is used on the East Coast to these words:

For to plow and to sow, and to reap and to mow,

And to be a farmer's bridewhich are a corruption of the concluding lines of each stanza of .. The Farmer's
Boy," one of the best known of English sentimental SODgs (beginning liThe sun
had set behind the hill"): Dixon and Bell, &JIodsond SOIIgso!11u PtoSDnlryof
England, pp. 148-149; B. F. Baker and H. L. Southard, The Boston AfdOfWm,

m (copyright 18so), p. 40; Pound, AmtTlGOn Balkuis olUi Songs, pp. 69-7t. etc.,
etc.

BALLADS AND SEA SO GS

2.60

12 9

GEORGE'S BANK
Sung by Daniel Endacott, Sally's Cove,

1921.

Come all ye bold and undaunted boys

That sails the winter's frost,
Don't hail to go on George's Bank,
Where thousands have been lost,

o Leaving your tender mothers,

Your wives and sweethearts too,
Likewise your loving sisler;
Bid her a last adieu.
'Twas on the fifteenth of Fehruary,
Eighteen hundred and seventy-two,
Those vessels set sail from Gloucester
With each a hearty crew.
4

Our course been about east sou'east,

Cape Anne still bore in sight,
Where we anchored on George's Bank,
With everything all right.

It was in the fourth watch of the night,

The storm began for to roar,
The sea rolled up like mounlain top,
And the sky was thick with snow.
6

No tongue could tell the strife of the gale

That proved our overthrow,
When a hundred and seventeen vessels foundered,
And onto the bottom did go.
One hundred and seventy-two brave men
Have lately leaved the land,
And now they lie on George's Bank,
Rolling in the shifting sand.

S One hundred and seventy-two poor children

Those men have leaved on shore,
One hundred and seventy-two poor widows,
Their sorrows to endure.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
There are many a man in the navy
And into the army too.
There's a widow's God above
And He will reward for you.
For other texts see Eckstorm and Smyth, pp. 281-286. They quote The Fisw4
man's Memorwl and Record Book (Gloucester, 1873) for an account of this great
gale of February :24. 1862, in which fifteen vessels were lost and one hundred and
twenty-five men, "leaving seventy widows and one hundred and forty fatherless
children."

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

13
GEORGE'S BA K
Sung by Michael Walsh, Fleur de Lys, 1929.
Slmdy

'-----'--'

Sun

beams

of

crim - son

and

shad - OWS, As

c reg
kissed

his

,-----...

brave

Flo - ra

skip - pa

J'

J 0 I

that beau - ti - lul mom.

sailed

be

{rom the

bar - bar

Ctor-ge's Banks,where there's sun-shine

and storm.

Sunbeams of crimson and shadows,

As he kissed his Flora on that beautiful morn.
Our brave skipper sailed from the harbor

Now light blew the breeze as our skipper departed

Our

Out

Out on George's Banks, where there's sunshine and storm.

Out on the ocean where danger do rise,

But sad was the heart he had leaved in his cottage,

Won by a kiss on the cheek of his wife.
Now light was the craft o'er the green raging billows,

Light-hearted fi,hermen, joyful and free,

And while the young wife in her little brown cottage
Was watching through the window at the speck on the sea.
4 Now sad was the mother, but duty was urgent,
When the heart from the cradle gave a loud weaning cry,
She then softly caressed her fond babe to her bosom
And sang it to sleep with a sweet lullaby.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
There's three little babes to be dad for the winter,
And there's six little feet to be kept from the cold,
And there's three little hearts to be brought out in sunshine,
Nor see if they'd suITer, nor ever grow old.
6 Many a day passed away, and the mother grew weary,
Weary of waiting, but waiting in vain,
For she thought that the father would never forsake her,
Because she was patient and never complained.

On George's Bank, where this vessel is lying,

Deep in the ocean many a day she has lain,
While the young wife by the seaside is waiting,
Watching and waiting, but waiting in vain.
For cold lies his fonn in the depths of the ocean,
While the insects are in breeding in the color of his charm,
While the young wife in her little brown cottage
Hopeless she's waiting her loved one's return.
Now many's a brave fisherman sacrificed yearly,
Out on the ocean where danger do rise;
But God is father and lover of these children.
Help and pity us poor fishermen's wives!

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

13 1
JACK HI KS
By permission of Gerald S. Doyle, St. John's.
I

Ye muses SO kind that are guarded by wind

On the ocean as well as on shore,
Assist the poor baId to handle his card
\\Tithout ceasing where billows do roar.
Not 01 Cupid he sings, nor 01 country nor kings,
Or 01 any sueb lriHe he thinks,
But 01 sealaIing, sailmaking, gauIbolling, capering,
Grog-drinking heroes like Rinks.

When Jack comes on shore be has money galore

And he's seldom cut short 01 a job;
He can mess as well as many can't tell
With a good silver wateb in his lob.
Poor Jack in his lile was ne'er plagued with a wile,
Though sometimes wi th lasses he links;
He's a seafaring, sailmaking, gambolling, capering,
Grog-dIinking hero, John Hinks.
When inclined for to spend, he walks in with a lriend,
And with pleasure he sits himseli down;
He tips of[ his glass as he winks at the lass,
But he smiles when she happens to frown;
Like a rattling true-blue, when the reckoning comes due,
On the table the money he clinks, This seafaring, sailmaking, g=boUing, capering,
Grog-drinking hero, Jack Rinks.

4 Bound home the other lall, we lell in with a squall

Near the oorthern head 01 Cape Freels.
We were cast away without lurther delayAt the thought now my spirit it chills;
We were cast upon rocks like a hard-hunted lox;
01 death and destruction he thinks,
That sealaIing, sailmaking, g=bolling, capering,
Grog-drinking hero, Jack Hinks.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
0, Jack without fail was out in that same gale,
As the ship on her hearn-ends did lay;
Old Neptune did rail while he handled all sail,
And they had their two spars cut away;
:But Providence kind, who so eases the mind,
And on seamen so constantly thinks,
Saved that seafaring, sai1making, gambolling, capering,
Grog-drinking hero, Jack Rinks.
6 0, death it will come like the sound of a drum
For to summon poor Jack to his grave.
What more could he do, for you all know 'tis true
'Tis the fate of both hero and slave;
His soul soars aloft so doleful and soft,
While the hell for the funeral clinks;
peace to that seafaring, sailmaking, gambolling, capering,
Grog-drinking hero, John Rinks!

:Mr. Doyle ascribes this song to Johnnie Quigley, the bard from Erin.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

13 2
THE RYANS AND THE PITTMANS
By permission or Gerald S. Doyle, St. John's.
In

r.J(}(kra/~ lime

-..

CaORUS: We'll rant and we'll roar

f9'
F3

rant

and

we'll

roar

-.. -..

true New - found-land ~ crs, We'll

like

J'

deck

and

he

; S J' J' J' I l l

til

straight through the

bot-tom

in

Chan - nel

J'

r
-

low,

J'
Un-

0' j -..f"

two sunk - ers,

side

the

to

Too - low

we'U

When

go.

My name it is Robert, but they call me Bob Pittman;

I sail in the blO, with Skipper Tim Brown.
I'm bound to have Dolly, or Biddy, or Polly,
Whenever I'm able to plank the cash down.
CllOms:

We'll rant and we'll roar like true Newfoundlanders,

We'll rant and we'll roar on deck. and below,
Until we see bottom inside the two sunkers,
When straight through the Channel to Toslow we'll go.
I'm a son of a sea-cook, and a cook in a trader;
I can dance, I can sing, I can reef the main-boom;
I can handle a jigger, and cuts a big figure
Whenever I gets in a boat's standing room.
3 If the voyage is good, then this fall I will do it;
I wants two pound ten for a ring and the priest,
A couple 0' dollars for clane shirt and collars,
And a handful 0' coppers to make up a feast.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
4

There's plump little Polly, her name is Goldsworthy,

There's John Coady's Kitty, and Mary Tibho,
Tbere's Clara from Bruley, and young Martha Foley,
But the nicest of all is my girl in Toslow.
Farewell and adieu to ye fair ones of Valeo,
Farewell and adieu to ye girls in the Cove;
I'm bound to the westward, to the wall with the hole in,

I'll take her from Toslow tbe wild world to rove.

6 Farewell and adieu to ye girls of St. Kyran's,
Of Paradise and Presque, big and little Bona;
I'm bound unto Toslow to marry sweet Biddy,
And if I don't do so, I'm afraid of her da.
r've bought me a house from Katherine Davis,
A twenty pound bed from Jimmy McGrath;
I'll get me a settle, a pot and a kettle;
Tben I'll be ready for Biddy - hurrah!

8 I brought in the Ino this spring from the city

Some rings and gold brooches for the girls in the Bay;
I bought me a case-pipe, - they call it a meerschum,It melted like butter upon a hot day.
9

I went to a dance onc night at Fox Harbour;

There were plenty of girls, SO nice as you'd wish;
There was onc pretty maiden a-chawing of frankgum,
Just like a young kitten a-gnawing fresb fisb.

10

Then here is a health to the girls of Fox Harbour,

Of Oderin and Presque, Crabbes Hole and Bruley.
Now let ye be jolly, don't be melancholy;
I can't marry all, or in chokey I'd be.

"It is said that Mr. H. W. LeMesurier of H. M. Customs is the author of this

humorous song. It was written over fifty years ago, and is still popular." (G. S.
Doyle.)
1'1r. LeMesurier sang this song for us, and later we heard it from Tom White
of Sandy Cove in the Strait of Belle Isle. Mr. White, of course, did not know the
geography of Toslow, so he changed the line, "Then straight through the Chan~
nel to Toslow we'll go," to "Straight through the channel we'll toss, love, and
go," and instead of HI brought in the 1110 this spring from the city," he sang,
HI went to St. John's last fall in the liner." The tune is the English sea-tune
U Farewell and adieu to you, Spanish ladies:'

268

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

133
THE BLOOMING BRIGHT STAR OF
BELLE ISLE
Words by permission of Gerald S. Doyle, St. John's. Air from Patrick
Lewis, Fleur de Lys, 1929.

FJ!~Y

DOlUAN MODE

~JLLj2JIJ
I

As

roved out

one

all

view those sweet

J IJ

rt'J:;Jlj
banks

To

mom - ing

lone,

side

the

PJ--4d=bEtlJ I :;
Er - in, Where beau - ty

and

com - fort

J
was

1
of

Loch

I ;J
known.

~e--LligL=m::J=g IJ
spied a

fair

maid at

her

~ r r r fFTti r
slay for

a - while.

Or

Gj

lo

btEL41

thought she

t@HjJJ::4;qj
for - tune,

la - bor, which caused me

god-dess of

J I:; 1 J ILU

the bloom iog bnght star

of

Delle Isle,

lOne evening for pleasure I rambled

To view the fair fields all alone,
Down by the banks of Loch Erin I
Where beauty and pleasure was known.
I spied a fair maid at her labor,
Which caused me to stay for awhilej
r thought her the goddess of beauty,
Tbe blooming brigbt star of Belle Isle.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
2

I humbled myself to her beauty:

II Fair maiden, where do you belong?
Are you from the heavens descended
Abiding in Cupid's fair throng?"

"Young man, I will tell you a secret;

I'm a fair maid that is poor;
To part from my vows and my promises
My poor heart could never endure;
Therefore I 'll remain at my service

And go through all hardship and toil,

And wait for the lad that has left me
Alone on the banks of Belle Isle."

({Young maiden, I wish not to banter;

'Tis true I came here in disguise;
I came to fulfill my last promise,
And hope to give you a surprise.
I own you 're the maid that I love dear;
You 've been in my heart all the while,
For me there's no other damsel

Than my blooming bright star of Belle Isle."

Now then this young couple gets married;

In wedlock they both join in hand.

May the great God of heaven protect them
And give them long life in the land!
May the great God of heaven protect them,
And loyalty be theirs all the while I
And honey will sweeten their comfort

For the blooming bright star of Belle Isle.

The words that Pat Lewis sang are slightly different from Mr. Doyle's text,
since his memory of the words was faulty.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

134THE STAR OF LOGY BAY

Words by permission of Gerald S. Doyle, St. John's. Air from Mrs.
May O'Dea, St. John's.
Re<:o!'ded byE.. 8.G.

I II modermlJ lim4

l@ffl1li

9 1+;bJ J' FRBfiIJ

Ye

la - dies and ye gcn-tle-mr:n,

}A J
Ith&
""'.
Till

J J .]1

pray you lend an

;' J J' I w S S @

10- catc.

lo\'c - Iy ch&rm - er

the

fair.

re -iii -dence

The

curl - ing

or

of

ber

~~~~~
r@1:JrV;"~
___
)Oel _ low

loc.ls

It

stole

my

b~

way,

And ber

.~

place of ha -Iii - 13- tion- She be-long

to

Ye ladies and ye gentlemen,

I pray you lend an ear,

Till I locate the residence

Of a lovely charmer fair.
The curling of her yellow locks
It stole my heart away,
And her place of habitationShe he100g to Logy Bay.
2

It was on a summer's evening

This little place I found;
I met her aged father I
Who did me sore confound,

La - gy

Day.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
Saying, U If you address my daughter,
I 'U send her far away J

And she never will return again

Wbile you're in Logy Bay."
3 How could you be so cruel as
To part me from my love?

Her tender heart beats in her breast

As constant as a dove.
OJ Venus was no fairer

1\or the lovely month of May.

May heaven above shower down its love

On the Star of Logy Bay!

'Twas on the very next evening
He went to 1. John's toWD,

And engaged for her a passage

On a vessel outward bound.
He robbed me of my heart's delight
And sent her far away,

And he left me here down-hearted

For the Star of Logy Bay.
0, now I'll go a-roaming,
I can no longer staYi
I'll search the wide world over
In every coun try j
I'll search in vain through France and Spain

Likewise America,
Till I will sight my heart's delight,
The Star of Logy Bay.
Now to conclude and fInish,

The truth to you I'll tell:

Between Torbay and Outer Cove
'Tis there my love did dwell j

The finest girl that graced our Isle,

So every one did say.
:May the heaven above send dO~"1l its love
On the Star of Logy Bay!

27 1

BALLADS AND SEA SO GS

135
ALL AROUND GREEN ISLAND SHORE
(A GENEROUS PROPOSAL AND A HEARTLESS REJECTION)

By pennission of Gerald S. Doyle, St. John's.

I

When I first went to Trinity in the hrave old days of yore,

'Twas there I took a stroll all around Green Island shore;
JTwas there I met my own true love, the girl that I adore;

A more handsome little fair maid I never saw hefore.

2

"I have as staunch a bully boat as ever rode the ground;

She can heat anything with sails from the Horse Chops to the
Sound;
Besides I have a big Poole gun about five feet barrel or more,
And 'tis for your sake I'll shoulder her all around Green Island
shore.

HI have a feather bed, a watch, of a new house I've a frame;

I'll take you home to Robinhood, if you will share my name;
If Billy Hooker seeks to win your heart, I'll leave him in his gore
And sail far away from Trinity and the dear Green Island shore."
4

uTo wed you now, dear Johnny, would be a poor look-out.

You have two very small legs which scarce carry you about;
Besides you're not able to stand the cold of a cold winter's day.
Jld rather wed a weaselj

SO,

Johnny, go away."

HTbe Green Island reIerred to here is near Trinity. The Poole gun, feather bed,
and walch were considered at ODe time enviable possessions, and a young man
owning aU three was considered a good match. The song was very popular over
the country, particularly in that section to which it relates/ ' (G. S. Doyle.)

OF NEWFOUNDU\ND

13 6
THE OUTHARBOR PLA TER
By pe:nnission of Gerald S. Doyle, Sl. John's.

HThe times bain't what they used to be, 'bout fifty years or so
ago,"
And he hooked a coal [rom the bar-room stove, and set his T. D.

pipe aglow.
"The b'ys be changed, the men be changed, their place supplied
by fraud and ranter,
But the deadest of all the hurr'd past is the dead and gone out-

barbor planter.
'1

uHe's gone with gansy and corduroypantsj with Hamhurg boots

and ne'er collar;
He's goo with cook-room, pork and duff; goo wid the good old
pillar dollar j I
GOD wid his chare at Christmas time; gon wid his rum in the red

decanter;
His chareful v'ice and breezy song are bltIT'd low wid the outport

planter.
3

"'Tis true he was bluff and somewhat rude, and had.n't a stock. of
college manners;
His gurls wam't trained in boardin' schools, and didn't thump
on grand piannersj
But they'd gut a fish, or make a shirt, and at dawn rise at a call

instanter.
They were truthful, bonest, kind and good, the simple gurls of
the Qutport planter.
4

ItHis place supplied by a class 0' dude (I've seed the word in the

Yankee papers)
'Wid standin' collars and shinin' boots: wid cheap segars and
sickinin' capersj
\Vid shop-made clothes and silvern rings, and larnin' enough to

fool and banter;

You'd drown 'em all wid your nipper's spray, those pale faced
sons of the outport planter.
1 Pillar tUHla,. - a foreign dollAr (Spanish) with a design of two pillanl joined by a
flowing scroll, the design which gave rise to the American dollar sign $.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

"Ye're inl ye're out; he done his work, as best he knew in his
position;
The winter seed him mend his nets, the summer seed him go
a-fishin':
The priest and parson he always paid (the regular men, hut not
the ranter),
For the latter class no favor found with the orthodox outharbor
planter.
"His house the village meetin' place, though it not always was a
mansion;

Its carpet was a sanded floor with sometimes sawdust on the

planchin'.
Here song and merry dance went round, the tune supplied by
cook-room chanter;
The reel, cotillion (not the waltz) was the dance enjoyed hy the
outport planter.

"I knew quite well he had his faults and made men work both
night and marnin',
But, then, he didn't spare himself, a-more than three hours' rest
a-scamin'.

And he cussed and he swore when the fish was scarce, and drank
too deep from the red decanter,
And had molasses and rotten flour was sometimes sold hy the outport planter.
"But when 'counts be squar'd at the final day, and into the
ledger the Lord is sarchin',
He'll say J f I find you cussed a sight, and once in a while you
stuck the marchio' J
But you clo'd the naked, the hungry fed; and go up fust with the
harps and chanters,
The place reserved for all good men and honest, square, outharbor planters.'"
UThe term 'planter' is seldom heard nowadays. Like the old-time customs the
poet sings of, the word itself has passed into oblivion. Boweyer. a great many
readers still remember the good old[ashioned type of business man referred to
in these verses. and i they are not f up with the harps and chanters/ we are
afraid modern men will have a poor chance. This is one of the lale lamented
U. A. Devine's compositions, all of which are written with excellent humor and

local chann." (G. S. Doyle.)

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

275

137
THE SPANISH CAPTAIN
Sung by Stephen John Lewis, Fleur de Lys, J929.
SltrdJly with r1lbatQI':"\

~J; 1

""'

0 1; J r 01 0)

My Mu-ses nine, let

you com-bine and

r IF

Q
song.

1&

It's a mourn CuI

e=t
nol

1&

l i J'

p.

de - lay you

long.

ttJ

J 1

leaved his home

lam - en

It's

I'
you

cap - tain,

O\tl

lis - ten to

may

p
it

La - tioo,

of

my

Span -

i J' IJ.
un - cler - stand,

will

w.

01

That

tW J h&8H. 0: J tjtU
in

sun -ny Spain, bound out to

New-found -land.

My Muses nine, let you combine and listen to my song.

It IS a moumfullamentation, it will not delay you long.
les of a Spanish captain, as you may understand,
That leaved his home in sunny Spain, bound out to Newfoundland.

His wife she stepped on board with him, dressed up in silk so

fine.
Her eyes was of the sparkling bright; like diamonds they did
shine;
Her skin just like the snow blossom that fell before the rain;
Her hair hung down in ringlets; Rosanna was her name.

His daughter followed after her just like some angel bright;
She had a small and slender waist, dressed up in muslin white.
All red and rosy was her cheeks, from Spanish town she came;
She's fairer than Rosanna, who's called the Flower of Spain.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

4

The twentieth day of last J uiy from home we did set sail
With the Belen in our company; blew a sweet and pleasant gale.
\Vith the Helen in our company no longer could we stay.
For she got in that very night that we were cast away.
The Fanners and the Virgin Banks they boldly made a stand,
With hurning hait upon the ground to purify the land.
The smoke lay flying o'er the hills, and pitching on the sea,
OUf ship arrived no more across, for this was her last day.
The Afargarita was our ship's name; she was a handsome boat,
,"Vith lofty yards and pitch pine spars; she was scarce nine
years afloat.
By our reckoning and good conduct a due course we did steer;
Our bo'sun cried, "That land ahead, I'm sure it is Cape Spear."
We reefed our sails, braced up our yards, and hauled her by the
windj

But to our sad misfortune, no tug to take her in,

For she had gone on business, she went the day before,
With a freight to Burin Harbour upon the southern shore.
We squared away across the bay, that dark and stormy nightj
Ev'ry man was to his statiOD, but no man saw the light.
Says the captain to the bo'sun, "\Ve'll heave the lead to sound."
No star or moon was to be seen, nor pilot to be found.
9 That night was thick with heavy smoke, the seas ran mountains
high;
It was on that point, that barren rock, we ran her high and dry.
On the twentieth day of August, 0, what a dreadful sight!
All hands was in the water about twelve o'clock that night.
10

The captain, wife, and daughter, no longer could they reign,

To enjoy the wealth and honor they left after them in Spain.
For as they lay on their virgin bed, when the Trumpeter did
sound,
Calling to the seat of justice, where every stain was found.

II

The captain been a Spaniard, a man of noted famej

He was a youth undaunted that ploughed the raging main.
And I hope the King of Glory will their precious souls receive
And make their bed in heaven where St. Peter keeps the keys.

Stephen John Lewis thought this song .....as about fifty years old. For his singing,
see p. xxxi of the Introduction.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

13 8
THE WRECK OF THE STEAMSHIP ETHIE
Sung by Daniel Endacotl, Sally's Cove, 1920. Words from Maude
Roberts Simmonds, 1920.
Reex>rded by E. B. G.

~"""'I'Ii""

OiJJ

COme

aJl

you

true

coun~try men, c~e' ~:--:

'+J Ir2FtPfj9' ; p;4$1ijd

me.

I~ r

be - ing

sto - ry I'll

tell

you

of the

r IruBI;!
the

19 J
freight, mail, and

steam-boat em - played

S.

S.

j I

E - lhk, She

r"

s~

our shore, To car-ry

i J' J

pas-sen-gers

down

on the La - bra - dor.

Come all you true countrymen, come listen to me.

A story I'll tell you of the S. S. Elhi.,
She being the steamboat employed on our shore,
To carry freight, mail, and passengers down on the Labrador.

On the tenth of December, as you all well may know,

In the year nineteen nineteen, on ber last trip did go;
Where she leaved Daniel's Harbour about four P. M.,
With a strong breeze from the south'ard, for Cow Head did

steam.
The glass indicated a wild raging storm,
And about nine o'clock. the storm did come on.
With the ship's husband on board, the crew had no fearj
Captain English gave orders straight for Bonne Bay to steer.
At first to the storm the brave ship gave no heed,
Until at length it was found she was fast losing speed,
And the great waves all round her like great mountains did rise,
And the crew all stood staring with fear in their eyes.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

The orders went round to preserve for their life,
For the. ship she is doomed and it's perish we might;
But still there is hope; there is one brave man on board
Who says he can guide her safely on to the shore.
Walter Young been our purser, as you may understand,
Volunteered for to guide her safely in to the land;
John Cullage, our first mate, bravely stood to the wheel;
Captain English gave orders and all worked with a will.
Up off Martin's Point about one o'clock,
Through bravery and courage, she escaped every rock,
And the people on the shore saw the ship in distress;
All rushed to the spot for to help do their hest.
And then we were landed in a rude boatswain's chair,
Taken in by the people and treated with care;
We stayed on the point until the stann it was o'er,
And the brave little Ethie lay standing on shore.
0, what of the fright, the exhaustion and cold,
The depth of my story will never he told!
And all you brave fellows gets shipwrecked on the sea,
You think of the fate of the S. S. Ethic.
This song is said to have been written by Miss Burney Easin, Port Saunders.
Daniel Endacott said that the tune is called "The Bold Privateer" (see Journal,

xxxv, 357-358).
The Etltie was run ashore about four miles north of Sally's Cove, in 1919, the
winter before I first went there. She came right in under a low cliff, in the only
channel where the deep water comes close to the shore. Reuben Decker, the
sole man living anywhere near there, noticed her distress signals, and rushed
out. With the help of his dog, he was able to catch the EJltie's line and make it
fast on the cliff and help rig the bo'sun's chair. As soon as possible, someone
started for Sa.l1y's Cove for food and blankets. Aunt Fanny Jane Endicott
was one of those who answered the call and left her little house, around which
the seawater was knee-deep, to carry aid to the passsengers. There were so
many of them that though the Sally's Cove people did their best, Captain
Gullage told me that he did not have a chance to get off his wet clothes and
have anything to eat until the next night.
Between Port Saunders and Bonne Bay the steamer stops and anchors off
three ports of call, but on that whole seventy five mile stretch there is no safe
harbor, and the share is straight, a pitiless lee shore when the wind is "on the
land," i. e. rom the west. I always wondered how it was the Ethie's captain
allowed ber to be out along that shore in such a storm, for the Newfoundlanders
have a wholesome respect for the sea, and believe in stopping patiently in a safe
harbor when it blows a gale or is too foggy. When I found out that Captain

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

279

Gullage of the Sagona was the "Jack Gullage, our first mate," who ubravely
stood to the wheel," as the song puts it,l asked him about this.
"If you had been in command, would you have gone out of Port Saunders?"
And he answered, 'I Indeed I would. The weather was smooth and clear, and
the wind was off-shore [from the east].
uWe had heavy freight to Cow Head and were there from six to eight P.I.!.
One hour out from there, about nine o'clock, the wind shifted to the sou'west
and then to the west. The glass fell suddenly and fell so low that it fell off the
black and onto the white and the hand kept bumping and throbbing. It came
on to snow and there was five storms of wind all blowing right on the land.
Waves roUed up as high as those cliffs and almost as long," with a wave of his
hand toward the frowning line of Long Range Mountains, uand it was so
thick you couldn't see the fo'castle. It was the worst storm ever seen on this
coast. Why! Men eighty years old had built slips [platfonns] and hauled their
boats on them, bottom side up for the winter. Their fathers and grandfathers
had built them that way, about six feet high and fifty feet from the beach, and
had never suffered barm, but that night the slips were beat up and washed
away, and the boats too." (I do not know why the Endacotts' little cellarless
house did not go out to sea in that storm. The wash swirled all around itl)
"When we turned in to run for the shore" (after Mr. Young's bold and desperate plan had been adopted) Ie there was not one of us thought be would see
the sun rise again. The order had gone round for each man to save himself, for
they thought the ship was lost. But thanks be to the Lord, we came through.
The waves was mountain high. There is a rock off Martin's Point - the Wbaleback. You can't see it at high water and it is about two feet high at low water.
Well, we passed that rock as near as half the length of the Sagolla, and when the
waves sucked back, the Whaleback was standing up like yonder clifI."
The Whaleback is a very dangerous rock, because it is almost invisible and
lies in deep water near the path of the steamers. Some years later, the AmericaD schooner llellry Ford struck on it and then slid of[ into deep water and
was a total loss.
Another point 1 wondered about was whether the ELIde struck bottom in the
trough of those tremendous waves as she got near shore. There are bad shoals
along there. But Captain Gullage paid tribute to Me. Young's piloting, "She
never touched once until she landed where she is now, and she didn't move an
inch from there, but she rolled, oh how she rolled!"
"Well," 1 said, "were the crew and passengers hysterical and screaming?"
"No, every one was as quiet, and every man was doing what be should -the
firemen were in the fire-room, the engineer in the engine-room, and each man
just at his station, and there was no man who would so much as ask, 'What're
we going to do nowt' They waited for the orders, and wha.tever orders was
given was carried out, though a man might be washed overboard trying. That's
tbe way with us Newfoundlanders. If a man finds himself in a bad situation on
the water, be would just as soon be into it as not, and never thinks of bawlin' or
quittin'.
10 You know there are always three big seas and then calm after them. Well,
three monstrous big ones came along, curving to break. The first went under us
and broke ahead of us - a half mile of white water - if it had broken on us, it
would have carried everything away, but she lay in smooth water as calm as it
is now. The second heaved up and broke just astern of ber, and the white

280

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

water slewed. her round so she was headed out to sea again. Then comes the
third while she was slewed 'round, and broke under her bows - white water as
far as you could sec. In the calm that rollowed, we turned her again towards the
land.
"There was two Salvation Army ladies aboard and they were praying - a
wonderful prayer - and no onc laughing at them that time, J 'Illell you! And
we were brought in where no human power could have brought us."
Dr. Grenfell has written an account of this disaster, called, "The Wreck of the
Mail Steamer" in his Nor/hem Neigltbors.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

Z81

139
THE SOUTHERN CROSS
Wrillen out by Lizzie C. Rose, Fox Harbour, Labrador, 1927_ Contributed
by M. S. Evans, Vassar College. Sung by Philip Major,
Sally's Cove, 1929.
I

Rca.-dcd b,. E. B. G.

111 mDdaalt ti1tUJ

~~'gll;
She got

__
~=n
trn : nIl J. J
bark,

To

clwg< 01

Cap - ta.in

.'l
&ev -

~
r~

J'_

try

-./

en - ty

#goo

up Iteam the lwellt.h : M:rcll and short.rr- did

her for - tune

'='"

Clark.

in

She car - ried

the

..

men, a strong and vig - or - ous

GWE

em-

in

hun-dred and

race,

Some

ill3 =
''In l --.:r
~iijbU
.

1 -

St. John's and Brig -

UI,

and

more from Har-bour Grace.

She got up steam the twe1Jth of March and shortly did embark,
To try ber fortune in the Gulf in charge of Captain Clark.
She carried a hundred and seventy men, a strong and vigorous
race,
Some from St. John's and Brigus, and more from Harbour Grace.

She reached the Gulf in early March, the whitecoats for to slew,
When seventeen thousand prime young harps killed by her hardy
crew,
All panned and safely stowed below, with colors waving gaYJ
The Southern Cross she leaved the iceJ bound up (or home that
day.

BALLADS AND SEA SO GS

She passed near Channel homeward bound, as news came out
next day,
To say a steamer from the Gulf she now is on her way.
uNo doubt it is the Southerlt Cross," the operator said,
"And looking to have a humper trip, and well down by the head."
4 The last of March the storm came on with blinding snow and
sleet;
The Porlia, bound for western ports, the SOlilhem Cross did meet;
When Captain Connors from the bridge he saw the ship that day,
And thinking she would shelter up in St. Mary's Bay.
St. Mary's Bay she never reached, as news came out next morn.

She must have been all night at sea, out in that dreadful storm.
No word came from theSoutlzern Cross now twenty days or more;
To say she reached a harhor around the western shore.
6 The S. S. Kyle was soon dispatched to search the ocean round,
But no sign of the missing ship could anywhere be found.
She searched Cape Race and every place until she reached Cape
Pine,
But of the ship or wrecking the captain saw no sign.
The Southern Cross out twenty days) she now is overdue;

We hope, please God she'll soon arrive and all her hearty crew,
But put your trust in Providence and trust to Him on high
To send theSolilhem Cross safe home and fill sad hearts with joy.
8 All things do happen for the best, but if they're called away,
The brave lads on the Soulhem Cross out in the storm that day,
We trust they reach that heavenly land and rest with Him on
high,
Where cares and sorrows are no more, but all is peace and joy.
One of the greatest tragedies of recent years was the loss of the sealing vessel.

So,dhun Cross. in April, J9J4. Among the one hundred and seventy men who
went down in her were many who were the flower of ~ewfoundJand youth, and
the fact that nothing whatever is known of their last struggle adds mystery to
sorrow. The SouJhem Cross was seen and reported by the telegraph operator at
Channel as uwell down by the bead," was seen by the coastwise steamer Portia
at the beginning of the storm, and then - disappeared. No survivor or wreckage bas ever been found. The event is too recent for the song to be known all
round the island, but the loss is deeply felt, and wherever we went, we were
asked to sing the song, the words of which .Miss Mary Evans bad sent me in
1928. Captain Robert A. Bartlett writes feelingly about the Sou/hem Cross in
his chapter on disasters of the sea in The Log of Bob Barlldl, 1928, pp. 332-334.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

THE WRECK OF THE STEAMSHIP FLORlZEL

Words from Joan Endacotl, SaUy's Cove, 1921. Air from Harvey
Freeman, Twillingale, 1929.
With su.'inging rh]/hm

MAJOR

A,...."D

MueOLVI)IAN MODES

I@~H lin b_@t1"tgd-I-DJ J J

At . ten - tiOD, fel - low coun- try - men, while this sad tale I'll

tell

f@~ F

A - bout

the

well - known steam - boat,

Q
s.

Flo - ri -

~l,

'Who grave Iy

the

Os

harmed up

J'
near

Re - news,

f@~us
in

the steam - u

came

to

grid;

Caught

DJ'lr'ul,s !JJIJ.JII
blind - ing snow-storm, she

ran

up - on

Attention, fellow countrymen, while tJUs sad tale I'll tell

About the well-known steamboat, the S. S. Florize/,
Who gravely harmed up near Renews, the steamer came to grief;

Last Saturday night at eight o'clock the steamer left the pier,

Caught in a blinding snowstorm, she ran upon a reef.

With every indication a storm was drawing near;

With Captain Martin on the bridge, she sailed that afternoon,

With one hundred and thirty passengers in the steerage and
saloon.
3 A blinding snowstorm did come on before she left Cape Spear;
She been a strong and powerful boat, the passengers had no fear,
While in their bunks they lay that night, in calm and peaceful
sleep,
Not thinking before it was morning they'd be buried in the deep.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

4 Up near Renews at morning dawn all hands received a shock,
When scrambling from their berths that night, they found she'd
struck a rock.
Some rushed on deck, being scarcely clad, in hopes their lives to
savej

The sea soon washed them off her deck into the angry waves.
tl

She 's on the rocks! She's on the rocks!" the passengers did cry.

Poor helpless women in their berths gave up their lives to die,

While strong men scrambled in hopes their lives to save,
The sea soon washed them off the deck into the angry waves.
6

And to attract them on the shore, more signals did they fly,
And soon a large ship she was seen, who took them from the
wreck,

And only forty lives were saved out of one hundred six.
A gloom was cast on every home to hear the sad, sad news
About the Ftorizel went down, when harmed up near Renews,

And ninety-four their precious lives that evening left the shore,
Who met their doom a-drownded, alas! we'll see no more.
The loss of the fine steamer Flori~el, which plied between St. John's and New
York, was a great blow to the government during the last war. ~fany prominent
island leaders were aboard. Harvey Freeman, who gave us the tune, was a
member of her crew, and would have been lost too, if sickness had not detained
him ashore that trip.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

14. 1
THE FISHERtl1E OF NEWFOUNDLAND;
OR, THE GOOD SHIP JUBILEE
Sung by Daniel Enda.cotl, Sally's Cove,

1920.

AtcOJ'ded by E. B. G.

Those thrill ~ ing tales we beard last week, It's

"I

in

our mem - 'ry

J' ;' I J J J J
yet,-

Two

fine young

~ I~

the

iD

Tor - bay Went a

from

I&~;J J J

jaws

New-foundland. Snatched

J I J. J' J 4

death. Two

of

niJ

from the scboon-eI'

born in

drift in

fine

young men bom

an an - py

sea,

J J ILlusJ 013,11

Ju bi -lu

on the eigbt-eenth of

A - pril.

Those thrilling tales we heard last week,

It's in our mem'ry yet,Two fine young men born in Newfoundland,
Snatched from the jaws of death.

Two fine young men born in Torbay

\Vent adrift in an angry sea,
Drove from the schooner ftlbilu
On the eighteenth of April.

3 They lived to prosecute their v'yage

On Grand Banks' stormy shore,
Where's many a hardy fisherman
That never returns no more.

286

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

4 Tossed on those seas all those long days,
And bitter was each night;
No friend to speak a kindly word,
No sail to wave in sight.

For twelve long days and twelve long nights

These two poor fellows lay,
To gaze on sky and water
Throughout each dreary day.

6 For twelve long days and twelve long nights

These two poor brothers lay,

With swordes stroak of hunger,

No water, no, nor food,
Till at last a vessel hove in sight

And saw the floating speck;

The J essie Maris was her name,

Coal-laden from Quehec.

An hour or more, while winds did roaf,
The Jessie sailed around
To see if any tidings of
The dory could be found.
The crew all standing in the bow,
All anxious for to hail,
When the captain spied her in the fog
Just aft our windward rail.
10

The jolly-boat that hung astern

Of good old oak did stand;
The ropes were then put round her

And downward she was lowered.

I I

Two tough old seamen manned the

And at their work did go,

oafS

The captain standing in the bow

To take the boat in tow.
12

He took those two poor boys on board;

He nobly done his partj

He watched them with a mother's care,

He done a mother's partj

He sove the lives of those poor boys
With a kind and tender heart.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
13

The first one spoke it was Peter,

The eldest of the two;
He told the captain who they were,
Part of the Jub'lee's crew,

14

And how in April on the Bank

By chance got drift away
And lied exposed in an open boat
For many a dreary day.

15

Long live the Jessie's gallant crew,

Likewise her captain bold!
His name shall be recorded
In letters o[ bright gold.

16

May God now send them happiness

In every port they lay!
And the plucky b'ys that manned the oars
Were the Flemmings of Torbay.

This is the first song Uncle Dan Endacott sang me, and as such will always hold
a unique place in my affections. In the line, "Snatched Irom the jaws of death,"
Uncle Dan, like many Newfoundlanders, pronounced the last word as if it were
"debt." I always listened for it with private joy. The picture evoked is delightful. E. B. G.

Thll melody seems to defy classification into a mode. Perhaps, since it has
only two phrases which are repeated, it is only part of a melody. It gives tbe
effect of an endless one. G. Y. M.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

THE NORDFELD AND THE R/lLEIGH

Composed by George Williarns, Currant Island. Sung by Ellen
White. Sandy Cove, 1929.
~S1dnging rhythm

~IJ

Come all

;sEllr 18il:t=1 ..-f

ye

no ble

fish - er - men and lis - ten

to what

r pi
say;

'Tis

a - bout

the

steam - er

Nord - feld,

'Twas near

sot

J
his

with

bout Bell.

I 4,= ; J' I
course;

H.

~ttJ~$~.~i~Ir ~J~D~J'I~J~J~J'r:tf11
thought to

c~r

aU points of land; 'twas on

: : rocks he

fo~.

Come all ye noble fishermen and listen to what I say;

'Tis about the steamer Nordfeld, with coal she was on her way;
'Twas near about Belle Isle when the captain sot his course;
He thought to clear all points of land; 'twas on the rocks he
forced.
2

He put her ashore on Flower's Ledge at four in the afternoon;

He put ber ashore on Flower's Ledge, she was in her full bloom;
It must have been a dreadful day, for the seas were makIDg high,
To put her ashore here in the Straits to let her live or die.

3 'Twas early the next morning the people went on board,

To take the captain and his crew, find places for to board,
But when the captain came on shore, he got four men to go
To take care of the Nordfeld's store, where nothing would be stole.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
'Twas early the next morning the captain went on board,
His ship was stripped from end to end, and nothing left in store.
n must have been a blessing (or ships to go ashore.
One of our British battleships is ashore on Point Amour.

But if the captain chanced to come, he would not know his ship;
The coal will soon be taken out from holes chopped in her deck,
To keep the men from hauling wood, and the devil from the door.

The Nordfcld and the Roleigil is about nine miles apart,

And if we were on the Labrador, I guess we'd get our part;
And now my song is ended, I have no more to tell,
Because I am so tired, I want to take a spell.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

14-3
THE THORWALDSEN
Sung by James Endacott, Sally's Cove,

1920.

'Twas a noble craft and a gallant crew

That leaved the port that day,
The sea was calm and the sky was blue,
As she sped on her course that day.
2

And a mother stood at the cottage door

And held her baby high
To see the boat as it leaved the shore
And kiss papa good-bye.

3 And the maiden stood where the white waves break

And watched the fading sail
And thought on him who for her sake
Braved the ocean's stormy gale.
4 A heart shall ache and lips shall wail
And eyes at the cottage door
Shall look in vain for glimmering sail
That comes to port no more.
And away, away, o'er the dancing sea
Speeds the hark with an eager will,
As a captive bird from its cage set free
Darts away to its native hill.
6 And lost to view with the far-off land
The cot and the leafless grove,
There's a boundless sea on either hand
And a boundless sky above.
Soon the haven gained and the dangers o'er
Bids the sailor's heart rejoice,
And he mocks at the waves that lash the shore
And the tempest's sullen voice.
8 But the days fly fast, and when the time is come
To breast the waves again,
Now up they anchor, 0 for home,
Or a grave in the cold, deep main!

OF NEWFOUNDLA D
9

And there's a heart and a hand it's joy to greet

And nerve each ill to bear,
And the gallant craft beneath our feet
And a breeze that is free and fair.

10

Speed the gale tbat beats us bome

To the fIiends in our own dear town.
Though the winter sky wears a sbtoud of gloom,
With a laugh we will meet its frown.

II

Now she dances along on the joyous seas

To tbe notes that Boreas plays;
No maid ever skipped in blither glee
To the sound of ber lover's lays.

I'

But the sky grew black at the fall of night,

And the snowflakes filled the air,
And the angry storm in its awful might
The sails and the rigging tear.

13

And higher still each white-capped wave

Bore down on the broken wreck,
No hand but that of God's can save
The fishermen on her deck.

14

uFarewell to the dear ones I've left!"

Cries the lookout on the bow,
As he saw a white wave tower above;
lt~ God, must I perish now?"

IS

None were left to tell of the fearful gale

That swept the tapering mast;
None lived to tell of the dying wail
That was borne on the sbtieking blast.

16 There was none to heat a father's prayer

As he sank in his ocean tomb,
But the wild bird high in the snowflaked air
Shrieked a requiem tbtough the gloom.
17

The wreck is all that is left of you,

Washed high on a foreign strand,
That tells the fate of the gallant crew
On the shore of Newfoundland.

29 1

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

THE BIRD ROCKS

Sung by )lrs. Annie Walters, Rocky Harbour. 1929_
In 1IU:Jdu.:JleIim.e

f:t#1 J J' rei

Rcccntcd by . B. G.

aJ' J .. IJ 1 J 11 J.

II

J"

'Twaswm-terdowntbe ic - ygull. The Gulf St. Law-rence wide, Where

~t4i4S 11 3 J' n:11. J' J

'-

,85TH

stands a light-bouse on

'Twas winter down the icy gulf,

The Gulf St. Lawrence wide,

Where stands a lighthouse on a rock.
The sailors' friend and guide.
2

The keeper had his wife and son.

A helper, too, had he;

These four alone lived on that rock.

Surrounded hy the sea.
One day these three brave men went out,
As they did wont to do.
On rugged sheets of frozen ice
To capture seals a few.
But as they lingered o'er the swile,

At length they failed to see

The wind had veered from south to east
And drove the ice to sea.

The sheets of ice on which they stood

Were drifted all unseen;

Now they could not gain that rock,

For water flowed between.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
Alone within the lighthouse tower

Tbe keeper's wire did see

Her loved ones carried to their doom
Toward the open sea.
They wove their hancb in wild despair
And did for rescue pray,
But not a soul was near to help
That freezing "..inter's day.

Four months she lived on thallone rock,

Grief-stricken, yet so brave,

For nigbtly gleamed ber beacon light

Across the gloomy wave.

At length the welcome spring appeared,

The steamship came around,
But wben the skipper climbed tbe rock
But one brave soul he found.
10

She told her tale in plaintive tonej

Tbe skipper's eyes grew dim;
He turned his eyes toward the sea;
His beart was touched within.

II

\Vbat did you do? II at last he said,

U\Vben aU was snatched from you?"
"I kept my light still burning. sir;
'Twas all that I could do."

]2

0, may we, like this faithful soul,

In sorrow's darkest night
Still do our duty for our God
And show the world our light.

II

13 Then let us keep our lights aglow,

Till alllile's storm is o'er;
Then welU shine as God's fair jewels
On Eden's peaceful shore.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

14-5
CAPTAIN WILLIAM JACKMAN, A
FOUNDLAND HERO

EW-

Sung by John NoftaU, Fleur de Lys, 1929.

I

The fierce winds blow among the cliffs

Of rugged Labrador;
The wild waves dash with thundrous sound
Against the rockbound shore.
The snow that dimmed the noonday sun,
Fell on the muflled form of one
Who, blessed with manhood's strength,
Defied the raging storm.

With a step that spoke of fearless heart,

A strong and steadfast will,
He strode along the rocky beach
And across the barren bill.
Neither wind, nor sea, nor blinding snow
He heeded as he passed,
But by some sacred force impelled
He hurried througb the blast.

3 Hark, what's that? A cry for help,

Borne on the angry breeze,
That rose above the tempest's dim,
Above the raging seas.
It came from o'er the waste of foam,
That chill despairing cry,
The sad appeal to heaven addressed
Of men about to die.
4 It reached the throne of Him who needs
But wills to be obeyed,
Who loved to hear weak human tongues
Invoke His voice in aid.
'Twas by His great ominous signs
The hero of this tale
Was led to seek that fateful spot
In such a fearful gale.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
As he came down the scraggy path,
A cry fell on his ear.

Well he knew it had its source

In some dreadful shipwreck. near.
He gazed out far o'er the breaking surf
Into the snowy air;
No wonder that his eye grew dim
At what he saw out there.
Some hundred fathoms from the shore,
Upon a reef of rock,

A bark had struck., while spar and keel

Was shivered by the sbock..
The jagged point on which she lay
Had pierced from keel to deck,
And pale with fear her trembling crew

Was clinging to the wreck..

E'er and anon the crested waves
Upon her rushed amain,
As if they in their mad career

Would wrench her planks in twain.

A moment Jack.man gazed upon
This scene of fearful woe,
Then flung his boots and coat apiece

Upon the drifting snow.

S His lips were set in firm resolve,
As down the slope he dashed;
The wavering snow and surging waves

Around him roared and crashed,

And plunging in the yeasty mess,
He sank and rose again,

And boldly struck. out for the wreck.

To save the drowning men.
On he swam, while in his face
The cold fierce sea-breeze blew;
Over his head in showers of spray,
The briny waters flew.
Many's a time a billow huge
'Rove him reared. its crest.
Despite its force, he pierced. it through
And onward swiftly pressed.

,I.

I.

BALLADS AND SEA SO GS

ro When his hands the hulwarks grasped,
Tot long he rested there;
But space to raise his voice to God
In short though fervent prayer,
And seized he him who nearest stood
Amidst the noise and strife:
a Come on, hold fast to me,

And I will save your We I"

II

Shoreward bravely on he swam

The heaving waves among,

And to his side, with a vice-like grasp,

The shipwrecked sailor clung.
Despite the furious element
He safely reached the land,
And with their garments dripping brine,
Stood on the sea-beach strand.
12

Jackman cried, HHaste, haste, my friend!

Cross yonder sandy fell,

And to the men you'll find over there,

These woeful tidings tell.

Stay, bid them bring with all their speed
The We-buoy and rope to me,
And by God's help we yet will cheat
This all-devouring sea. U

r3 Thus spoke he, and from his side

The rescued man rushed off.
He turned and darted once again
Into the seething trougb.
From shore to wreck, from wreck to shore,

Ten times the sea he braYed,

And ere the men with ropes arrived,
Ten more lives he'd saved.
14

If

Now quick, my men/' our hero cried,

"Bring here that buoy and ropes,

And let your knots be such as

The boiling sea won't ope."
Then hurriedly the trusty buoy
Beneath his shoulders drew,
To nerve his tired and aching limbs
For what he'd still to do.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
15

Two Topes was fastened to the buoy,

One coil 'round him be bore,
The other lay in friendly hands
Upon the snowclad shore.
In to the surf he leaped once more,
While many an earnest prayer
From those on land and on the wreck
Rose on the quivering air.

16

Now oft they saw his form. submerge

And thought he needs must fail,
But still he reached and tied the rope
Around the vessel's rail.
Sixteen times more he came and went
Across the flowing tide,
Each time a grateful human heart
Throhhed wildly at his side.

l7

At length upon the heach he stood

With shivering limbs and weak;
The rescued men in silence looked
The thanks they could not speak.
"All have been saved! Thank Godl" be cried,
/learne let us o'er the bill,
For fire and clothing both need we
To counteract this chill.

18

IIW'ho spoke? What would you now, my men?"

He queried in surprise.

110 sir, a weakly woman still

In yonder cabin lies."
flWhat! swim out to the wreck again?
It's madness, sir, I say!
She's dead. If not, she is so weak,
She'll perish on the way."
19

Alive or dead, she'll not stay there

Upon the lonely sea,
And if she dies the death to-day,
The fault won't rest with me."
Though hard they pressed him not to go,
Their efforts were in vain,
With haste he donned that well-tried huoy
And dared the seas again.
<I

BALLADS AND SEA SO. 'GS

20

The deck. was reached, the cabin door

He shivered with a blow,
Tbea bore tbe pale aod fainting form
Out of the berth below.
The fierce and angry ocean strove
Its utmost to entomb
Our bero aod his helpless charge

Within its boundless womb.

They got sale ashore and the woman m:overed, but his health was broken.
Queen \letOria sot him a medal The date of the 'WT'eCk and rescue was
October 29, 1866.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

14. 6
THE GREENLAND DISASTER
Composed by :Mrs. John Walsh, F1eur de Lys.
Sung by Herbert Watkins, Twillingate, 1929.
~oderaJeljme

~IW J J
2.

IJ Air J J

TheysailedfromSt.]ohn'sHarbour all

GiE19

the tenth of March. Corn-

Ye tender hearted Christians, I hope you will attend

To these few feeling verses that I have lately penned.
Listen to my mournful story; your grief it will renew,
When I relate the hardships that befell the Grunwnd's crew.

z They sailed from St. lobo's Harbour all on the tenth of March,
Commanded by Captain Barbour, the ice fields for to search;
\Vith colors flying gaily they gave three hearty cheers,

But mark what followed after, you quickly shall hear.

Her course it lay into the Torth; she boldly sailed away
Down to the North, passed by the Funks, she still kept on her
waYi

No danger seemed to threaten this gay and gallant boat

And on the twelfth, I heard them say, they took their first white
coat.

4 From that until the twenty-tirst all seemed bright and gay,
And for to get a saving trip they killed and panned awaYi
It crowned their labors with delight the prospect being so great,
They did not know the grief and woe that on them did await.

It was early on the twenty-first just by the morning light

The Captain gave orders, all with a cheerful voice:

II AU hands, all hands upon the icc, be ready one and all! II
And each man then most cheerfully responded to that call.

300
6

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

But in a short time after that the storm king did arise;
Boreas blew with vengeance which darkened o'er the skies.
Those poor unhappy creatures, they knew not where to go;
They could find no protection from the bitter frost and snow.
They then drew close together their freezing limbs to wann j
It was a small protection from that wild and bitter storm.
They raised a prayer most fervently to Him above the sky;
They cast one mournful glance all round and they laid down to die.
When the Greenland came in view, 0, what a dreadful sight!
Twenty-five stiff frozen corpses lay dead upon the ice.
Those twenty-five were brought to land, but, shocking to relate,
There are twenty-three still missing, which number forty-eight.

10

There is onc among the missing, from St. Brenden he came;

He was an honest fisherman, Mike Hennessey by name.
On Tuesday night they laid him down upon the ice to sleep;
Boreas blew a bitter squall which threw him in the deep.
And now he fills a watery grave from home and friends away,
Until the death roll shall be called upon the Judgment Day.
May the Lord have mercy on his soul/' will be OUI fervent
jj

prayer,
And may be rest in heaven, free from all earthly carc.
I

lOne William Heaton from Harbour Grace, that promising

young man,
His parents' joy and hearts' delight, describe their grief who
canTo see their dear and darling boy cut down in his bloom;
With heavy sighs and mournful cries they laid him in his tomh.

12

But now he is gone, that gallant hoy, and why should they
repine?
There is many a one as well as him, have left their friends
behind;
There are mothers, wives, and orphans who are left for to complain
For those who in the Greenland sailed and never returned again.

13

Now to conclude and finish, I have a few morc words to say.

I hope you all will join me to the Lord to pray
To comfort those that are left behind and to them peace restore
From grief and woe and broken hearts for friends they'll see no
more.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

3 01

14-7

THE DOG SONG

Air and words composed by the Rev. J. T. Richards.
Sung by the Rev. J. T. Richards, Flower's Cove, 1929.
l:

There is something so thrilling and gay,

As the team into harness we strop,
And the leader is eager to take his first place,
While the doggies go yoppy, yop, yop.
Chorus:
"Keep off,! keep off, keep off, keep off,
Keep off!" the carter sings,
HHoid in, hold in, hold in, bold in,
Hold in! you barking things!"

There is something so charming and gay,

As we glide o'er the sparkling snow,
And the ears of the doggies go floppy, flop, flop,
While the carter sings cheerily O.
There is something so cheerful and bright,
When the sun poUTS its rays on the snow,
And the million small mirrors go flashy, flash, flash,
And the carter sings cheerily O.

4 But there's something that's not quite so gay,

\Vhen midwinter winds drift the snow,
And the carter can hardly make out the hind dog
And the leader is boss of the show.
Chorus:

No longer now the carter cries l

"Keep off, keep off! hold in!'l
For canine lore is on before,
And that is bound to win.
1 Kup off, i, e. tum to the right. Hold in, i. e. turn to the left, Both said very
rapidly,

302

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

Then there's something so cozy and hright,

When we suddenly dash up in glee
To some humhle homestead where hearts are aglow,
And the goodwife prepares you some tea.
ChoTUS:
The goodman, too, performs his part;
The hungry dogs are fed;
And hlizzards now may whirl and roar,
The traveller has a bed.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

33

14- 8
THE COOKS OF TORBAY
Sung by James Day, Fortune Harbour, 1929.
1

Come all ye young fellows wherever ye be,

I'll sing ye a verse on the cooks of Torbay,

And if ye'll pay attention and listen awhile,

You 'Il bear a tall song tbat will cause you to smile.
2

\Ve signed on at the office a-sealing to go,

Up in the Gulf, in the Ellen, you know;

Our cook be looked drowsy, those words did be say:

"0, you'll find me smart enough to sea.

II

\Ve hove up in the narrows, and then rowed ashore,

'Twas down to Malone's he stayed, stretched on the floor.

Our skipper come on board, these words be did say:

U\Vell, Bob-din, my boy, there's no dinner to-day.

By great belp you've cooked us two meals, and boiled us no

pork;
When it comes to tbe third one, the bell be bobbed all."
He went down in the fo'castIc and he begs for to grieve;
He says to himself, HI'm enchanted, I believe/'
But rising again said, III'm onc man in teDi
So Tabeau, you must leave the galley again. U
He went down to the cabin and began for to grunt,

Shoved up his three fingers and likewise the stump;

H I won't cook at all,
For the coppers is rusty and the galley too small."

He says to his shipmates,

Now Tabeau mixed his duff well, you do know;

He have his young son for to tend on the crew;
He'll sleep in his park until all is complate,

And then be'll go forward and give the men prate.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

14-9

THE MERCHANTS OF FOGO

Sung by James Day, Fortune Harbour, 1929.
I

Come all ye toil-worn fishermen, combine and lend an earj

Beware of those cursed merchants, - in their dealings they're
not fair;
For fish they'll give half value, they will sacrifice it sorc,
If it's under eleven inches, for Madeira it will go.

For oil they'll give but one and six, for it they'll say it's no cost,
And when you go to look for a rise for your fish, they'll tell you
that they fall.

We'll first speak of Pat Earle; I suppose you do him know;

The way be serves his dealers, it is a public show.
With his canvas pants and bluchers, he tends the shop and storej
Some hundreds he's robbed in his time, and Pm sure that he'll
rob morc.
Between himself and Crowder that employ will break,

Let you go down to the staple room, and there you will see fun.
When he stands to the culling board, his neighbors do him shun i
Wben he stands to the culling board, he'll say it is no use,
And when they go to bring back the fish, gets nothing but abuse.
There's another that we'll speak of, I suppose you do him know;
He was a Rack Commissioner in Cape not long ago.
He robbed the underwriters of four hundred pound or more,
And then he returned to Fogo and built a shop and store.
He carried on the merchandise quite well till eighty-six,
That was the year he met bad debts and he got in a fix.
Like a wolf at bay, he marched awaYi to Shoal Bay he did go;
At night he took Rich Torrent's fish, as everybody know.

OF

EWFOUNDLAND

35

There's another we will mentioDj they are true-born English

men,
And since they've come to Fogo, they've showed justice to each
man.
They've extended credit large and great and met bad debts I
know,
But never frowned on the fisherman, because that he was poor.
And if you want to know their names, therefore we sound their
praises,
Vle'll sound them east to west, those VATQ united brothers,
Is Thomas Hodge and John Hodge.

This song with its coarse slander and gossip, was made up in praise of the Hodge

Brothers. James Day said that a man came in, hoping to curry favor. He sat
on a barrel ol pork, and sang it to Mr. Hodge, wbolistcned quieUy. When it was
finished, his only comment was to rise, kick over the barrel and say, uRolI that
into the store-room." This type of song is commonly made up for election campaigns. It has its counterpart in American campaign songs of the previous
century.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

IS
THE ROVING

EWFOUNDLA..'1DERS

Sung by Daniel Endacott. Sally's Cove, 1929.

I

Ye roving boys of Newfoundland, come listeo unto me.

If you '0 be advised and listen to me, and listeo to the word of
man,
You'll stay on shore and rove no more from the shores of New
foundland.

'Twas in the yea! of sixty-thIee, by Sbea we did agree,

To work upon the railway tracks, as you may understand.

'Twas sleeping 00 that cold daIDp ground, which oUI natives

could oot stand
To work upon those railway tracks we were Dot inclined.
3

So fifty-five made up their minds to leave and run away;

We then left railway tracks behind, the next to Canada.
We shipped on board of a river boat, our wages there were high,
Wbere they robbed us of our earnings; to that we could not
agree.

4 We then left Canada behind, tbe next to Boston town.

In bunting for employment, we wandered up and down.
Employment had been very scarce, and next to Boston town
appeared,
We shipped on boa!d the Morning Bloom, for George's Bank to
steer.
We anchored on those George's Banks, November the twenty-

two,
Where the winds from the east nor'east, so violently they blew,
Wben vessels of the noblest mold were losing man by man,
When twenty-two of the jovial crew, they sunk and soon went

down.
6

But Providence proved kind to us; we bad a change of wind;

We chopped oUI cable to the bow and ran before the gale.
'Twas by our captain's orders we quickly crowded up sail;
For thIee long days and thIee long nigbts we ran before the gale,

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

37

Till our log plainly told us that land was drawing nigh,
That revolving light that shines so white, is the southern point
01 Cape Ray.

8 We tried her under a douhle-reeled 10resaiJ, hut nothing could

she do,
HShake out your reefs,1J the captain cries, "for the land we
must keep clear."
For lour long hours on bowline stretch under water she did tear.
[They got round the cape.]
9

Out 01 eighteen able seamen bold, there remained but five and
two,
For the rest 01 them got washed overboard into the waters blue.
10

'Twas when we reached St. John's

tOWD,

our friends they all

came do"'-n,
We told them the tale 01 the November gale, and we'll sail the
seas no more.
For another song with this same title see No. 183.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

38

15 1

THE FRAl KLI

EXPEDITIO.

Sung by Joe Cooke, Fortune Harbour, 1929_ Words from James

Day, Fortune Harbour, 1929.

+
3. In

-- fin's
+
Baf

'death of Fran-ke-lin no

where the whale- fish blow.

Bay

-./

The

..........

one do know. Or the fale of Fran-ke-lin

tongue can tell; Lord Fran - ke-lin

a-long with hiI

sail-ors do dwell.

I dreamed a dream and I thought it true

Concerning Frankelin and his jovial crew,
That (rom old England we sailed away,
To the (rozen ocean in the month o( May, -

About a hundred seamen so hrisk and stout,

To find the Northwest Passage out,
The Northwest Passage around the Pole,
Where we poor seamen do ofttimes roll.
In Baffin's Bay where the whale-fish blow,
The death o( Frankelin no one do know,
Or the (ate o( Frankelin no tongue can tell;
Lord Frankelin with his sailors do dwell.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

'B
Words from Mrs. Minnie Payne, Green Point, 1929.

Ten thousand pounds I would fIeely give

To say on earth my Franklin do live.

Homewards bound one night on the deep,

Swinging in my hammock, I fen asleep.
It's seven years since one ship of fame,
That bore my husband across the main,

It's one hundred seamen with courage stout

It's morc than any man can do
With hearts undaunted and courage true.

Blows over the graves where poor seamen dwell,

Whose dreadful sufferings no tongue can tell.
Many's the wife is leaved to mourn
In grief and sorrow for their return.

There's Captain Husband 1 from Scarborough town,

Brave Crimmel Perry 2 of high renown,
There's Captain Husband:! and many more,
Have long been searching the Arctic shore.
Now my burden it gives me pain,
For my long-lost Franklin, l've crossed the main.
Ten thousand pounds I would freely give
To say if on earth my Franklin do live.
l Error for" Austin."
t For "Brave Granville and Penny."
, For "Ross."

39

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

3 '0

c
Words from Stephen John r.e"is, Fleur de Lys, 1929_
I

We sailed away down Ballin Bay,

Where the nights and days were onej
And the Huskimaw in his skin canoe,
That was the only living soul.

2:

The ice-king came with his eyes aflame,

Perched on our noble crew,
And his chilly hreath was cold as death,
It pietced OUI warm hearts thIough.

This is uL&dy Franklin's l..am~l! See Greig, lxnvi; broadside. John Gilbert,
Manchester, No. 30. C, however, belongs to another song which 1 have not
found.
It was a great surprise to us to CQme across fragment.! of this song (of which we
never did get a complete version). 1l shows the intense interest aroused in
Europe and America eighty years ago, as to the fate of the lost Arcticexpedilion
commanded by Sir John Franklin.
In May, 1845. the British government sent Franklin, with two ships, 129 men,
and supplies for three yean, to try to sail through the Northwest Passage - a
feat accomplished finally by Amundsen sixty )'ears later in t005- Tbeships were
frozen in the Arctic ice, Franklin and twenlyfour men died, and in 1848 the
survivors abandoned the ships and st:arted to march south.
For nine years the fate of the expedition was unknown, and the government
and Lady Franklin sent out searching expeditions, one after the otherJ and
offered a reward of ten thousand pounds for positive information. Dr. John Rae
in 1854 at last learned from Eskimos that every man of the expedition bad
perished, and two years later Captain McClintock found relics of thee.z:pedition,
-skeletons, equipment, and two short written papers, - and heard a descrip.tion of the last efforts of the party from an Eskimo woman, who said, "They
fell down and died as they walked." But it is not known why Franklin died, and
there are said to be mysterious hints of unmentioned troubles in the recovered
documentsj so curiosity still prevails, and as recently as September 14, 1930,
The Nr:w York Tim~s published an editorial on the Franklin mystery, hoping
that the remains of a ship, reported seen during an airplane flight by Major L. T.
Burwash, might afford a further clue to this lrBgedy.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

3 11

15 2

NEWFOUNDLAND AND SEBASTOPOL

Collected by the Rev. Mr. Reese, of Bonne Bay, {rom singing in Port
Saunders, 1929.
I

You sons of fame, come bear my theme,

Rejoice and let us sing.
Success to France and England
For they 've made the Russians ring.

With honor and with glory

The dead remain the brave,
Whose names will be recorded
To tell how the dead behave. 1

Clwrus:
Success to France and England!
Hurray, my boys, hurray!
Sebastopol is taken,

And we've nobly gained tbe day!

2

On the eighth day of September

We made the Russians weepi
OUf bulldogs, you remember,

Through Sebastopol they sweep.

With causing desolation
And destruction in the town,

Our shot and shell we made to tell

To cut the Russians down.
When the signal it was given
To make the grand assault,
The British Light Division
It never stayed nor halt,
But rushed with desperation

Upon the mighty foe.

0, what a dreadful sacrifice

Of human blood that flows!

I

Read "they did behave."

3 12

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

4 The Malakoff town was taken by
The Frenchmen bold and true;
Led on by General McMaker,
The foe they did subdue.
With honor "nd with glory
Those heroes did advance,
And victory crowned the efforts
Of the noble sons of France.
The Twentieth and the Twenty-third
Of the Royal Fusiliers,
The Fortieth and the Fifty-sixth
Advanced with deafening cheers.
The Eightieth and the Eighty-eighth,
And the Ninetieth as well,
Both men and gallant officers,
They nobly fought and feU.
6 HereJs to the memory of our soldiers.
That fought with mighl and main,
Whose bones are lefl to molder
On Russia's battle plains!
Aod those that have got wounded,
We hope they will survive
To teU of that dreadful battle
Of September, fifty-five.

OF NE\'IIFOUNDLAND

3 13

153
THE MURDER OF YOUNG SOMERS
Played by Isaac Churchill, Tv.-illingate. 1929I

\Vhen the news it did come in,

Sebastopol it was taken,

(There was rejoicing in the city, and drinking, and young
Somers was murdered.)
2

At Graves' gate the row begun,

At ten o'clock the quarrel ended,

He scarce had time to rise his hand,

A knife into his body ran;
He scarce bad time to say amen,
When the life from him did part.

(The man who stabbed Somers did not mean to kill him, but
was after another man.)

BAllADS AND SEA SONGS

154MY DEAR, I'M BOUND FOR CANADY

Sung by Stephen John Lewis, Bob NoHal and family, Fleur de Lys, 1929.

liMy dear, I'm bound for Canady;

Love Sally, we must part.
1' m forced to leave my blue~eyed girl,
All with an aching heart,
To face cold-hearted strangers
All in some foreign land."
The tears rolled down her rosy cheeks,
And she took me by tbe hand.

"Don't go and leave your blue-eyed girl,

Likewise your parents dear.
0, stay at home, dear Willie;
You'll find employment here.
Think on your mother's heart would break,
If you do go away;
Honor your aged father,
For his locks are turning gray."
IIPU think. on them," said Willie,
"And that you need not fear,
For I will honor my parents
And I love my Sally dear;
But here just now in St. John's town
No employment can 1 find.
I must away, I cannot stay,
For I have made up my mind."

4 "If you do go," said Sally,

"Remember me each day.
It's for your health and prosperity
Every day I'll pray.
Think on those happy hours we've spent
When we rambled side by side,
The promises you made to me
That I would be your bride."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
(/ The promises I made to you
To them I mean to standi
res my intention for to return

Again to Newfoundlaod.
I don't intend for to remain

00 the Canadian shore.

r cannot stay three years away

From you I do adore."
The steamship she was ready
For the Canadian shore.

He took his darling in his arms

And kissed her o'er and o'er.
Her mild blue eyes, her rosy cheeks,
Her eyes were decked with tears.
She looked as pure as an angel,
And her age was nineteen years.
Now this young couple had to part;
They shook each other's hand;
He promised every mail would come

A letter he would send.

He bade this charming girl adieu;
Kind fortune on him smiles;
And every honest, decent young man

Don't leave his girl behind.

A favorite song about filty years ago.

3'5

3 16

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

155
COD LIVER OIL SONG
Sung by Gordon Willis, Fogo, 1929.
I

I'm a young married man that is tired of life;

Ten years I've been wedded to a sickly wife;
She did nothing all day only sit down and cry,
Prayiog to God she'd get hetter or die.
Chorus:

o doctor, dear doctor, 0

doctor, dear John,l

Your cod liver oil is so pure, so strong,
I'm afraid of my life, I'll go down to the s'ile,
If my wife don't stop drinking your cod liver Ue.
2

A friend of my home came to see me one day,

He told me my wife she was pining away;
But he aftenvards told me that she would get strong,
If I tried her a bottle lrom doctor, dear John.
Well, I got her a bottle just for to try,
And the way that she drank it, you'd think she was dry.
Well, I got her another; it vanished the same,
And now she's got cod liver oil on the brain.

She liked it so well - of this there's no doubt.

I own that my wife she got terrible stout;
And when she got stout, of course she got strong,
And then I got jealous 01 doctor, dear John.
My house it resembles a pick II doctor's shop;
It's filled up with bottles from bottom to top;
And when in the morning the kettle does b'lle,
You'd swear it was singing out "cod liver Ue."

A favorite stage song years ago. See Jas. Larkins' Variely Songster, p. 23;
James O'Neil's Emerald Echoes, copyright 1878, p. 54; Pete, J. Downey's Let Ihe
Poor Go Down, p. 62; ~o. JarfJis' "Wed the Flag YOI4're Ufltur" Songster,p. IS.
Read "Doctor De John."
, Read "big."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

317

15 6
THE SCHOONER MdRY dNN
Sung by Mrs. Edward Gillespie, Fortune Harbour, 1930.
Slowly

AEOUAN MODI!:

~'2 i 1 Ii 1 J 61/ 1 J CSIF' C @

On St. Patrick'sDaywe

I~' F' J'

sailed a-way In theschoon-er Ma-,.,

ritard
I':'

p. (jJ' Fir alit JlJ U

CP

An,., Leav-ing New York, our native home, Bound down to Newfoundland.
I

On St. Patrick's Day we sailed away

In the schooner Mary Ann,
Leaving New York, our native home,
Bound down to Newfoundland.

The captain been a smart young man,

Only nineteen years of agej
He was married to a loving wife
Three weeks before he leaved.

Smallpox on board was raging,

Only two were left of the crew.
Mrs. Gillespie knew only this fragment of the Newfoundland song about the
voyage of horror made by the schooner Mary A 1111. Mackenzie prints a Nova
Scotian song about the same tragic event. The tune, sung slowly and pitched
rather high, is eminently suited to the mournful words.

3 18

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

DO ALD

lONROE

Recited by Mrs. Eliza Coles, Sandy Cove, 1929.

This is a song about two brothers who came rom Scotland to Nova Scotia to
find their rather who had preceded them to the New World.

Our father advised us with our uncle to stay.

For be was not able our passage to pay.
Our captain advised us in the country to go,
To see if we could find out our father or no.
Two ruffians locked up in the woods.
For tats and references see Mackenzie, No. 131; Hudson, No. 49i Belden
Missouri collectioD. The song is originally Scottish (see Logan, A Pedlor's Pad,
pp. "3-415)

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

319

15 8
FIELDING
Sung by Daniel Endacott, Sally's Cove, 1929. Learned twenty-six years
ago from a song printed in Th~ Family Herald of Montreal.
I

Come all my friends and countrymen, with pity lend an ear

And hear my mournful story; you can't but shed a tear.
I am here in close confinement, bound down in fetters strong,
Surrounded by a granite wall and sentenced to be hung.

Charles Davis Augustus Anderson is my right and proper

name,
And since I have been in custody, I'll never deny the same.
r came from decent parents, although I die in scorn;
Believe me now I much lament that ever I was born.
I shipped on board the Saladitt, as you may understand;
She was bound for Valparaiso, McKenzie had command.
We arrived there in safety without the least dismay,
'Vhen Fielding came on board of her, and lead us much astray.

'Twas on a Sunday morning, I am sorry to relate,

'Twas on a Sunday morning that bloody deed was done,
When Fielding brought a Bible and swore us every one.
'Twas on a Sunday morning, I am sorry to relate,
We begun the desperation; the first killed was our mate,
And the next we killed our carpenter and overboard was thrown i
His head it then was soon cut off, no mercy there was shown.
Those poor unhappy victims lying in their beds asleep,
We called them up and murdered them and threw them in the
deep.

My father was a shipwright; I might have been the same;

He showed a good example; to him I leaves no blame;
Likewise my tender mother, who for me suffered sore;
When she heard the dreadful news, I am sure she'll suffer more.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

3 20

8 0 dear and loving mother, could I but see your face,

I would kiss your lips with tenderness and take a last embrace;
I would bathe you in my tears of grief before my funeral hour,
Submitting then my soul to God, to His holy will and power.
9

Brothers and sisters, now adieu, all near and dear to me,
So far beyond the ocean, whose forms I ne'er shall see!

Those happy days I spent with you whilst on my native shore!

Fare you well, sweet Isabella! I ne'er shall see you more.
10

The sheriff and his officers came to me in the jail;

I knowed their awful errand well, so courage did not fail;
I was led up to the gallows, placed on the fatal stand;
I viewed the briny ocean and then the pleasant land.

II

There was books of consolation put there for me to read;

I professed the Church of England; by nation I'm a Swede.
They have placed the fatal halter on, to end all storm and
striIe.
With his own hand he grasped the rope which cut the thread of
life.

The incoherence of this song is due to the fact that it is made up of two dirTerent
Nova Scotian songs concerning the piratical deeds and ultimate fate of the crew
of the Saladin. Mackenzie tells the whole story of the ship in his QIU:S' oj 1M
.&lkul, pp. 2II IT., and prints the two songs as Nos. 112 and 113 in ms Ballads
and Sea. Songs from Now Swtia ("George Jones" and "Charles Augustus
Anderson U ) . He refers to MacMechan, Old ProrillU Tolls, pp. 209'""238, for a
more detailed narrative. In the Saladin song see also the Brady MS. (Harvard
College Library), pp. 104-106. The Family Herald is a weekly paper published
in MODtreal wit.b a wide circulation in Newfoundland. Its department devoted
to familiar songs is very popular and we were shown many a clipping from it.
Unfortunately, The Fomity Herald depends on its contributors for te.'tts, and
j

does no critical editing.

OF NEWFOUNDIAND

3 21

159
THE LV iBER CAMP SONG
Sung by Samuel Roberts; words added by Maude Roberts and
Joan Endacotl, Sally's Cove, 19'20.
1

Come all you jolly fellows and listen to my song;

It's all about the shanty boys and won't delay you long.
We're the jolliest good bunch of fellows that ever you could
find,
And how we spend our winter months is hurling down the pine.

At four o'clock in the morning the boss he will shout:

"Heave out, my jolly teamsters; it's time to be on the route."
The teamsters they jump up all in a frightened way:
'I\Vhere is me boots? Where is me pants? Me socks is gone
astrayl"

The next gets up is the choppers, whose socks they cannot find;
They blames it on the teamsters and swear with all their mind.
Some other man may have them on and he be standing near.
Laugh it off all with a joke and have a hearty cheer.
4

At si.."t o'clock ies breakfast and ev'ry man is out,

And if a man he is not sick, he's sure to be on the route.
There's sawyers and choppers to lay the timber low;
There's swampers and loggers to drag it to and fro.
IfCrackJ snack! goes my whip; I whistle and I sing;
I sit upon my double sleigh as happy as a king.
:My horse is always ready, and I am never sad;

There's no one else so happy as the double-sleigher lad."

The next comes is the loader, all at the break of day:
"Load up my slide, five hundred feet; to the river drive away."
You can hear those axes ringing until the sun goes down.
uHurrah, my boys! The day is spent. To the shanty we are
bouo',"

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

322

We all arrive at the shanty, cold hands and wet feet.

We there pull off our larrigans, our supper for to eat.
We sing and dance till nine o'clock, than to our bunks we climb.
Tbose winter montbs they won't be long in burling down the
pine.
8 Tbe springtime rolls around, and the boss be will say:
ftHeave down your saws and axes, bJys, and help to clear away.
The floating ice it is all gone and business is arrived;
Two bundred able-bodied men is wanted on the drive."
9 The springtime rolls around, and glad will be the day
When folks relate unto their friends, wbo wander back that
way.

So now my song is ended, and don't you think it 's true?

But if you doubt one word of it, just ask one of our crew.
This has the best. most robust. and finished air in the Dorian mode that [have
ever beard. Its popularity is shown by the fact that the Twillingate sealers used
it for the air to their "Sealing Cruise of the LoIl~ Flier" (see tune 123) nine
years after I first heard it in Sally's Cove on the opposite side of the island.
Joanna Colcord, RDlI and Go, p. tOC}, prints this tune to the words II Cruise of
the Bigkr." She says it is a song from the Greal Lakes. cr. Rickaby, p. 208.
The plowman's song entitled "Drumdelgie" (Greig. iv; Ord. pp. 2[0--211) bears

a general resemblance.
For other versions see Rickaby, No. 14 ("Jim Porter's Shanty Song"); Edstorm and Smyth, pp. 25-26; Shoemaker, pp. QJ4)S; Gray, p. xvii (two stanzas).
St.anza. 5 is borrowed from the chorus of U ]em the' Carter Lad." as found on
p. 86 of FafJoriJe So"g$ and Hymns for School and Bome, edited by J. P.
McCaskey:
Crack, snack, goes my whip. I whistle and I sing,
1 sit upon my wagon, I'm as happy as a king.
l\-ly horses always willing, for me I'm never sad,
For none can lead a jollier life than Jem the Carter Lad.
Cf. Greig, xcix.

SONGS ABOUT THE LUMBER CAMPS

In Newfoundland the forests are mostly softwood, such as spruce and fir, valu
able chiefly as pulpwood. Vast quantities of rather small logs, cut to the suitable
length - aoout four feet - are brought down to the coast from the interior and
carried in small freight steamers to the pulp-mills. We visited the huge mill at
Comerbrook. On olle side was the enormous orange pile of peeled logs. seeming
as big as the vast mill itself, on top of which a mecharncalloader constantly and
fantastically ejected fresh logs drawn from the boom on the waters of Bay of

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

32 3

Islands. The pulp steamers came to the outer edge of the boom, and wbile we
were at Curling. one or two were continually discharging their cargoes into it.
The air was pervaded witb the sharp, spicy fragrance of fresb-cut evergreen
limber, and spray occasionally struck us fcom the stream of water which played
over that migbty fire-hazard. Within the mill, the logs are made into endless
roUso! newsprint paper. which Afe stored on long piers until ocean steamers take
them to London, New York, or New Orleans. The storage space bas to be large
enough to bold the product of the mill during the four months when nay of [slands is liable to be ice-bound. The mill is supplied with power brought thirty
miles over the hills from a great h}-drc>-electric dam and turbines on Deer Lake.
There has bet'n a significant change in the policy of the Newfoundland goveromenl towards the pulp"'ood industry between 1920 and 1929. Then the
pulpwood was exported to other countries to be manufactured; DOW the policy
is to have it manufactured in NewfoundJand.
Lumbering is a recent industry in Newfoundland, as the Badger Drive song
suggests. Its introduction bas had several interesting effects upon the songs of
the island. In the first place, experienced men have been brought into the
country to superintend and teach the different operations. The songs show
clearly, what any infonned ~ewfoundlander will leU you, that these men have
come {rom the lumbering operations in Michigan, ~laine, and the Canadian
maritime provinces, - Nova Scotia, ~ew Brunswick, and Prince Edward
Island. The songs they brought with them are now familiar to the Newfound.
landen, even as far as the Strait of Belle Isle. Another interesting result bas
been the educational effect of having men from all sections of the island brought
together as they are by the news of work to be had in any particular seetion. In
the bunkhouses there is considerable exchange of ideas, and also a large ex
change of songs, the young men learning each other's repertory as often as pos
sible.
Life in the lumbering camps has its full share of dangers and hardships, re
fleeted in the songs, and the bunkhouse frequently rings with vulgar conversa
tion and dirty songs. SO that one upstanding young fellow said frankly: "Yes,
miss; I've heerd lots of songs in the lumbering woods, but them I knows is not
fit to sing you." Sometimes, however, things go the other way. Another youth
said, "Ou-er cook were a Salvation Army man, and he'd get us up on Sunday
marnin's, playin' hymns on 'is cornet, and there'd be no rorsin' nor blackguard
talk." Of course the men do not have to get up on Sunday mornings, but that is
wasb..<fay as well as rest--day, and the forehanded rise early to make use of the
washtubs while the hot water is still cleanl But, -danger, hardships and vulgarity aside, - there is an attractive 50ciaJ side to the lumbering, which has
appealed to Sam Roberts, who first sang me "The Lumber Camp Song" when
be was mteen. The typical evening entertainment in camp is singing songs and
dancing ustep-dances." Sam, like most of the Roberts family, is a s.....eet singer
with a good store of songs, and he is also good at doing a step-dance. This is
something like our tap-dancing or clogging, and is usually a solo, though two
men may danceopposile each other. The men in the bunk-houses dance in com
petition, until the best dancer in camp is singled out. This winner then competes
with the winners rom other lumbering camps for the championship of Newfoundland. 10 1929, Sam Roberts was runnerup in this contest. ]t was truly a
pleasure to watch him dance. He had beautiful muscular control, and a great
variety of steps, and grace, rhythm l and life in every movement.

324

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

160

THE BADGER DRIVE

Words by Mr. John V. Devine, Stephenville Crossing.
Sung by Clifford Toms, La Scie. Words by permission of
Gerald S. Doyle, 51. John's.

I:i ,I,. it lnwd",I'J b4@$j

~

in

Ii",.

There is

one class

IJ

J It F

j
in

of

this

F 12

coun - try

that

_R+4H j IJ J pj IJ j J11
nev-er

$V:t F r

is mentioned in song, And now, since their trade is

ad-

r If1##4t=t=H
1&'"& F ITlt F [' F12 r J FINtEl
F 12 F J

vane-jog, they'll come out on top be-fore long. They say that our

sail - ors have

FP8

dan - gee,

and

like - wise our

war - ri - ors

tl j ITFbgbEF ['

bold, But tbere's none know the life of

1~,b&2 F F F IJ

driv - er,

s 12

what he

CHORUS

JJl44-1J;

sui - fers with hard - ship and

With their pike-poles and

cold.

I~'" J LbIF

r FItf F FlIT" n FFffI

I~ ,b,

I J .U I j

pea-vies and ba-teausand

spring, that's the

I&~' F

get on

all, And they're sure to drive out in the

time, With the caulks in

FIF

F IF" l j

the logs, And it's hard

to get

IJ

JI

their bools when they

I; J J Ij II
0 -

vet their time.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
I

32 5

There is one class of men in this country that never is mentioned

And

in song,
DOW, since their trade is advancing, they'll come out

aD

top belore loog.

They say that our sailors have danger, and likewise our warriors bold,
But there's none know the life of a driver, what be suffers with

hardship and cold.

Chorus:

With their pike-poles and peavies and bateaus and all,

And they're sure to drive out in the spring, that's the time,
With the caulks in their boots when they get on the logs,
And it's hard to get over their time.
2

Billey Dorothey he is the manager, and be's a good man at

the trade;
And when he's around seeking drivers, he's like a train going
down grade;
But still he is a man that's kind-hearted, on his word you can
always depend,
And there's never a man that works with him but likes to go
with him again.

I tell you to-day borne in London, HThe Times" it is read by

each man,
But little they think 01 the lellows that drove tbe wood on
l\Iary Ann,
For paper is made out 01 pulpwood and many things more you
may know,

And long may they live to drive it upon Paymeoch and Tomjoe.
4

The drive it is just below Badger, and everything is working

grand,
With a jolly good crew 01 picked drivers and Ronald Kelley in
commandj
For Ronald is boss on the river, and I tell you he's a man
thafs alive;
He drove the wood off Victoria, now he's out on the main
river drive.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

So now to conclude and to finish, I hope that ye all will agree

In wishing success to all Badger and the A. N. D. Company,
And long may they live for to flourish, and continue to chop,
drive and roll,
And long may the business be managed by Mr. Dorothey and
Mr. Cole.
Mr. Doyle says of this song: "These verses are the composition of Mr. John V.
Devine, one of the most gifted local composers of our own days. To fully appreciate Mr. Devine's songs one must bear Mr. Devine sing them himself, as the
wriler has been privileged to do on several enjoyable occasions at his home in
Stephenville Crossing."

OF

EWFOUNDLAND

32 7

TWIN LAKES
Sung by Norman Welshman, Shoe Cove, 19'9.

As

was

Thinkjog all on

sit - ling

in

my own

co - zy

cor - ner,

a few dol-lars to make. My wil"esays to me,"Wby

_gLkilLJ Wil%@JJ
don't you try sub-bing? Tbey're making good wa-gesup-on tbeT..nnLakcs."

As I was sitting in my own cozy comer,

Thinking all on a few dollars to make,
)fy wife says to me, UVlby don't you try subbing?
They're making good wages upon the Twin Lakes."

The answer I gave, I don't know what about it,

For I don't want the A. J: D. Camp'ny to break,
For I'm afraid they won't find enough money to pay me,
If I gets a month's subbing upon the Twin Lakes.
I started for Twin Lakes late up in November;
The thoughts of the subbing would make your heart ache;
I got home 5Qme firewood, packed up myoid kitbag,
And started right oIT for the shores of Twin Lakes.
I arrived at the camp one fine Sunday evening,
About four o'clock, if I make no mistake;
The bunks were up filled, and I slept on the table,
And that's how I spent my first night on Twin Lakes.

Some men in their sleep were piling up timber,

While others were shouting, "Pass down the short-cake!"
And lots of old gossip I can not remember
The boys they were using upon the Twin Lakes.

328

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

6 I got up next morning in very good humor,

And out in the forepeak a bucksaw to take;
A chance of good timber, I heard in the rumor,
It could not be found on the shores of Twin Lakes.
Then out in the woods, with bucksaw and measure,
And work like a slave, small wages to make;
If you make any money, you'll have to quit subbing;
You'll get no more show on the shores of Twin Lakes.
8 Two dollars they'll pay you for piling up timber,
And then eighteen dollars for board they will take,
And then they will take six dollars for blankets;
And that's how you're soaked on the shores of Twin Lakes.
9 Look at those contractors, see how they will nip you:
They'll keep you right do,yo with their foot on your neck.
If you want a good show and plenty of timber,
Try and keep clear of the shores of Twin Lakes.
ro 0, come all ye young men who are seeking employment;
Take a poor subber's warning, don't make no mistake;
Get aboard the express and go across the island,
And try to keep clear of the shores of Twin Lakes.
II

Come all ye young girls who are seeking a husband;

Take a poor subber's warning before it's too late;
If you want a good home and plenty of money,
Don't marry a subber subs on the Twin Lakes.

r.

Come all ye young peddlers who hang around the counter,

Waiting a poor subber's money to take,
And when you sits down to your fresh pork and cabbage;
Just think of the subber subs on the Twin Lakes.

Most of the lumbering is let out to individuals who do it under contract, and
"subbing Jl means to take a sub-contract. Twin Lakes is in the interior of the
island. The song is full of characteristic Newfoundland vigor and bumor.
t

A pretty good meal compared with salt cod and hardtack!

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

HARRY DUNN
Sung by J\.f.rs. Michael Walsh and Agatha Walsh, Fleur de Lys, [930.
I

There's many a wild Canadian boy who leaved a happy home,

To seek a far employment, to Michigan 1 to roam;
Less than three weeks after, a telegram will come
Saying, II A boy was killed in the lumbering woods. His body
they will send home."

Once I knew a channing lad, his name was Harry Dunn;

His father was a farmer, and Harry the only sou.
He had everything he needed, farm and splendid land,
But he wanted to have a try in the woods of Michigan.
One morning young Harry was going away, his mother to him
did say:
HO Harry dear, don't go away! Home with your parents stay.
Why do you leave your father, your mother, and sisters three?
For something seems to tell me, your face I'll no morc see."
0, Harry started on his way for Buffalo Bay next day;
He hired with some lumbering king from Michigan far away.
He worked away for three long months and often would write
home,
Saying, II Winter will soon be over, and then I'm coming home. II
One morning young Harry rose from his bunkj no smile was
on his browj
He called his chum outside the door, whose name was Charlie
Daw,
Saying, "Charlie dear, I had a dream which fills my heart with
woe.
I'm afraid there's something wrong at homej it's there I'd
better go."

I In its long journey to Newfoundland, this word's pronunciation bas varied to

Mitch-ican. intriguing to American ears.

330

BALLADS AND SEA SO. GS

6 His comrade only laughed at him, which cheered him for a

time:

"Harry dear, there's no time to lose; it's time to fall the pine."

He worked away till one o'clock upon that fatal day,

When a hanging limb came down on him and crushed him to
the clay.
His comrades gathered round him, and broken he was cast:
uQ Charlie dear, I'm dyingj my time has come at last."
0, take me up and carry me down, and send my body borne

Unto my dear old mother. Why should I from her roam?"

8 'Twas early the next morning, when brightly shone the sun,
The men took home the body of poor young Harry Dunn,
And when his mother saw him, she fell dead upon the ground;
With her son she loved so weU, they were both for heavenward

bound.
'Twas Harry's dear old father, he lingered for awhile
And from that day nor after he was never known to smile.

To less than three weeks after they buried the poor old man,
And now the deadly curse is on the woods of Michigan.
We were always trying to find out why such lugubrious songs are remembered

and cherished, so we asked Mrs. Walsb why she liked this one. She said she was
born and raised in the lumbering woods and .fit seemed as if this song had to be,"
i. e. was inevitable because typical" of her memories.
This is almost exactly the same tune as the tune for II Erin's Creen Shore," as
sung us by Mr. Patrick Lewis, also of F1eur deLys. For (CHarry Dunn" see also
Eckstorm and Smyth, pp. 12~J22; Rickaby, No. 26 CIThe Hanging Limb").

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

33'

16 3
YOUNG MONROE
(GARllEY'S

ROCK)

Sung by Dennis Walsh, Fleur de Lys, 1929.

.

t I

mod

~H'"'i"" j J J 1 J~
It

year;

I@

has been up - on

Our

@to
out,

not

J
my

i J J 0J1

were heaped up

rn

bo~

Sun - day, the spring - time

I1J IJ.

J
could

logs

DOIUAN AND AEOLIAN MODES

clear.

moun - tains

r
Th,

be

cried, "Heave

J 8;;;;;pJ J I J. J I
with

hearts

de - void

Ii J. J' J J I~J I J
break the jam from

of the

of

fear,

To

0 J 1 go

Gar- bey's Rock, from Sig - oal

town wc'U steer."

It has been upon a Sunday, the springtime of the year,

Our logs were heaped up mountains high, we could not keep
them clear.
The boss he cried, "Heave Qut, my boys, with hearts devoid of
fear,
To break the jam from Garbey's Rock,! for Signaltown we'll
steer."

0, some of them were willing, while others they held back.j

To work upon a Sunday, they did not think it right.
While six of our Canadian boys they volunteered to go
To break the jam from Garbey's Rock with foreman, young
Monroe.
I

A corruption of "Gerry's Rock."

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

33 2

3 We had not rolled off many logs, the boss to them do say:
"I 'Il have you to be on your guard for the jam will soon break
way."
Those words were scarcely spoken when the jam did break
and go;
It carried off our six brave boys and foreman, young Monroe.
4

All the rest of their brave shanty boys the sad tidings for to
hear,
In search of their lost comrades to the riverside did steer;
In search of their lost comrades, much to their grief and woe,
All crushed and bleeding on the rock lay the head of young
Monroe.

They took him from his watery grave, smoothed down his
curly hair;
There was one fair form amongst them whose moans did pierce
the air;

There was one fair form amongst them, that's the girl from
Signaltown;
Her moans and cries did pierce the skies, for her true love he
was drowned.
6 Miss Clara been a noble girl, likewise the raftsmen's friend;
Her mother been a widow that lived by the river bend.
The wages of her own true love the boss to her did pay,
And a large collection she received from the shanty boys next
day.
Miss Clara did not serve out long, much to her grief and woe;
In less than three weeks after that gave to her a blow;
In less than three weeks after God called on her to go,
And her last dying words were granted, "Please bury me by
1t1onroe."
8 Come all ye true-born shanty boys that love to go to see,Down in little mill-shade all around there grows a limerick
tree;
Down in the little mill-shade all around, true lovyers now lie
low,One is Miss Clara Dennis, and her true-love, young Monroe.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

333

This song originated in :Maine and has proved widely popular. Cox reports that
Lomax has found it among the cowboys of the Southwest, and that Gavin Greig
has found it in Scotland, whither it came via Canada. Cox obtained four excel
lent variants in West VIrginia (No. 51). Oue text was sung us by teo-year-old
Dennis Walsh, who did his best to remember this song h.i5 older cousin bad
brought (rom the lumber camps. His last stanza was too much for our gravity,
and perhaps the reader. a.lso amused, will be interested in Cox's version:
Come all of you bold shanty boys, I would have you call and see
Those green mounds by the river side, where grows the hemlock tree;
The shanty boys cleared off the wood, by the lovers there laid low,
'Twas lhe handsome Clara Vernon, and ber true-love, Jack Monroe.
For other texts see Gray, pp. 1-<); Rickaby, No.2; Sandburg, pp. 394-395; Ed
storm and Smyth print four variants (pp. 82-()O), and Mrs. Eckslorm (pp. 176198) makes a careful study of the history of the ballad) corret:tive of previous
accounts.

334

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

PETER HEMBLY
Sung by John Way. Sandy Cove, 1929.
~1:y name is Peter Hembly,1 as you may understand,
Born on Prince Edward Island, down by the ocean strand;

In eighteen hundred and ninety, when flowers were in brilliant

bloom,
I left my native counteree, my fortune to pursue.
I landed in New Brunswick, that lumbering counteree;
I hired to work in the lumbering woods, which proved my
destiny;
I hired to work in the lumbering woods where they cut tbe

:1

spruce logs down J

And in loading sledges from the earth I received my deathly

wound.
3 There's danger on the ocean where the waves are running high;
There's danger on the battlefield where those angry bullets fly;
There's danger in the lumbering woods where they cut those
spruce logs down.
In loading sledges from the earth I received my deathly wound.
4

Here's adieu unto Prince Edward Isle, those island girls so true!

Long may they reign on that peaceful shore where my first

breath I drew I
The world may roll on just the same when I am passed away;
What signifies a mortal's life when his heart lies in the clay?
Here's adieu unto a nearer friend, my mother dear I mean,

Who reared a son which fell so young, all from her tender care!
But little elid my mother think when she sang that lullaby,
What country I would travel through, or what death I would
elie.
1

For "Emberley" or "Amberley."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

335

Here's adieu unto Prince Edward Isle the garden on the sea!
No more will I watch its Bowery beds or 'cross its middle flee; 1
No more will I watch those lofty ships as they go passing by
'With banners floating on the breeze under a bright and sunny
sky.
And when I'm dead and in my grave, there's one thing more
I'll crave,All for somebody's father to bless my reckless grave.
It's near the city of Boston my mouldering bones do lay,
Awaiting for the Saviour's call on that last great Judgment
Day.
Here's adieu unto my father!

'Twas him that drove me there.

I don't think it's right to press a boy or try to keep him down;
You may force him from his native land when he is far too
young.
Mackenzie (No. 116) prints a more coherent version of this song of the maritime
provinces. See also Gray, pp. 63-69; Eckstorm and Smyth, pp. 98-103; "Barry,
Bulletin oj the Folk-Stmg SocieJy oj the Northeast, No. '2, pp. 1(-12.
I For "watch" read "walk." "No more I'll roam its flowery banks to enjoy a
summer breeze" (Eckstorm and Smyth, B).

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

16 5
HOMEWARD BOUND
Sung by :Mr. Cbarles Hutton, St. Jobn's, 1929.
In mooerale tinu

We're bound to

t.

Pe ter's for

'hac - cy

and

rum, Good

bye, fare ye well, goodbye, fare ye well. We're bound to SL Pe-ter's [or

Ff]: t

J'

1 J J' I r

FFI

'hac - cy and rum, Bur - ray, my bul - Iy boys, home-ward bound'

CuORUS:

'Tis

out

we

are bound and

'tis

out

we

must go,

Good

bye, fare ye wdl, goodbye, fare ye wd.l. 'Tis out we are bound and we

can - not say no, Mur - ray, my bul- Iy boys, east - ward bound.

We're bound to St. Peter's for 'baccy and rum,

Good-bye, fare ye well, good-bye, fare ye well.
We're bound for St. Peter's for 'baccy and rum,
Hurray, my bully boys, homeward bound!
Cilo,us:
'Tis out we are bound and 'tis out we must go,
Good-bye, fare ye well, good-bye, fare ye well.
'Tis out we are bound and we can Dot say no,
Hurray, my bully boys, eastward bound.
See Journal of the Folk-Song Soddy, v, 36; FingerJ Sailor Shanties mid Cowboy
50"gs, p. 13. Cf. tlWe're homeward bound with Chi-nee tea" (W. B. Meloney,
ErJerybody's Magazine, 1915, p. 211).
This melody is an endless one. G. Y. M.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

337

166
SALLY BROWN
Sung by Capt. John Gullage, S. S. Sagtma, 1929.
Recorded by E. B. G.

SIQ"dlly and rhythmically

1@1 J

LJ4ifP

Sal - Iy Brown, come down,

wants you,

l
roll

and

go,

Roll

and

go

I~ J' J i ) IJdd J'

and

ho,

Ay

J Ir

she

rolls

D I)

a-ver,And I'll spend my mon-ey

I

J Ir

you,

Sally Brown, come down, I wants you,

Ay ho, roll and go,
Roll and go, and she rolls me over,
And I'll spend my money on you, Sal Brown.

z Sally Brown was Jim Brown's daughter,

Ay ho, roll and go,
She rolls me over ten times over,
Spend my money on you, Sal Brown.
Capt. Cullage sang the first stanza; the second we pieced together from what the
other men said.
Mackenzie's "Sally Brown" (No. loS) bas nothing similar but the refrain.
See his references for texts, English and American. See Jourtlol oj 1M Folk-Song
Society, v, 43-44i vm, 97; C. Fox Smith, A Book oj Shanties, pp. 20-21; W. B.
Me1oney, ETJcrybody's Magazitlc, 1915, pp. 212, 214. Cf. Hutchison, Jounwl,
XIX, 27 (Upolly Brown").

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

16 7
HAUL ON THE BO'LINE
Sung by Mr. H. W. LeM:esurier and Mr. Charles Hutton,
St. John's, 1929.

ti::i:2Slowly wilk ...,kul ,kylhm

~ J t illFFI J'. } J'. JIll
Haul

Haul

on

the

the

ho'

bo'

Kit - ty burst her tow

line,

....

line,

Haul,

boys,

line,

Haul!

Haul on the ho'line,

Kitty burst her tow-line,
Haul on the ho'line,
Haul, boys, Haul!
This is the SODg used to lighten the labor oC hauling by hand the great blocks
of stone used in building tbe Catholic Cathedral in St. John's, not so many
ago.
See also Colcord, pp. 3-4; Terry, TI,~ Shanty Book, I. 58, No. 29; the Same,
Sailor SIIaJllks. 1St Selection, NO.5. pp. to-II i Davis and Tozer, Sailors' So"gs
or ChanJus, 3d ed., No. 18, p. .lSi Sharp, English Folk-Chollkys, No. 37; L. A.
Smith, The Musu; of tI,~ Wak,.s, pp. 13-14; Bullen and Arnold, Songs oj Sea.
Labollr. No. 37; ShaY,/ron Men and Woodt'n Ships, p. 132; S. H. King, Ki"rs
Book of ShOlJlillS, p. 12; Robert C. Adams, 0" Board th~ URodtt" (Boston,
copyright 1879), pp. 3t0-311; W. B. MeIoney, Eru:rybody's Afago:ille, J91S,
p.216.
Ma.sefie1d (A Sailor's Garla'ld, p. 303), says that this chantey is certainly as
old as the reign of Henry VIll," but be offers no proof. Doubtless he is relying
on a passage in Tiu Complayul of Scotland, 1549 (ed.. Murray, pp. 40-41), but
this passage, though it affords abundant evidence that chanteys were in use and
specifies some of them, gives"Hail out the bollene" as an order- not as a
chantey.

}'ea.n,

l{

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

339

168
JOLLY POKER
Rev.
~

J. T. Richards, Flowers' Cove, 1929.

lVilhspirit

~f$j1=tfj'dII
And it',

tfJ'i

my jol-ly

l J' II Et4$1

pok. u And we'll starlthis beav-y

jolt - er, And

J
it's

my

jol. Iy

pok

IJ

er-

01

And it's 0 my jolly poker

And we'll start this heavy joker,
And it's 0 my jolly poker - 01
Used to haul houses across the ice, boats on the land, and all kinds of heavy
pulling. The men line up on the rope, sing this in unison, pull on the last "01"
and repeal until the job is done. Joanna Colcord calls this "Johnny Boker,"
<la shon-drag shanty" used for furling sails, and for sheets and taw. Her tunc
(RoU and Go, p. 5) is the same, with slight variation in second line (words different). See also Journal of the Folk-Sotlf Soddy. v.Jf3; Terry, The Shanly Book,
J.SS. No. 27; tbe Same,SaiJor SlwnJiu, 2d Selection. pp. 10-11, NO.5; Davis and
Tozer, SaibJrs' 50nl$'0' Clwnliu, Jd ed., No. 33. p. 64; L. A. mhh. Tlte Music
oJlJJe Wakrs,p. 14; hay, Iron Mn and Wootku Ships, p. 97; Whall, Sc.o SO"ls
ami Slum/iu. 6th ed., p. 146j Bullen and Arnold, Songs oj Sro Labour, No. J8j
Sharp. English Folk-CJwnkys, No. 40j S. H. King. King's Book oJClwnliu, p. JJj
Robert C. Adams, Ou Boord IJu" Rockel" (Boston, copyright 1879). p. 3J 2. The
chantey seems to be the first half of the tune used for ballads about sea-fights,uThe CO'l-Slittdio,~ and the Gllurirt" (RoU and Go, p. 65) and "The Chesa
ptake and the ShamJO" " (Finger, p. 159).

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

16 9
PREITY JESSIE OF THE RAILWAY BAR

Sung by Charles Willis, Fogo, 1929.

I

'Twas at the railroad station in pursuit of my vocation,

I saw a tall and 'andsome girl who stood behind the bar;
I heard someone call her Jessie, p'raps 'twas Mrs. Pon de
Lessie,

And her diamond eyes were twinkling just like the evening
star.

I found this pretty dame made love to all that came,

In a quiet sort of way with her eyes so soft and bright;
She had lovers half a score, always someone to adore,
From the first train in the morning till the last train out
at night.

Spoken: Yes, her admirers were,

CIIb,lIs: A tinker and a tailor,

A soldier and a sailor,

And a swell that used to talk about his pa and his ma,
A butcher and a baker,
A quiet-looking Quaker,
All courted pretty Jessie at the railway bar.
2

Now this darling little creature, with a smile on every feature,

Was serving all the customers with cake and bitter beer,

And that was on a Monday, so I asked her if on Sunday

If she'd meet me at the Par' Gate, when she gave me such
aleerj

0, this she said to me, "Most happy I should be,

But I'm sorry to inform you that it's not my Sunday out;
One Sunday out of nine, it's the only day that's mine."

And then she had to leave me for to serve a glass of stout,

Spok.,.: But she never informed me that on private Sundays

she had walked out with
Chorus.

HOUSE~MoV1NO BY ;:\IAN-POWER A~O So:-oO

He:rringN~ck

OF NEWFOUNDlAND
Sun, u..ith mDrk~4 acctnJs 0,,4 rapidly
~

(}

It. J ISS

341

J' J' 1SS J' J'I oJ i 11 1t

J'I

"Twas at the rail-road sta-lionin pur-suit or my vo-ca.-tioo, I

I~. J' J J' J' I' S rnt3 -J' J' IL@

saw

tall and 'and-some girl who stood be - bind the bar; I heard

8.

~S J' J' Ie

c t:LloJ"=t=~
t lllL~1

aome-onecall her ]es-sie,p'raps'twas"Mrs.

Pon de Les-sie,And her

~LIt:t1t ;L&J'tT1
dill - mond eyes were twink.-Iing just

I~'
rt

0 J'

found this pret - ty

dame made

lov - ers haH a

I~'

in

the eve - ning star. I

love

the mom-ing

&. l

dote, From the

till the last train out

night.

tail-or, A 1lO1-dier and a

And a :swell that used to

talk

0 J' )'1;

butch-er

and

bak -

J' lor J'

a - bout his

pa and

r 'it
el.

All court-ed pret-ty Ja-sic at

his

tlll

qui - ct-look-ing

~ J' IJ' J' J ll)' J' Z'. } I)

Quak-er,

at

l~ttttl.J.WI

If'rlo
ma.

0":'\

f4LLgtlibl' J' J' J' I' 0

rt

Jl Jll
In

soft and bright; She had

50

(SpdM) Yes, her admirers were, A tink-er and a

sail- Of,

that c:ame.

all

to

score, al- ways some-one to

CsORtl'S:

1~ .

t .J 1

way with her eyes

qui - et sort of

first train

like

J'I~"t

) I J. II

the railway

bar.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

34~

3 It's belter late than never; so I thoup;ht that I was clever,

To get Jessie dear to meet me when it was her Sunday out.
With my hair curled and anointed, at the time and place
appointed,
I was there to the minute and began to look about.
And when my Jessie came, my heart was in a flame,
I saw her waterfall and her bonnet trimmed so gay.
She politely took my arm; I admired her every charm,
And judge to my surprise when I heard those little boys
say,

Speken: .. I s'y, Bill, if there ain't Jessie out with another swell.
I've seen her out with

CIu>rus.
4 Now my confidence was shaken, and I thought the boys mistaken,
And my modesty would not permit to ask if it were true.
I proposed and she accepted, in a manner unohjected,
And the tears she shed completely hid from me her eyes of
blue.
I sent her a wedding dress, fit for an emperess,
And saw the porter give it her while serving at the bar;
But on my wedding day, pretty Jessie ran away,
She got married to the man that sold the Herald at the Star.

S paken: And all I had to say for myself was, she had taken in
beside myself

Chorus.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

343

Sung by Samuel Roberts, Sally's CoveJ 192:0.

Recorded by E.. B. G.

;'IJ lEY
Twas the tink - er

and the tail - or And the sol - dier and the

I@~b F C J ilj4J;;J'IJ J J
sail- or, And the swclilhal used to

talk

)tggI

a-bout his

pa

and his

~I J J'r s IR#lltt@i$tJ
rna; 'Twas the butch-er and the bak -er And the charm-ing-look - ing

~ C

~
J 112 J'J ilJ pr ;I~

Quak-er. They aU court-ed pret- ty Jes - sic at

the rail-way bar.

CluwJts: 'Twas the tinker and the tailor

And the soldier and the sailor,
And the swell that used to talk about his pa and his rna;
'Twas the butcher and the baker
And the charming-looking Quaker,
They all courted pretty Jessie at the railway bar.

I asked ber if on Sunday

She would take a walk on Monday,
Spoken: And I'm darned if it wasn't a walkl Just down to
the tum and back again.
Chorus.

I bought this wedding dress,

Fit for an emperess,
And as I walked out west,
Spoken: I'm darned if I didn't see Jess of! with some other
swell
CJw,us.

BALLADS A D SEA SONGS

344

'Twas on our wedding day f

Pretty Jessie ran away.
She got married to the man that stole the standar' and
the star.
Spoken: And all the consolation I bad was knowing bow many
more beside me'self she had took in.
Clwrus.
This is the old music-hall favorite "Jessie. the Belle at (or of) the Bar." See
Di/Jrosc's Nt::JJ Comi& Sonl Book, London, p. 13. It is not uncommon in American song books: see Tony Pastor's 201 BOU'tryStmgsltT. copyright 1867. pp. 1520; The FttlO'lD tha' Looks Like Me SOl/Isler, copyright 1867. pp. 7"""'9j The Irish
Boy's Retl/m Songster, copyright 1868, pp. 33-35; The TctJ Cell' "Clodoche"
Songster, copyright 1869, pp. 34-35; The Velocipede Songsk" copyright 1869.
p. 6; Kelly&- Lam's IChint-Chuw-Hil' SOllgster, copyrighll870, p. 56; Wehman
broadside No. 582. Shoemaker, pp. 80-81, prints the piece as liThe Trainman's
Song!'
Mr. \Villis, who sang A in 1929. said that he bad known the song for about
forty years. Version B is an example of two processes in the diffusion of folksongs-condensation retaining the story but not alltbc lines, and transfer of
song from one region to another througb association of singers at labor. Sam
Roberts learned this in the lumber camp, wbere boys from all parts of the island
meet in the bunk-houses and exchange songs.

OF NEWFOUNDU\ND

345

17
LO GEST NAME SONG
Words from Mr. Charles Earle, tune from Mrs. Fred Earle, Change
Island and Fogo, 1929.
1

My father and mother were excellent folks;

They spent half their time in practical jokes;
And when I was born they were both of one mind, They said I should have all the names they could find;
So they considered as wise as could be,
And this is the handle they stuck onto me:
Chorus:

Jonathan, Joseph, Jeremiah,

Timothy, Titus, Obadiah,
William, Henry, Walter, SimI
Reuben. Rufus, Solomon, Jim,
Nathaniel, Daniel, Abraham,
Roderick, Frederick, Peter, Sam,
Hyman, Tyman, Nicholas Tat,
Christopher, David, Jehosaphal.
2

I joined the societies there in the town i

My name on the rolls it was all written down j
The clerk in the meeting was calling the roll;
'When he got through my name, there wasn't a soul
For to wait for the ending, they were all so vext,
They said they'd go home and come back. for the next.

When I came to get married, the case was as bad;

The parson stared at mc, be thought I was mad:
uThat your parents denied you a sensible name,"
Said he, "young man, that 's a very great shame;
But we'll say nothing more, for reasons of mine,
But you'll have to get married a bit at a time."
A variant of a once popular music-hall song, U Jonathan, Joseph. Jeremiah."
See, for example. Harry BaktoiWs ..lmtriro's Own Comit/ltC Songsla' (New York,
A. J. Fisher, copyright 1878), p. 28.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

LAUGHI G SONG
Suog by Mrs. Fred Earle, Fogo l 1929.

As I was walking down the street,

I heard the people say:

"Here comes the laughing jackass,

And he's coming down this way;
His face is like a white-washed fence,
His mouth is like a trap,
And every time he opens it,
He shows an awful gap."

ChtJrus:
Ha, ha ha ha ha ha, ha, ha, ha,
Ha, ha, etc.
The tune is like the verse of

SolomoD Levi. II

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

YOUNG CHARLOITE
Communicated by Mrs. Maude Roberts Simmonds, Glenburnic,
Bonne Bay, 1930.
I

Young Chadotte lived by a mountain side

In a lonely dreary spot;

There was no house in five miles off
Except ber father's cot.
2

There's many a dark and stormy night

Young swains do gather there;

Her father kept a social board

And she was young and fair.
He longed to see his daugbter dressed
As gay as a city belle;
It was the only child he had,
And he loved his daughter well.
Last New Year's Eve, as the sun went down,
She sat with her restless eye,

A-gazing out of those frozen panes

As the merry sleighs wen t by.
A villa.ge of fifty miles away.
There was a merry ball that night;

Although the air was piercing cold,

Her heart was wann and light.

6 How gladly was those gleaming eyes,

When his well-known voice she heard,
Come driving up to her father's door,
Young Charles in his sleigh appeared.

"0 daughter dear/' her mother did say,

"Those blankets around you fold;
For it's a dreadful night abroad,

You'll catch your death

0'

cold."

347

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

ao, no, mama!"

young Charlotte cried,

As she smiled like a gypsy queen,
"To ride in blankets all muffied up
I never will be seen.
9

U I have a new silken cloak

Lined, you know, throughout;
Beside, I've a new silken shawl
For to wrap my neck about,"

10

As the cloak. went on and the shawl round her neck,

As she jumped into the sleigb,
Away they drove over mountains high
And over the hil.ls away.

I I

As bells and music were ringing,

And over the hills we go,
What a squeaking noise those runners make
As they cut the frozen snow!

12

"Such another night I never did spend.

These reins I can scarcely hold,"
Young Charles spoke with a feeble voice,
"I am exceedingly cold."

13 He cracked his whip and hurried his team,

More faster than before;
There's five more long and dreary miles
In silence they drove o'er.

14 "Hold fast! Hold fast!" young Charles cried,

As the ice gathered on his brow;
Young Charlotte spoke with a feeble voice,
I 'm growing warmer now."
(I

Barry has found that this song was composed by W. L. Carter of Benson, Vt.,
soon after the tragedy occurred and before 1833 (Jounzal, XXII, 367, 442; xxv,
156--168j d. XXlll, 442-443). Besides Barry's texts, see Cox, No. 80, Mackenzie, No. 60; Rickaby, pp. 135-138; Dean, pp. 57-58j Shoemaker, pp. 75-78;
Lomax, Cowboy Songs, pp. 239-242j Pound, pp. 103-108; Hudson, No. 45i
Finger, Frontier Ballads, pp. 1I!r123i Flanders and Brown, pp. 35-38j Shay,
My Pious Friends, pp. 120-124; Sandburg, pp. 58-59; Vance Randolph, Ozark
Life, VI (1930), II. The Newfoundland variant Jacks the conclusion.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

349

173
THE FLYING CLOUD
Sung by Stephen White, Sandy Cove, 1929In tmJdt1'ate tinu

I~~~ 1

>

J IpJ

'Twas drink - ing

and

Which made a

bad

Now pray take

I~~ J.

youth,

n,

ware

warn - ing of

u
of

pi

'Twas drinking and bad company

Which made a wretch of me.
Now pray take warning o[ my sad youth,

My parents reared me tenderly

Beware of piracy.

In the [ear o[ God likewise;

My father bound me to a cooper,
His name was William Brown.

I haven't served my master

Past eighteen months or more

When I shipped on board the Ocean Que"'_

Bound [or Baltimore.
4 I walked through Baltimore;
I met with Captain Moore,

Commanded the ship, the Flying Cloud;

She belonged to Baltimore.
She was so fine and smart a ship
As ever sailed the seas,
Or ever spread her maintopsail

Unto a lively breeze.

<y.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

35

I've often seen that noble bark,

When the wind is 'baft her beam,

With the royal stun' sails sot aloft,

Taking sixteen from the reel.
Her sails is white as the driving snow 1
On them there is no speck;
Was eighteen brass nine-pounder guns

She carries on her deck.

8 Her iron chest and magazine
Was filled and stowed helow;
She lugged Long Tom between her masts,
With a swivel do she go.
9 We sailed over the briny waves
And landed on the shore;

Three hundred of these poor souls

From their countree we tore.
10

We bound them down on board the hark

And stowed them down below;
It's eighteen inches square to each -

That's all they had to stow.

n

12

We weighed our anchor, stood to sea,

With our cargo of slaves;
'Twas better then for those poor souls
They should he in their graves.
A plague and fever came on board,
Swept hali of them away;

Their bodies we had hrought on deck

And throw into the sea.
J3

We sailed over the Atlantic waves

And landed on Cayover shore;
We sold them to a planter here;

14

Unto the dry and cotton fields,

They're slaves forevermore,

Beneath the scorching SUD,

To drag along a 'weary life,

Till their course was run.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
'S

Five hundred dollars in bright gold

Was paid down to each manTo see at what a bald price
As human beings was sold I

16 Five hundred dollars in bright gold

Was paid down to each man;
So quick we'll spend in Cayover,
As soon as we would land.
17

And now our money it is all out,

We went on board again;

Captain Moore called us on deck,

And said to us, U My men,
18

"There's gold and money to be had

By rovers on the sea.
I'll soon show you au t again J
If you'll consent with me."

19 They all agreed excepting five,

Which we told them to land;
Two of them were Boston men
And two from Newfoundland,

.0 The other was an Irishman,

Belonging to Tremore.
I wish to God I'd joined those men
And went with them on shore.
2I

..

If you'll agree, then come with me,

And with me now remain."
We run aloft the pirate flag
And scoured the Spanish Main.
If

We was often chased by men-of-war,

And likewise frigates too,
But to overtake the Flying Cloud
Was a thing they could not do.

'3 We was often chased by men-of-war,

Whose cannon loud do roar,

But to overtake the Flying Cloud

Was more than they could do.

35'

35 2

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

24

Until a Spanish seventy-four,

The Dunger, hove in view;
She fired a shot across our bow,
A signal to heave to.

25

We didn't seem to mind it much,

But run before the wind,
When a chain-shot struck our mizzenmast
And we soon fell behind.

26

We cleared our decks for action;

Then she ranged up 'longside;
So quickly upon our deck
There Bowed a crimson tide.

27

We fought till Captain Moore was k.iIled,

And ninety of our men,
Then a bomb-shell start our ship on fire;
Vole had to surrender then.

28

'Twas in Havana we were towed

And tried for piracy;
Condemned we was hy Spanish law,
To die on the gallows tree.

29

The same I've lived, the same I've told,

And that one thousand times.
I bope God will reward you
For your dark and dismal crimes.

30

'Tis true we made 'em walk the plank

And give them watery grave.
Be true unto what your captain say:
II A dead man tells no tales."

UThe Flying Cloud" holds an honored place among sea ballads. Its tale of bygone glory of ships and ruthlessness of men is sung so vi,,;dly, with so much
emotion, yet so unsentimentally. that it strongly affects hearers, especially
young people. Joanna Colcord, RoU a,ul Go, p. 73. says, "This song probably
dates from somewhere between the years 1819 and 1825, when the WesL Indies
were finally cleared of pirates by the joint efforts of the United StaLes and
several of the European naval powers. Before this date, according to Spear
(The Ameriam Sla"M Trade, p. IJI)/Pirates swarmed over the West Indian seas,
and their doings were justly believed to be, in many cases, chargeable Lo the

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

353

slave trade. The slavers turned pirates and the pirates turned slavers, as occasion .....arranted.' This was the era when Baltimore stood Lhird of all American
ports as a shipping center. OJ She adds that neither the Flyi711 Clolm Dor Captain
Moore bas been identified. The name of the hero, omitted in the e",1oundland
copy, is variously given in American and Scottish variants as Willie (or William)
or Edward or Henry Hollander (Hollinder), Edward Hallahan (Holleran). See
references in Mackenzie (NO.1 I I), whose Nova Scotia text calls him Robert
Anderson. Add Eckstorm and Smyth, pp. 214-:216; Finger, pp. 84-81; Belden
MS., Harvard College Library, lxiv.

354

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

174BOLD McCARTHY
Sung by Phillip Major, Sally's Cove, 1929.
I

Come all ye true-born Irishmen, come listen to what I'll tell,

Concerning Bold McCarthy at Liverpool did dwell.
Down by a western dock one day McCarthy chanced to stroll
On board of a western ocean boat, the City of Baltimore.

As we sailed down the river one day, for New York we was
boundThis Irish lad been bound away far from his native home;
This Irish lad been bound away far from his native shore,
On board of a western ocean boat, the City of Baltimore.
So early every morning our mate he called his crew;
So early every morning he would put his sailors through:
"Where is that slob of an Irishman?" our mate he would say,
HO, here lam!" McCarthy cries. "What do you want afme?

CIIt's true I am an Irishman, the truth I won't deny;

Before I'll be put down by you, it's on our deck I'll die;
And if you're a man of courage bold, itls me you III stand beforej
I'll fight you here upon the deck of the City of Baltimore."
'Twas with an iron belaying pin at McCarthy he 'did ran,
McCarthy been a smart young man l soon laid him in his gorej
There was bloody murder upon the deck of the City of Baltimore.
Our first mate and our boatswain came to their mate's retreat j
McCarthy with a handspike soon made them to retreat,
And when his Irish blood did boil l it was like a lion he did roar;
H I'll sweep her deck from fore to aft, the City oj Baltimore."
Our captain was a Scotchman I MacDonald was his name,
And when he heard what McCarthy'd done l straight forward
then he came;
He took McCarthy by the hand, sayingl "Do not fight any more.
I'll make you an officer on my shipl the City oj Baltimore."

OF

EWFOUNDLAND

355

175
JOHN MORRISSEY AND THE BLACK
Sung by Edward Wiseman, Fortune Harbour, (929.
I

Come all ye bold Irishmen, listen to me,

Till I sing you the praises 01 John ~Iorrissey,

Have lately been challeoged lor teo thousand pound
For to fight Sam the Black, Irom Melbourne town.
2

At six in the morning the battle began;

Those two champions stripped oIT and jumped in the ring.
"Take off your helt," 0, the Black he did say,
"0 r else your life I will take in the ring this day."

John Morrissey in the ring like a hear he do bawl,

Saying, "Here lies the bones of an Irishman here.
He was Dever yet conquered by black, white, or brown;

Well-known to his country and Irish all round.

"No, 'tis neither for bravery my country disowns,
This day I'U have to beat all his worth aD me bones,"
From the third, fourth, and fifth rounds, from that to the sixth,
\Vhen :Morrissey received seven bloW's on the belt.
0, from that to the fourteenth, severely knocked down,

Wheo Morrissey broke his lelt thumb on the ground,

And the blood down his ears did run down his back,
And the Ioreigners all thought he'd be killed by the Black.

6 "Refreshments, refreshments I" John Haney, his second, be cried.

II

No refreshments,

DO

refreshments!" John Morrissey replied.

From tbat to the tweoty-eighth round severely knocked down,

Wheo he ran to the Black with a mightylul stroke
And he lelt him lor dead with three ribs 01 him broke.
Now the battle is over, and Morrissey have won,

And the Irish all cheer him whilst leaving the ring.
There'~

never such cheering yet nor since been seen

As there was on that day 01 Old Erin's green.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

8 Here's a bealth to John Morrissey, aod long may be reign!
He conquered those bruisers from over the main;
He's a true Irish hero, was never yet put down;
He belongs to Tipperary, from Templemore town.
See Mackenzie, No. 136. For the celebrated prizefighter, gambler, M. C. [rom
New York, State Senator, and political boss, John Morrissey (1831-1878), see
Kittredge's note in Rickaby, p. 226. Cf. R. Crouse, Mr. Currier and Mr. [fles,
1930, Chap. XI (with a picture of Morrissey) and a humorous paper by Artemus
Ward (1859) reprinted by Don C. Seitz, Artemus Ward, I, 48-50.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

357

17 6
THE THREE OLD JEWS
Sung by James Day, Fortune Harbour, 1929.

Once

on

time there were three old

time there were three

I@'

old

Jews,

Jews,

Three old

Once

]ews.lews. Jews,

all J' 313 ':113 ; 113 J IJ 0

Three old ]ews,jews,]ews,Once on a tune there were three old Jews.

I

Once on a time there wefe three old Jews,

Once on a time there were three old Jews,
Three old Jews, Jews, Jews,
Three old Jews, Jews, Jews,
Once on a time there were three old Jews..

And the first Jew's name was Abereham,

And the first Jew's name was Abcreham,
A-ber-e-ham, ham, bam,
Abcr-e-ham, ham, ham,
And the first Jew's name was Abereham.
And the second Jew's name was I-sick, sick,
And the second Jew's name was I-sick, sick,
I-sick, sick, sick, sick,
I-sick, sick, sick, sick,
And the second Jew's name was I-sick, sick.

4 The third man's name was Ja-cub, cub,

The third man's name was Ja-cub, cub,
Ja-cub, cub, cub, cub,
Ja-cub, cub, cub, cub,
And the third man's name was la-cub, cub.

35 8

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

And they went down to Jericho,

And they went down to Jericho,
Jer-i-cho, cho, cho,
Jer-i-cho, tho, tho,

And they went down to Jericho.

And they buried them in the cold, cold clay,
And they buried them in the cold, cold clay,
Cold, cold, clay, clay, clay,
Cold, cold, clay, clay, clay,

And they buried them in the cold, cold, clay,

And that put an end to the three old Jews,
And that put an end to the three old Jews,
Three old Jews, Jews, Jews,
Three old Jews, Jews, Jews,

And that put an end to the three old Jews.'

The Rev. J. T. Richards of Flower's Cove knew this song thus;
First four stanzas as above, then:
(5) They all went down to Jerusalem.
(6) Why did n't they go to Jericho?

(,) The first one died was Abraham.

(8) The second one died was I-saae.
(9) The third one died was Ja-cob.
(ro) As above. st. 6.
(11) As above, st. 7.
I

If

Pack-carriers:'

laYS

Jimmie Day,

the peddlers on t.he hills.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

177
CALIFORNIA

BROTHERS

(THE DYING CALIFORNIAN)

Recited by Mrs. Isaac Mercer, St. John's, 1929.
I

Lay up nearer, brother, nearer,

For my limbs are growing cold,

And thy presence seemeth dearer
As thy arms around me fold.
2

I am dying, surely dying,

But my bopes in God are strong,
And I'm willing, brother, knowing
That He doeth notbing wrong.
Listen, brother, cateb eaeb whisper,
I bave sometbing I would say,
Ere the veil my vision darkens

As I go far bence away.

4 Tell my mother, God assist her
Now, for she is growing old,
And her son would fain have kissed her
Ere his lips grew pale and cold.
Listen, brother, catch each whisper,
'Tis my wife I speak. of now;

TelI,O tell her bow I missed her,

When the fever burned my brow.
6 Tell her she must kiss my cbildren
Like the kisses last embrace,
Hold them as when last I held them,
Hold them closely to her breast.

o my cbildren, heaven bless them!

They were all the world to me.
Would I could once more embrace them,
Ere I sink beneath the sea I

359

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

8 'Twas for them I crossed the ocean;
What my hopes I will not tell;
They have gained an orphan's portion,
But He doeth all things well.
9 Tell my father when you meet him,
That in death I prayed for him,
Prayed that I would one day meet him
In a world that's free [rom sin.
10

Tell my sister I remember

Every kindly parting word,
And my heart has been kept tender
With the thoughts their mem'ry stirred.

II

Tell me I'll ne'er reach the haven,

Where we sought the precious dust,

But I've gained a port called heaven,
Wbere the gold will never rust.
12

Hark, I hear my Saviour calling,

'Tis His voice I know full well;
\Vhen I'm gone, 0, don't be weeping,
Brother J here's my last farewell.

"This poem was nrst printed in the New E1Jg/atuJ Diadem, and RJlOde Island
TemperGllU Pkdge. Providence, Rhode Island, February 9, 1850 (Vol. V, No.6).
It is marked "For the New England Diadem lJ and has the following title:

IlLines. Suggested on hearing read an extract of a letter from Capt. Chase, con
taming the dying words of Brown Owen, who recently died on his passage to
California. 1I In tbesame newspaper lor March 2, 18so (Vol. V, NO.9) it is" re

published by particular request." In or about 1855 the poem was published by

Ditson (copyright 18SS) as "The Dying Californian or The Brother's RequestBallad - Poetry from the New England Diadem - Music by A. L. Lee"
(Harvard College Library), and it is still (or was recently) in Ditson's list."
(Kittredge.) It was reprinted in many songbooks ("'" Journol, xxxv, 365) and
has been found in oral circulation in the Southern and Western states. See Cox,
No. 49 (with references)j d. Pound, ]ourlUJ1, JOCVl, 359, and AmeriaJn BaUads
otul Songs, ~o. goj Hudson, No. 60.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

17 8
YOUNG JIMMY AND THE OFFICER
Sung by Mrs. Tom White, Jr., Sandy Cove, 1929.
I

Come all ye tender Christians, come listen to what I say;

It's of an aged couple who bad one only son j
It's of an aged couple who had one only SOD, He'll be shot as he deserved when the battle it is won.

A week before he went away, his mother to him did say:

flJTwQuld be the breaking of my heart to see you going away j
You know you are my only SOD, my joy and only boy.
The Lord return you home again, my own dear soldier boy!"
A week. before he went away, he was proper tall and thin,
His eyes were of the lighter blue and dark brown was his hair,
His eyes were of the lighter blue and dark brown was his hair,
For the honor of his country he was not afraid to die.

4 He scarce had gone a week from home when a letter he received;

The letter bad been sent to him, and deep black. was its seal;
He quickly tore it open, the tears which caught his eyes:
II Come home, come home, dear Jimmy, once more before I
dies."
liTo slight a dying mother is more than I can bearj
Before this night is to an end at your bedstead I'll draw near."
/tI'm glad to see you home again, my own dear soldier boy;
I'm glad to see you home again, my own dear soldier boy."
6 He scarce had time to 'brace again when a footstep he did hear;
Turning 'round to know the reason why, when an officer appeared:
"Look here, you cowardly rascal, from the battlefield you've
runj
You'll be shot as you deserved when the battle it is won."

Turning to the officer, f'Take care, sir, what you say!

You see my dying mother on her dying deathbed lay.
I don't care if you shoots me, I'll never leave her side,
Until she do recover or in her grave she lie."

36'2

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

8 He called his men around me, and bound me right away;

He carried me to a guardroom where many have been before;
He carried me to a guardroom where many have been before,
Tom from my dearest mother, from her JIll see no more.
9 The officer that brought me here, he swore away my life,
Thinking that he'd gain Mary after I'm dead and gooe,
Thinking that he'd gain Mary after I'm dead and gone;
So true she was to Jimmy J yes, truer than the sun.
10

"Come, shoot this cowardly rascal, no more of his talk hear."

They nred and shot young Jimmy, a hullet pierced his heart.

11

The officer accordingly to Mary straight did go:

ltI've shot that cowardly rascal was the cause of all my woe."
"Was it you that shot my Jimmy? And I to be his bride!"
She fired and shot the officer, and he fell down by ber side.

Mackenzie has this (No. t17) under the titJeof "Wben the Battle it was Won."
His copy lacks the last three stanzas of this text, and has Lhe last line of the tint
stanza better: II He'll be shot as a deserter (instead of "as be deserved '') wben
the battle it was won."

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

179
WHILE THE BOYS I r BLUE WERE
FIGHT! G

Sung by Peter Abbou, Twillingate, 1929I

While the boys in blue were figbting

Upon the battlefield,
VvlIen the cry from our brave captain,
"Look, boys, OUf flag is down!
\\'ho 11 volunteer to save it from disgrace?"
U

I will," a young boy shouted,

fir will bring it hack. or die!"

And be sprang into the thickest of the fray.

To save the flag be gave his young life,
All for his counteree i
He brought it back and they softly beard him say:
Chorus:

UGo break the Dews to mother;

Sbe knows bow dear I loved bel;
And tell her not to weep for me,
For 1 'm not coming home.
Just say there is no other
Can take the place of mother,
And kiss her dear sweet lips for me,
And break the news to her. U

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

Sung by

Jack Taylor,

r9'9. on board the S. S. Clyde

While shot and shell WeIe screaming

Upon the battlefield,
Our boys in blue WeIe fighting
Theil noble flag to shield,
Came a cry from our brave captain:
HLook, boys, our Bag is down!
Who'll volunteer to save it from disgrace?"

III will," a young boy shouted,

"I will bring it back or die!"
And he sprang into the thickest of the fray,
Saved the flag, but gave his young life,
All for his country's sake;
They brought him back and softly heard him say,

CIw,us: (As in A.)

OF NEWFOUNDLAND
180

FLORELLA
Sung by Mrs.

J. D. Clark of Springdale, La Scie, 1929.

r Down in a lonely valley,

Where the violets gently bloom,
There lies our lone FIorella

So silent in tbe tomb.

2

She died not broken-hearted,

Nor of sickness did she fall,
But in one moment parted

From the friends she loved so well.

3 One evening the moon shone brightly
Soft o'er hill and dale,
Unto this maiden's cottage
Her jealous lover came.
4

"FIorella, let us wander

Down by yon meadow gay;
There we will sit and ponder
Upon our wedding day."

The way was dark and dreary;

The night was coming on j

Into the lonely valley

He led his maiden on.

6 "0 Edward, I am tired

Of wandering here alone;

The night is cold and dreary,

I pray you take me home."
"You have not the wings of an eagle
Nor from me can you fly;

No earthly soul can hear you,

You instantly must die."
8 Down on her knees she bended,
Begging him for her life,
When in her snowy bosom

He plunged the gleaming knife.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

9 "0 Edward, I'll forgive you
With my last dying hreath.
I never have deceived you,
As I close my eyes in death."
10

Down on his knees he bended,

Crying, "What have I done?
I've murdered my love FIorella,

II

Down in a lonely valley,

Where the violets gently bloom,
There lies our lone FIorella,
Forgotten in the tomb.

Sure as the rising sun I"

Recorded by Barry from Concord, N. H. (Journal, XXII, 370-372) with a tune

which reminds one of the Newfoundland tune and with another tune having
similar sequence of notes, but in 2/4 rhythm. See Cox, No. 38, for other texts
and for information about the murder of Pearl Bryan, 18<)6, with whom the
FIorella of this song has been identified in some versions. Add Henry,Journal,
XLII, 280-281. 301-303i Finger, p. 81; Flanders and Brown, pp. sQ-6o; HudSOD, No. 46j Richardson, pp. 30-31j Shoemaker, pp. 60-62, 206-207; Combs,
pp. 23-24; Allsopp, Folklore oj RonumJic Arka,zsas, II, 204.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

nf La. ESOME

CE MY "laTHER DIED

Sung by Mrs. Tom White.1r., Sandy Co"'e, 1929.

One day I strayed away (rom home;

I sat down by a whitewashed door,

\Vhen sparkles came into my eyes
"'nen I thought on my mother dear.
CJwrus:

If I could only call her back,

Once more to sit down by her side,

I would like her better than before j
1 'm lonesome since my mother died.
2

:My father he got married twice;

A stepmother he did bring in;
She beat me and she turned me out,
When I speaks of my mother dear.

At night when I go to my bed,

I kneel down on my bended knees
And pray (or the one that I love best;

Is my mother - she's in her lonely grave.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

THE FATAL WEDDING

Recited by :Mrs. Ha.yes of St. John's on board the S. S. Sagona, 1929.

"The Fatal Wedding. Descriptive Waltz Song. Words by Wm. H. Windom.

Music by Gussie L. Davis" was published in sheet-music form, copyright 1&)3,
by Spaulding, Komder & Co. "Sung by Geo. Cave, the Eminent Basso" (New
York., Spaulding & Gray). The Newfoundland text is well preserved and need
not here be reproduced. since t.he song is familiar and accessible. See Pound,
No. 63; Hudson. No. 56; Belden MS., Harvard College Library, xnvili;
Spaeth. Read 'em and Wup, pp. 172-J74.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

THE ROVI G NEWFOUNDLANDERS

Sung by Thomas Enda.cott, Sally's Cove, 1929.
Recordedb,E. B.G.

Slwly

MA}OIl A.~.o MJXOLYDlAN MODES

J J J J I)' J " J'I J J' J #11 J. " JsI

,.. ADd now my song iA cnd - ed,

I think 1 have done well,

My

Fi:#=:
~. J J 4J' J " llr
birth-place and

my Ita-lion

I'm try. ing for to

~j ! J'J JslF' F SIF

spoke of tv - er - y

tP8

na - lion, I've free - Jy won my

tell.

I've

race.

JslJ' J " J' I ~ i J ~: lITH

Kew-foundl&od.u

Be -longs tD Mar - bour Grace.

As I was setting in my homestead one day while all alone,

I was thinking of my countrymen and where they had to roam,
From England to America, Australia and Japan,
Where'er you go you'll surely find a man from Newfoundland.

They're the pride of every country. good fortune on them smile!

They climbed the heights of Alma,' they crossed the river Nile,
They sailed unto Vancouver, you'll find it on the roll,
And on the expedition went nearest to the Pole.
It's way out in South Africa where hogs they stand so high,
They used their guns and bayonets the Boers for to destroy,
\Vhere cannons roar like thunder destructions on the plain
You sons of Terra Toval you fought for England's fame.
I

Al.-tJ - in the Crimean War.

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

37
4

'Twas Nelson at Trafalgar the victory did gain,

The Americans fought the Spaniards for blowing up the Maine;

Sbe sunk with all of her gallant crew, that gay and gallant band,
They're sleeping i.n their watery graves like sons of Newfound-

land.
When my mind been bent on roaming, 'tis something sad to tell
Out in the mines of Cuba one of my comrades fell.
His age had scarce been twenty-one, just entered in full bloom,
On the eighteenth day of June was summoned to his tomb.

6 They sailed the Mediterranean, I've beard the clergy tell,

They went out into Egypt, from that to Jacob's Well,
They've fished the Northern and Grand Banks from every hole
and knap,'

Tbey are the tyran15 of the sea, they fished the Flemish Cap.'
And now my song is ended, I t.hi.nk I have done well,
My birthplace and my station I'm trying for to tell.
I've spoke of every nation, I've freely won my race,
I am a Newfoundlander belongs to Harbour Grace.

See also No. 150.

I
S

IuJ/e and knap - deql water and shoal.

P1emisll Cop-a plact. OD tbe American Banks.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

37 1

184JOHN GILLAM'S SONG

Learned from the boatmen en route to Bonne Bay,

1921.

Recorded by E. B. G.

In mcdt:,aJ~ linu

rt~'bl1

J nl.n; I}

AEoUAN MODE

J nl.n j I

'1

~~n;j ntm.,.n;1I
There is an agreeable monotony about a fair-weather journey along the Newfoundland coast. The air is incomparably fresh and sweet, blowing from wilder
nesses without human taint. The motor-boat is solitary in a grand but deso
late panorama. Her heavy-duty engine JXlunds along, thrusting ber steadily
through the dear water. All persons aboard her relax in the warm sun, adapt
ing their bodies to the quiver of the engine and the elemental movement of the
deep. Lost in the peace and immensity, the man at the tiller may begin to sing,
usually a wordless tune like the abovcj always, in my experience, one suited
to the patient, dreamy mood of the occasion.

37 2

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

18 5
WOMEN'S THE JOY AND THE PRIDE
OF THE LAND
Sung by Thomas Endacott, Sally'a Cove, 1929.
1

You married and single together will mingle

And listen to those few lines Pm going to relate;
You single who tarried, make haste and get married
Before you have loitered until it's too late.
No pleasure is found in a lifetime of roving;
Young man, take a partner and join hand in hand;
Believe me, there's nothing can equal a woman,
For women's the joy and the pride of the land.

When a man he is single, his earnings will mingle

And like a tom-<:at through the night he will roam,

Like a ship in full motion, he's tossed on the ocean,
No pleasures abroad. DOT no comforts at home.
No pleasure is found in a lifetime of roving,
In sickness to cherish there's no one to stand i
Believe me there's nothing can equal a woman,

For women's the joy and the pride of the land.

When a man he returns home tired from his labor,

His food it is ready and all things are done,
With his children in comfort he'll sit at the table,
Whatever he wants for his wife she will run.
His linen is washed and his bedding got ready,
Every comfort is brought and put into his hand;
Believe me there's nothing can equal a woman,

For women's the joy and the pride of the land.

4

There's many a man will speak. ill of a woman,

Backbite her and slap her when she's not in the wrong;

They will beat her and slam her and loud reprimand her
And say that their tongues is a little too long.
But if this man from his wife should be parted,
In a very short time his head down he'd hang,
And wish for the hours with his wife he'd passed over,
Saying, II\Vomen's the joy and the pride of the land."

DAt"J"CE TUl ES

DANCE TUNES
186
QUADRILLES
Played on an accordion by Mrs. Peter Lahey, Fortune Harbour, 1929.
COWPLETE SET

J.

OFF-Rapidly

GOING

rt~]1 j I CSB 1m

n If) {H"t1 J I

Tum

n-S"jBMjli-FfllnbbJ

~~T~
Jf. ADVANCE-Nolloofasl

f! ~ ca-oo=#l mmlnTl ~ j;d

fEmn n I) ) R2t ffm I
-#--

-..

-.

Tum

ttD$tn J ~~--nIj929
m.

FORY THE LINE -

(BACK O~ THE MAU.)

376

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

I\'. Caw."D CHAJS (LAUY O'Gup)

V. Wn..' l) SllAJtES

VI.

TUE.

8AIlLY

GOD SPEED 'T!a PLOUGH

Rapidl,

f@i ...n

mtJ

DJQI J51j ttl

.... .

fjLJ-#1 J z
Tum

f4913 d

nf) IfiJ2iJ

IOJ "'~;;$

I@ ;13 G1 ts n lJdl)ln Jjll

OF

EWFO

DLAND

Played on a violin by Isaac Churchill. Twillingate,

FtCUU nml A

377
192Q.

Qt" ADkILU:

N04tOO!=
.r-"

..

Tum

~I

378

BALLADS AND SEA SONGS

18 7
COTILLON FIGURES
Sung by Roland Coles, Sandy Cove, 1929.
Rapi4ly

DOlUAN MODE

'91 J 1~:E:i3!1nl
~I J "1j-~--att9jj
~

J 1~@ltWtf~

rf# r r IlllJ 1t11 !1 J3lf? IJ "10

(See

The: Scaling Cruise: of the Lon, Flier, No.

I2J)

Sung by Leonard and Roland Coles, Sandy Cove, 1929.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

379

Sung by Leonard Coles, Sandy Cove, 1929.

Fosl

51]11 r t::5H:mstjlj pi n 831

~ Irl8}~.tjm Iffl
~ ffl n-1TfiI n In!1jUI at Q1tI
Turn

~tsioJ t

----po
m

1& J }11 n fffl

tid

Cftf:lJ

Ed
.
rJi3EO

BALLADS A D SEA SO GS

188
JIGS
Sung by Leonard Coles, Sandy Cove, 1929.

'

..

~-

'

..

Sung by Gordon Willis, Fogo, r929_

A-Hu~..n:\G

WE

WILL

A - hunt - ing

Catch a

(OJ:

Go

we

will

go,

a - bunt - ing

we

and put him in a box, a - hunt.ing we will

go.

OF NEWFOUNDLAND

18 9
STEP DANCES
Sung by Leonard and Lush Coles, Sandy Cove, 1929.
STAn OF B.uu:y

Sung by Leonard and Lush Coles, Sandy Cove, 1929.

Plu:'rTv Lrrn.E MARY

38 I

INDEXES

INDEX OF FIRST LINES

A lady live near Portland Square (No. 38)
A sad old blind beggar sometime had been blind (No. 32)
A woman young in widowhood (No. 65)
Ah, red and rosy was her cheeks (No. 98) .
And it's 0 my joUy poker (No. 168)
"Are you asleep or awake?" Lord Robert he cried (No.2)
"Arise, arise, you drowsy sleeper" (No. 24) .
As a lady fair was walking down by a riverside (No. BSA)
As I did rove out on a fine dewy morning (Plains of Waterloo, No. 85).
As I roved out fair London city (Tarry Sailor, No. So) .
As J roved out one evening (Gentle Boy, No. (13) .
As I roved out one evening, alone by Sligo shore (No. I03B)

As I roved out one evening down by a riverside (Riley to Ameriky,

No_ go)
As I roved out one evening fair (Dark-Eyed Sailor, No. 36)
As I roved out onc evening in June (Mantle of Green, No. 8]A and B).
As 1 roved out one evening in the springtime of the year (Soldier Boy.
~.~

87
71
132
198
339
7
SS
178

172
106
224
207
182

81
175
I~

As I roved oul one fair summer's morn (Down Where the Tide, No. 66A) 135
As 1 roved out one fine summer's evening (Tarry Trowsers, No. 31)
69
As I roved out one May morning (Lovely Georgie, No. 17) .
40
As 1 roved oul one May morning (The Plowboy, No. 79) .
162
As I was a-riding down market-town fair (No. 110)
219
As I was a sporting young fellow (No. 47B) .
.
103
As I was a~walking for pleasure one day (Green Bushes, No. 30)
67
As I was a-walking one fair summer evening (Gold Watch, No. 52).
110
As I was setLing in my homestead (Roving Newfoundlanders, No. 185). 369
As I was sitting in my own cozy corner (No. 161)
327
As I was walking down the street (No. 171)
346
As I were a-walking one evening of late (No. 86)
174
Attention, fellow countrymen, while this sad tale I'll tell (No. 140) .
283
Boney is away from his wars and his fighlin' (No. 83)
Bright Monday morning (No. 35)
By the borders of the ocean (No. 84)
Change Islands is our native home, a place you all know well (No. 124) 250
Come all my friends and countrymen, with pity lend an ear (Fielding,
No. Js8) .

319
Come all ye bold and undaunted boys (George's Bank, No. 129)
260
Come all ye bokllrishmen, listen to me (No. 175) .
355
Come all ye joUy ice-hunters, and listen to my song (No. 122) .
244
Come all ye jolly seal-men and listen to my song (No. 123) .
246
Come all ye noble fishermen and listen to what I say (No. I42)
288

3 86

INDEX OF FIRST LINES

Come all ye people young and old (Rose of Britain's Isle, No. 29)
6S
Come all ye tender Christians, come listen to what I say (No. 178)
361
Come all ye toil-worn fishermen, combine and lend an ear (Fogo, No. 149) 304
Come all ye true-born Irishmen, come listen to what I'll tell (No. 174) 354
Come all ye young fellows that means to earn your bread (Banks of the
Dizzy, No. lOS)
.
.
Come all ye young fellows wherever ye be (Cooks of Torbay, No. 148) 303
Come all ye young men all (Bold Wolie, No. 4 4 ) .
96
Come all you jolly fellows and listen to my song (No. 159).
321
Come all you true countrymen, come listen to me (5. S. Ethe, No. 138) 277
Come all young lads and lasses, come listen to my song (Foot of the
Mountain Brow, No. 74)
153
Come all young men and maidens, come listen to my song (Maria and
Caroline, No. 61)
125
Come and I will sing you (Twelve Apostles, No. 4IA)
9r
Dark was the night, cold blowed the air (No. 55)
Dear love, here's a letter (No. 101)
"Dermit, you look healthy now" (No. 73)
Did you ever hear of an Irishman's shanty (No. 1(9)
Down in a lonely valley (No. ISo) .
Down in Greedy Harbour we went one lime (No. r27)
Down in some foreign counteree pretty Polly did dwell (No. 23B)
Down in the Lowlands a poor boy did wander (No. 99)
Farewell, ye lofty citadel, so towering grand and charming
From Bonavista Cape to the Stinking Isles (No. 119)
From Liverpool 'cross the Atlantic (No. 51) .

(~o.

82)

u6
203
151
:218
365
256
53
200

167
236
r08

Gilderoy was as neat a boy (No. 63) .

129

Haul on the bo'line (No. 167) .

He rided over high, high hills (No. r6B)
"Here's a letter come from Giles Morissy" (No. 11) _
How cauld those 'winds do blow, dear Laird (No. roB)

338
39
25
24

I am a bold undaunted youthj my name is John McCann (No. 92)

I dreamed a dream and I thought it true (No. ISlA)
I had not sailed a voyage but one (No. 107A and B) .
lance knew a couple of old Ireland's shore (No. III)
I once loved a girl in Kilkenny (No. 76)
.
I was just sixteen when 1 first started roving (No. 102) .
I will sing to-night of a fairy land (No. 70) .
I'll sing you eleven (No. 41B) .
I'm a boy from Erin's Isle (No. 6 8 ) .
I'm a broken-down sport without money (No. 48)
I'm a rambling and roving young fellow (No. 47)
I'm a young married man that is tired of life (No. r5S)
I'm very sorry, gentlemen, you've called on me to sing (No. loS)
In Belfast town down in the North (No. 96)

r87
308
214
220

157
:204
144
92

140
104
r02
3[6
2r6
194

INDEX OF FIRST LINES

387

In the year of eighteen hundred and three (No. 114)

In Wexford City there dwelt a lady (No. 27)
Instead of being a friend of mine (No. 57)
It been in the month of January (No. 64)
.
It happened on a Wednesday in the lovely month of June (Waterloo,
~.8I)

It has been upon a Sunday, the springtime of the year (No. 163)
It was down in the Lowlands pretty Polly she did dwell (No. 23A) .
It was early in June, b'ys, when we sailed away (No. 121)
It's farewell, now, Miss Gordie. I'm now going to leave you (No. 39)
It's onward we travel through life's weary journey (No. 120)

Lady Margaret was sitting in her law bower chamber (No.9) .

Lay up nearer, brother, neacer (No. 177)
Lord Thomas was a gay forester (No.8)
Lovely Nancy from England, what a grand smiling stream (No. 33B)

226
61
120

130
165
331
51
240

88
238

359
18
74

Maurice Kelly ODC night when about three parts loaded (No. 78)
"My dear, I'm bound for Canady" (No. 154) .
My father and mother were excellent folks (No. 170)
My father had a ship in the north counterce (No. 18A)
My muses nine, let you combine and listen to my song (No. 137).
My name is Henry Connors from the green Castle Dawson (No. 94)
My name is Peter Hembly, as you may understand (No. 164) .
My name it is Robert, but they call me Bob Pittman (No. 132)
"My parents reared me tendedyll (No. 128)

160
314
345

Not far from old Kinvara, in the merry month of May (No. 106)
Now come all ye good people for an air, I hope that you'll attend (No. 60)
Now three years we're sailing and cruising the main (No. 43)
Now, 'twas twenty-five or thirty years since Jack first saw the light
(NO.12S) .

212
123
95

o first I came a-courted by a bonny young Irish b'y (No. 9S)

o Lukey's boat is painted green (No. 126)

0, once I was invited to a nobleman's wedding (No. 75)

"0 rise up, Willy Reilly, and come along with me" (No. 91) .

o Rogers the miller was a-courting a blade (No. 26)

o the lad that llove dearly (No. 45)
o 'twas Nancy from London, from fair London town (No. 33A) .
o 'twas of a young couple they lived in this place (No. 5)
o ye landsmen and ye seamen bold, come listen to my song (No. 112)
On St. Patrick's Day we sailed away (No. 156)
Once I loved a sailor so dear as my life (No. 58) .
Once on a time there were three ..ld Jews (No. 176)
One dark stormy night in the mOL of November (No. 104)
One day I strayed away from home (No. 181) . .
Qne evening for pleasure I rambled (Star of Belle Isle, No. 133) .
Qne morn for recreation as I strayed by the seaside (No. Bg)
One morning in June as I rambled by (No. 69) . . .

43

275
191
334
266
258

252
192
254
ISS
184
59
99

73
12
222
317
121
351
208
361
268
180

142

INDEX OF FIRST LINES

Our father advised us with our uncle to stay (No. IS1) .
Our goodly ship _ loaded deep (NO4') .
Our ship been all ready and fitted for sea. (No. 25) .
"Over hills and lofty mountains" (No. 34) .

318
94
57
76

Paddy O'Brien left Ireland in glee (No. 67) . . . .

'38

Queen Mary, Queen Mary, my age is sixteen (No. 62B)

128

Sadly hut slowly one night in November (No. 7 1 ) .

Sally Brown, come down, I wants you (No. 166). . . . . . .
She got up sleam the tweUth of March and shortly did embark (No. 139)
Short jacket and blue trousel'!> (No. 46) . .
So early, early, all in the spring (No. 12) .
Sunbeams of crimson and shadows (No. 130)
.
Susan strayed the briny beach along the Sligo shore (No. rOJA) .

146
337
28t

"Take off, take olT your gay clothing" (No. IC).

Ten thousand pounds I would freely give (No. 151B). .
The boy bent his breast and round swam he (No. 19B) .
The fierce winds blow among the cliffs (No. ]45) .
The first come in it was a rat (No. 40) .
The snowflakes last were falling (No. 100)

"The times baint wbat they used to be, 'bout fifty years or SO ago"
(No. '36) .
There been falling drops of dew, sweetheart (No. toA) .
There is one class of men in this country that never is mentioned in song
Tbe:re is something SO thrilling and gay (No. t47)
There was a lady lived in New York (No. 6A)
There was a lady lived in York (No. 6B) . .
Tbere was a lady living in the east (No. I3B)
There was an elf knight come from the north land (No. IB)
There was an old couple lived under an hill (No. 18) .
There was an old farmer in Yorkshire did dwell (No. 20)
There was a youth, a weJJbeloved youth (No. TA and No. ]4) .
.
There was two sisters named Jane Mary Anne (No.3)
..
There's many a wild Canadian boy who leaved a happy home (No. 162)
"There's seven long years I will wait for you" (No.7) .
There's three young gypsies aU in a row (No. 16.11)
Those thrilling tales we beard last week (No. 141) .
Three boys were driving along [one day] (No. 31A)
Three young ladies went for a walk (NO.4) .
'Tis of a rich merchant of London (No. 21) .
.
'Tis of three jolly butcbermen (No. 3iB) . . . . .
'Twas a noble craft and a gallant crew (No. ]43) .
.
'Twas at the railroad station in pursuit of my vocation (No. 16g.4) .
'Twas drinking aod bad company (Flym, CI014d, No. 173) .
'Twas in the city of Wexforo (fragment) (No. 56)
'Twas of a jolly boatswain (No. 53) . . .
'Twas of a knight was riding by (No. 15) .

6
309
43
294

100

26
262
206

QO
201

'73
23
324
301
15

t6
30

5
4]
44
3,34
9
329
17
38
285
82
47

84
2<)0

340
349
"9
112

35

INDEX OF FIRST LINES

'Twas of a lady in the west CQunteree (No. I3A) .
'Twas of a Scotch lassie, her Dame it was Jane (No. 62A)
'Twas of a young maiden who lived all alone (No. 28)
'Twas the tinker and the tailor (No. 16gB)
'Twas winter down the icy gulf (No. 144)
We sailed away down Baffin Bay (No. ISlC)
Well, boys, for diversion we're all met together (No. 72)
We're bound to St. Peter's for 'bacey and rum (No. 1 6 5 ) .
"What sort of clothes did your Willy wear?" the soldier did reply
(No. 88B)
.
.
IIWhat's the matter with my daughter?" the old man said (No. I3C)
When I first went to Trinity in the brave old days of yore (No. 135)
When the bo's'n's loud whistle keeps sounding (No. 54)
When the news it did come in (No. 153)
When we anchored on the Banks, our trials first come on (No. 117)
When we got up to go OUf way (No. 66C)
<lWhere are you going, me fair pretty maid?" (Humble Village Maid,
No. 77)
"Where are you going, my fair pretty maid?" (Down where the Tide was
Flowing, No. 66B) .
While shot and shell were screaming (No. 179B) .
While the boys in blue were fighting (No. I79A) .
"Who is that knocking at my door?" (No. 49)
Willy Taylor, a brisk young sailor (No. 22) .

389
28
127

63
343
292
310

149
336
[79
32
272

:II4
313
232
]37
158

136
364
363
105

49

Ye ladies and ye gentlemen (Star of Logy Bay, No. 134)

270
Ye landsmen, pay attention (No. 59) .
122
Ye muses nine, with me combine (No. 118) .
233
Ye muses so kind that are guarded by wind (No. 131)
264
Ye rambling boys of pleasure, I have you to beware (No. n6)
230
Ye roving blades of Ireland (Rich Amerikay, No. 97)
195
Ye roving boys of Newfoundland, come listen unto me (No. 150)
. 306
Ye tender-hearted Christians, I hope you will attend (Greenland, No. 146) 299
Ye tender young lovers draw near me, the truth unto you I'll unfold
(Squire's Young Daughter, No. 93)
ISg
You can smile if you're a mind to, b'ys, I hope you'll lend an ear (No. lIS) 227
You married and single together will mingle (No. 185)
371
311
You sons of fame, come hear my theme (No. 152)
Young Charlotte lived by a mountain side (No. 172) .
347

INDEX OF TITLES
A-hunting We Will Go (dance tune) (No. 188)
Abram Brown the Sailor (No. 49)
Advance (quadrille tUDe) (No. 186)
AU Around Creen Island Shore (No. 13S) .
As I Roved Out (No. 31) .
At the Foot of the Mountain Brow (No. 74)
Auld Song from Cow Head, The (No. roB)
Awful Wedding, The (No. 75)
Bahylon (No.4) .
Back of the Mall (quadrille tune) (No. 186)
Badger Drive, The (No. ]60)
Bailiff's Daughter of Islington, The (No. 14)
Banks of Newfoundland, The (No. JI6)
Banks of the Dizzy, The (No. lOS)
Barbree Ellen (No. 12) .
Beggarman, The (No.5)
Bird Rocks, The (No. 144)
Blind Beggar, The (No. 32) .
Blind Beggar's Daughter of Bednall Green, The (No. 32)
Blooming Bright Star of Belle Isle, The (No. 133)
Boatswain and the Tailor, The (No. 53)
Bold McCarthy (No. 174)
Bold Priuuss Royal, The (No. 35) .
Bold WoUe (No. 44) .
Bonny Anne (No. I07B).
.
....
.
Bonny Banks of the Virgie, 0 The (Bonnie Banks 0' Fordie) (No.4)
Bonny Barbara Allan (No. I2)
Bonny Bunch of Roses, The (No. 84)
Bonny Young Irish Boy, The (The Bonny Irish Boy) (No. 95)
BrokenDown Sport (No. 48)
Burke's Dream (No. 71).
.
Butter and Cheese and All (No. loS)

Californian Brothers (No. 177) .

Captain William Jackman (No. 145) .
Carol of the Twelve Numbers, The (No. 41)
Castaways, The (No. 25)
Change Islands Song (No. 124)
.
Charles Augustus Anderson. See Fielding
Charles Dickson (No. 57) .
Charming Mary Neal (No. 92)
Child Maurice (No. n)
Cod Liver Oil Song (No. 155) .

38r
105
376
27'1
69
153
24

155

376
324
34
230
:210

26
12

292
71
71
268
354
78
96
215
10

26

170
192
104

146
216
359
294
91
57
250
319
120
187
25
316

INDEX OF TITLES
Come All \'e JaDy Ice-Hunt~ ~o. IU)
Cooks of Torbay, The _'0. 148)

Cotilloo figures (dance tUJlts) . '0.187)

Crowd of Bold

Cruel

~rother,

Sharemen, The
The ~ -0.6) .

_'0. 121)

Cupid the Plowboy ~o. 79)

nulClothed Gyp,y. The tKo. 16)
DarkEyed Sailor, The . '0.36)
Dilly Song. The (. 0. -tl) .
Dog Song, The . '0.147) .
Donald Monroe (:\'0. lS7).
..
Donald's Return to Glencoe ~o. 86)
.
Doo ~Ic Ama (Ko. 50) .
Down ,nere the Tide was Flowing (No. 66)
Drowsy Sleeper (No. 24)
.
Drunkard's Dream, The (No. 13)
Duke of Argyle. The (No. 3Q) .
Dying Californian, The (No. 177)

Earl Brand (1'0. 2)

Erin's Green ~bore (Xo. 609)
Erin's hIe (:'\0. 68) .

Fair Flowers of H~ '0.6)

Farewdl and Adieu to You. panish Ladies _0. 132)

Fatal Wedding. The t. '0. 182)
FauttJesa Bride. The (. 0. is)
Fielding (. '0. '58) .

First Come in it was a Rat, The (. '0.4)

Fishermen of _ewfoundJand. The (. '0. 141)
Fishing Banks, Song about the (. '0. t t7)
Fiorella ,,~o. ISo) .
Flyinf Ootid, The (Ko. 173)

Folkestone Murder, The (No. 61).

.
Form the Line (Quadrille tune) (No. 186) .
Franklin Expedition, The (No. lSI)
.
Freemason's Song, The (The Freemason) (No. lJ4)
}'rog and the Mouse, The (No. 40) .
From Liverpool 'cross the Atlantic (No. 51)

G:ubey'. Rock (Gerry', Rock) .'0. '5J)

Gentle Boy, The (Xo. Jl3)
Geordie (. 0. Ii) .
George Jones. Sa Ficlding...
.
~rge's Bank (Gloucester d.i.saster) (Xo. 129).
George's Bank ("Sunbeams of crimson," etc.) '0. 130)
Get L'p and Bar the Door C. '0. 18)
Ghosuy Lov.... The (. '0. J.I)
Gbo!s.tJ) SeameD, The 10. 115)
Gil !\lorissy .0. n) . . . .

39'
. 244
33
379-380
>,>0

'5

,62
J8
8.
9'
JO'

JI8
174

106
'35
55

'5'
88
359

INDEX OF TITLES
Gilderoy (No. 63)
Glencoe (No. 86) . .
. .
God Speed the Plougb (quadrille tune) (No. J86)
Goiog 011 (quadrille tune) (No. J86) .
Gold Watch (No. 52) . .
Goldm VlJniI~. The (No. 10) . . . . .
Good Ship Jubilu, The (No. 141) .
Gosport Tragedy, The. Sr. Sally Monroe
Grand Chain (quadrille tuDe) (No. (86)
Greedy Harbour (No. t27) . . . .

Green Bushes, The (No. 30)

Greenland Disaster, The (No. 146) .
Greenwood Siding (No. 6B) .
Gypsies, The (No. 16B)
Gypsy Laddie, The (No. J6)
Handsome John (No. 38) .
Harry Dunn (No. 161) .
Haul on the Bo'line (No. 167)
Henry Connors (No. 94)

Highway Robber, The (No. 2J)

Hind Hom (No.5) . . . . .
Homeward Bound (No. 165) .
Humble Village Maid Going a-~1ilking. The (No. 77)
Husband's Dream, The (No. 73)

12 9
174
377
37 6
IIO

43
,85
120

377
256
67
'99
16
39
38
87
329
33 8
19 1
47
12
336
15 8
15 1

I Once Loved a Girl in Kilkenny (No. 76) . . .

I was Just Sixteen (~o. 102) .
.
I'm Lonesome Since My Mother Died (No. r81)

Irish Girl, The (No. 98)

Irish Sailor Boy, The (No. 128) . .
Irishmao's Shanty, The (No. 109)

.. .

Isle of Man Shore, The. See Quay of Dundocken, The.

Isle of St. Helena (No. 83)

264

Jack Hinks (No. J31) .

Jack the Jolly Tar (No. 50) .
Jack was EvJry Inch a Sailor (No. J25)
Jennie Uanie) 00 the Moor (No. 89) .
Jessie, the Belle of the Bar (No. 16g)

J06
25 2
180
.

Jig> (dance tuDes) (No. J88)

Jim

Porter's Shanty Song. Su Lumber Camp Song, The.

Joan and John Blount (No. J8) .

John Barbour (No. 13C) . . . .
John Gillam's Soog (No. (84). . . .
John Morrissey aDd the Black (No. 175)
Johnny Boker. See Jolly Poker . . . .
Johnsoo; dT, The Three Riders (No. 37)
Jolly Butchermeo, The (No. 37B)
Jolly Poker (No. 168)

340
38r
32 J
41

32

37 1
355
339
82
84
339

INDEX OF TITLES
Jonathan, Joseph, Jereollah (No. 170) . .
Just as the Tide was Flowing (No. 66) . .
Kelly the Pirate (No. 43). . . . .
..
Knight and the Shepherd's Daughter, The (No. IS)

Lady Franklin's Lament (No. lSI)

Lady Isabel and the ElI Knight (NO.1)
Lady Margaret (No.9) . . . . .
Lady Uri, The (No. I l l ) .
Lameot, The (No. <)8) .
Larry O'Gaff (quadrille tune) (No. 186)
Lass that Loved a Sailor. The (No. 58) .
Laughing Song (No. 171) .
Little Soldier's Boy, The (No. 100)
Lillie Yorkshire Boy, The (No. 20)
Lonely Waterloo (No. 88)
Longest Name Song (No. 170)
Lord Aleman (No.7)
Lord Robert (NO.2)
Lord Thomas (No.8).
..
.
Lord Thomas and Fair Annel (No.8)
Lovely Annie (No. 101)
Lovely Georgie (No. 11).
.
Lovely Nancy from England (No. 33B)
Low-backed Car, The (No. 120) .
Lukey's Boat (r..,o. 126) . .
Lumber Camp Song. The (No. 159) .
~Jaid

of ~ewfouDdland. The (No. 118) .

:Maid of Rygate, The. Su Highway Robber, The

1\laiden who Dwelt by the Shore, The (No. 28)
Man-of4\Var Piece. The (Ko. 45)
Mantle of Green, The (Mantle so Green) (No. gil .
:Maria and Caroline (No. 61)
Marigold, The (No. 42)
Mary Acklin (No. 93) . .
Mary Neal (NO.9') .
Maurice KeUy (No. 78)
Merchants of Fogo, The (No. 149) .
Merman, The (No.6.,.) .
Mines of Avondale, The (No. 60)
Murder of Young Somers, The (No. 153)
My Dear, I'm Bound for Canady (No. 154) .
N'ae Bonnie Laddie will Tak' me Awa' (No. 62) .
Nancy rom London (No. 33) .
Napoleon the Exile (Xo. 83)

~apoleon's Farewell to Paris (No. 82)

ear to the Isle of Portland (No. 59)

Kewfoundland and Sebastopol (No. J52) .

393
345
'35
95
35

308
3
2>

220

1<)8
377

'"

346
44

'78
345
17
7
18
18

'3

40
74

'3 8
'54

3"
'33
47

63
99
175

"5
94

1~

18 7

.60

304
'3 0

"3
313
314

"7
73

168
167

",
3"

394

lNDEX OF TITLES

Nobleman's Wedding, The (No. 75) . .

Nq,djdd and the Roki,., The (1\0. 1,41)

155

,88

QuId Plaid bawl, The .. TO. 106) .

Oulbarbor Planter, The _'0. (36) . .

Parldy and the Wbale . 0.6,)

.
.
Paddy Backwards (paddy's Ramble to London) (Ko.
Peter Hembly (Embc:rly. Amberly) (Xo. 164) .
Plains of Waterloo. The .. 0.85) . .

'1J
..
110)

Plowboy, The (Xo. 7Q)

PoUy Oliver '0.23)

Poor Fisherman's Boy. The .0. 99) .

Prentice Boy, The '0. 1(1)
Pretty Fair ;\Iaid l\;th a Tail, The .0.6.4)
~tty Jessie of the Railway Bar (Xo. 161})
Pretty Little :\Iary (step-dance tune) .'0. ISg) .
Quadrilles (dance tUDes) .. '0.186)
Quay of Dundockm, The (Xo. lQ.J)
Rakish Young Fellow, The .'0.47) . .
Reilly 1M Fisherman; Reilly's Farewell (Ko. 90)
Rich Amerikal' . 091)
Riley to Amenity (.. 0. (0)
Rogers the Miller (. '0.26)
.
.
Rose oJ Britain's .we. The (Xo. 29)
Roving. 'ewfoundlanders, The . os. 150, 183)
Roynl Oak, The (1\0. 42) . . .
R)'&J1S and the Pitt:mans, The '0. 13')
Sally Brown (No. 166) .
Sa1Jy Monroe (~o. 57)
Schooner Alary Am~, The (No. 156)
Scotch Lassie, The (No. 61)
Sealing Cruise of the Lm&e Flitr ! '0. U3)
.
Sealing Cruise of the LAne Flier (dance tune) (No. 187)
Seven Sailor Boys, The (No. 13) .
Shirt and the Apron, The (No. U1) .
Short Jacket (~o. 46)
..
SilkMerc.bnnt's Daughter, The (No. 15)
Soldier Boy (No. So) . .
..
Soldier's Homeless Boy, The (No. 100)
Song about the Fishing Banks (Xo. 117)
Soulhmt Cross. The (1\"0. 139) .
.
.
Spanish Captain. Tbe (1\0. 'Jl). . .
Spanish Main, The (No. 101) .
.
Spirit Song of George's Bank, The (NO.1 r5)
Squire l\'athaniel and Betsy ~o. 55)
Squire's Young Daughter, The (No. 83) .
Stack of Barley (dance tune) (No. 'llQ)

'J8

"9

,,,

JJ'

.6,
5'

'q
'JO
.3-<0

J8,
376-37 S
>08

'0'
,8,
'95
.8,
50

65
J06, J6Q

...

,66
JJI

"0

J'1
"I

,,6

J79

,8

,,,

'00

.6,51

'0'
'J'
,8.

'15
'''l
"I

,,6

.llQ
8 '

J DEX OF TITLES
Star of Logy Bay, The (No. 13~).
.
Step Dances (dance tunes) (No. 189)
Susan St.nlyed the Briny Beach (No. 103)
Sweet William's Ghost (. '0.9) . .

.
.

ylm"s Request and \nllia.m.'s Denial. Sa Wexford City (Xo. 21)

Tarpaulin Jacket '0..47) .
Tarry Sailor (I. '0. so).

6Q
91
144114
Z90

Three Butchers. The (. '0.37) .

Three Old Jews. The '0. r;6)
Three Riden. The (No. 37). .
Tid the Gray )lare. Sa Rogers the Miller .
Turkiah _len-o'.War (. '0. ,p)
Twa "hlers, The '0. 3) Twelve AJXl5tles. The l~o. 41)
Twin Lakes t. '0. 161)

327
2.}

Wadham's Song (Xo. fl9) . .

Waterford Boys, The (. '0. 72)
Waterloo (. '0. I)
Wexford City <:'\0. 17)
Wexford City (The Wexford Girl) (Xo. 56) .
.
When the Battle it was Won. S~t Young Jimmy and the Officer
While the Boys in Blue were Fighting (No. 179) .
William and Phebe. Su Dark~Eyed Sailor, The .
William O'Roley (1'0. SIB)
\\"illie-o' Winsbury '0. 13)
\\1Uy Reilly (1\0.91)
Willy Taytor (No. :2:2)
Willy Vare (No. 65)
.
.
Wind Shakes tbe Barley (quadrille tune) (No. 186)
Women's tbe Joy and tbe Pride of the Land (No. 18S) .
Wreck of the teamship EJhit, The (No. 138) . .
Wreck of the Steamship Flori;d, The (No. 140)

Zillah. See Wexlotd City (No. '7) .

82
357
82
S9
94
9
QI

Unquiet Grave, The (Xo. 10)

Yankee Land (o. '0. (}6)

Yorkshire Boy, The (Yorkshire Bite) (No.
Young Barbour (No. 13)
Young Beichan (No7)
Young Charlotte (No. 172)
Young Jimmy and the Officer (. '0. 178)
Young :Monroe '0. 16J)
Young Sally Munroe (No. 57) .. .

21

61
102

o"&ney (. '0.54)

T~sm t.. '0.143'

270
382
206

106

Tarry Trowsers (No. 31) . .

Ten Commandments, The (No. 41)
That Dear Old Land (Xo. 70)

Tbomasand

395

20)

2.}6
14Q
165
61
119

361
J6J
81
176
:28
18.;
49
IJl
377
37:2
:277
:2S3
194
44
28
17
347
36r
J31
120

61