Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
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1933
''I'
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-
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
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
MANY people have given aid and counsel in the preparation of this
CONTENTS
. Henry Noble AlacCracken
PREFACE
xl
(C:m:LD, NO.4) .
b2. BARBREE
vii
xix
INTRoDuCl'rON
ELLEN
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
38
(CmLD,
40
4'
43
44
47
49
No. 2(9)
....
21.
I 22.
23.
Ouvn, .
T.ID:
CASTAWAYS
'".lH:E
GREEN BUSHES
31. As I ROVED
34
35
5'
55
57
OCT
59
61
63
65
67
69
7'
73
8,
8.
34.
3 8 HANDSOME
J01L.......
WAS A RAT
42.
.
43. KELLY THE PlRATE. . .
76
78
87
88
90
9'
94
95
CONTENTS
XII
44. BOLD WOLFE
. . .
96
99
100
1o,
104
15
106
TARRY SAILOR.
loS
110
53.
Tar
I"
54. TBollAS
NAXCY . . .
A.'\"D
114
116
. . . . . .
119
"0
55. SQUlllE
121
lsL.E OF POllTLA..''
or Avo~"DAl.E
60. ThE
~rv.LS
'22
"3
"5
"7
63. ClLDEROY . . . . . . . . . . .
64. THE PRETTY FAIR ?-1Am WlTH A TAIL .
129
'3
'3'
135
138
14
14'
I,
146
49
151
153
155
157
158
~{AURlCE KELLY.
79. THE PLOWBOY. .
16,
Boys.
. . .
160
i8.
. .
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>:.""""
178
ISo
114
'75
. .
18,
I
181
Illg
'9
'
19'
xiii
CO TENTS
. YA."",, LA'''' . . . .
'<}4
'95
'Q8
QQ.
too.
JOI. LoVELY
A...~"IE
200
20'
20J
2 04
102.
104..
TB..E
206
208
QuAY OF DtThil)OCXES
105. TuE
107.
2'0
212
21 4
2,6
T1rE
218 -
IRISHMAN'S SHANTY
PADDY BACKWAJIDS . . . .
2'9
220
lIO.
222
Ta.E
GENTLE BOY
224
226
227
23
2J2
~El\"'F01nt.'l).I..U"D
2JJ
2J6
122.
2J8
24
2 44
246
25
25 2
2 54
2 56
2 58
260
262
264
13 8
IJQ.
lolO.
14 1
l.p.
143.
1H:E
'I'B:E
"jL"lIlILE"
2 72
273
275
2 77
281
283
285
"R..u.!:Icn" . .
288
290
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
146.
268
27
Ali]) THE
hTaORWA.LDS:E.s"
266
292
2<}4
2 99
xiv
CONTENTS
14'.
148.
Jor
303
149.
304-
ISO.
306
311
3'3
IS2.
308
314
3.6
317
318
'58. Fu:Lo"G . . . . . . . .
-.59 Tm; LUKBEJl CAIlP Saxe.
3'9
321
327
329
324
.6,.
, 163. YOUSG
l\IO~"'OE .
331
334
336
337
338
] 70.
17[.
172,
173.
LAuCI:ID'G SONG . . . .
YOUNG QlAlU.OTTE. . . . . . .
THE II FLYIXG CLOUD" . . . . . .
. . . . .
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
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 .
"'S
23. 24
. 28,30 ,3 2
J8
44
49
SI. S3
Tm:
......
BOltE
lsu
1'uE
76
78
'. 88
96
lOO
lOS
Io6
I08
. . . . . . . . .
IIO
II4
II6
12I
55
57
61
6J
65
67
6<)
7J, 74
GHOSTLY LoVER .
52 GoLD WATQI
J
10
-60
12 7. 12 8
"9
IJO
IJ5
IJ&
'4'
146
. ..
TID:
TuE
?\'OBI.E.MA......S WEDDING . . . . . .
HUYBLE VILLAGE .M.Am GoING A-?tfu.K.ING
83 NAPOLEOY 1lIE
4 Tm: Bo~-"y
85
EXII.E . . .
'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
208
2tO
227
240
'5
233
246
IJ:J.
'st
'2
Gu:EDY HAR..aOUlt
133-
Looy
IsLE .
BAY
. ...
II
ETHlE II
14'. Tnr.: uNORDFEU>" AND THE lIRALEIGH".
144. TnE BIRD ROCKS . .
146. '1"'Iu; .. GREENLAND" DISASTER
roo.
r68.
JOLLY
POUR
....
16g.
I1J.
r88. JIGS.
ISg. STEP DA.""CES
BAll,
A, B .
GooD
SHIP
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIO S
1.
.FOUNDLAND. 1929 .
. Opp.
. xxviii
2. Twn.uNGATE
. xniv
4 N'E\',"'FOtJ1l,:"DLAND SIXGERS
Sr.~GE1S OF
6. TaE
Fun
SEALL~G
DE
CRtiISE
Lvs
OF TB.E .. LoSE
142
FLIER"
~ -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
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.
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
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 -
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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:
XXXVlli
INTRODUCTION
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
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"
xl
INTRODUCTION
A NOTE ABOUT THE MUSIC
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,
xliv
ABBREVIATION
K>:rm
LoMAX .....
MACU.'ZU:
'
McGn.L.
O'COSOR
OR
POl:l\'l) (with page reference only) Louise Pound, FDlk-Song oj .\'chrasia Gnd the
em/roJ West, A Syllabus. Sebraska Academy of Sciences,
Pllbtjc~ions.
vol.
IX,
NO3
Louise Pound, .1mt'riaJ,. Ballads a,ul SOIIfIS.
New York, 1922.
RICIlARDSON
RtCK.ABY
York [1927].
AND
Cons.
SaOEllAK.R
THOMAS. . . .
Jean
WILLIAJIS .....
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
'#
~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
tenth
'-
one
'-"
you
shall
be."
10
II
13
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
'B
Recited by Mrs. Susan Walters, Rocky Harbour,
I
1920.
110,
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:
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
1/
'I
XUI,
256-257; Keith,
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
3
THE TWA SISTERS
(Cmw, No. 10)
Recited by Mrs. Walters, Senior, Rocky Harbour,
1920.
10
No.
14)
1929.
AEoUAN MODE
yo~ Ia
Three
J
lone - Iy
walk, Too
3.
I=!:::::::::t=
F?i4ll4J J
0,
f!#.JJ:JJ
bon - ny, boo - oy banks
WJ
of
the
SP 41
.
Icc, ond
J J J,
J'
1
T
Vir
j
gie,
O.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
II
Keith, No.6.
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'
0, 'twas oC
,
J
by each
;' J'
0-
.;I'
Un-
J, 1 )111
til
strange news
was
come
to
'----him,
would
sail
in
far
l'
r
--/
That
J I Ji II
j
"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
Fortune Harbour
AND GRANDCHILDREN
Sally's Cove
i\1R.
Sandy Cove
Sandy Cove
'\'l-\\
FOUXDL-\r-;D
SI:-J(;cKS
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
13
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
'3
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
IS
6
FAIR FLOWERS OF HELlO
(THE
No. 20)
~OLVDlAN
MODE
I@)p
la~dylivcd
GJ J'IJ J 1 J llti#J'1J 11 U
court - cd of her
He - li - o.
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
GREENWOOD SIDING
Recited by Mrs. Susan Walters, Rocky Harbour,
1920.
10
II
The Walterses thought this had been known in their family since
1820,
and
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
17
7
LORD ATEMAN
(YOUNG BEICHAN, CmLD, No. 53)
Recited by Henry Albert White, Sandy Cove, [929.
18
8
LORD THOMAS
(LORD THOMAS AND FAIR ANNET, CHILD, No. 73)
Recited by Mrs. Susan Walters, Rocky Harbour, 1929.
1
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
g
If
12
13
IS
16
19
20
19
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,
2I
22
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
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
23
10
VI
Sung by Mrs. Rosie White, Sandy Cove, 1929.
RaJ~r sltnllly
e1
1@"41 1J#44dJ IJ
Tberebeen
I@" r D @J.
heav
I@"
n9
'-=
falls
of
dew,
Ir
I've
And
Or DI
- ly
be
sweet-heart,
had
but
......I
sweet-heart, On
rain:
of
slain.
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
!wi but
........,
'-'
true love,
Laird,
from
slain.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
II
GIL MORISSY
(Cmw MAURlCE, Cmw, No. 83)
Recited by Mrs. S. Walters, Rocky Harbour,
1920.
jl
The lady's hushand overheard these words and was jealous of Gil
Morissy, so he went out and
il, 110-111;
Keith, No 31.
12
BARBREE ELLEN
(BONNY BARBARA ALLAN,
Cmr.D, No.
84)
fI
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
II
12
13
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.
13
YOUNG BARBOUR
OR, THE SEVEN SAILOR BOYS
Cm:w, No.
100)
YOUNG BARBOUR
Sung by A'laude Roberts, Sally's Cove,
a J' i
PI J
'Twas
cloth - ed
of
all
la - dy in the
in
green,
look - ed
As she
!:JEll J
in,
And she
ship
J. I It.
And
she
1920.
Record~by E. B. G.
t I n moderaJe timl
saw
ship
.../
sail - ing
fJ @I#D
sail
ing
in.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
4
DO
duke,
II
12
29
3
'3
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.
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."
II
3'
32
12
HO
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
and
he said,
in
"Or
love
...
in
love
with
some
with
young
'--'
young
some
man.
It
of
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
33
34
14
THE BAILIFF'S DAUGHTER OF ISLINGTON
(Cmw, No. '05)
Sung by Mrs. Minnie Payne, Green Point,
I
1920.
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
35
36
10
II
12
13
14
IS
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
16
37
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.
16
THE DARK-CLOTHED GYPSY
(THE GYPSY LADDIE, CmLD, No. 200)
-#-
uAreyou
go. ing
to
-./
O? ..
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
39
THE GYPSIES
Recited by Henry Albert White, Sandy Cove, 19'9.
1
17
LOVELY GEORGIE
(GEORDIE. CBILD, No. 209)
Communicated by Mrs..Maude Roberts immonds, Glenburnie,
Bonne Bay, 1930.
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
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
43
19
THE GOLDEN VANlTIE
(CHILD, No. 286)
FRAGMENTS
'B
Sung by Mrs. Herbert Young, Twillingate, 1929.
44
20
an old
farm
er
pret - ty
pret - ty
lit - tie
York.~
do
his
Tim - my right,
fol
for
to
boy
by E. 8. G.
he
had
for
his
man,
he
had
for
his
man.
And
it
was John.
name
REnAtY
de
dol
de dol
de, right
fol
de dee.
Refrai,,: Timmy right, foJ de dol de dol de, right fol de dee.
2
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
45
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
14
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
He hid this
4
[air
damsel to stay.
47
10
r>
(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
Pronounced Carr.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
51
23
POLLY OLIVER
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.
Till at length she found one that could travel the ground.
2
o that you and your ship's company drink Polly's health around.
5'2
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
53
$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
It
to
know.
Soon
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
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,
at
your bed-room
J J I J II
Jo J bit.
1 .J J I mg,
Iy."
most
tu
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
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
our
,
J
to
Our
1 I J J J I Jd
the
went.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
Now the wedding has been over, the money paid down,
59
60
: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
1. "What.ma.kesyou
blush? Such a
that
you
here's
your
all
on
the
dia.-mond ring, So
watch,
love,
and
plain
'Twas
that
gold
gain."
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
roDin,;", rhythm
llolUAN ManE
G
com - [orl
ti=G>,
~J
her
mind. 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...
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
65
29
THE ROSE OF BRITAI 'S ISLE
Sung by Manuel Roberts, of Wesleyville, S. S. Sagona, 1929.
RaJlte,skrJ:ly
~I
lis-ten,
you shall
66
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
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
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
green
-'
sweet - ec
in
l'
May,
pi
3 1j
sang
-'
she,
"Down
me."
68
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)
In moderate Jimt
roved out
J'
e J'. J I
i ILB+4"24H+EPB
fine
the
spied
ill,
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
71
32
THE BLIND BEGGAR
Recorded by Jane Quackenbush from the singing of John Henry
Gueunuex, Barr'd Harbour, 1928.
lIfiss Quackenbush suggests that "beaux" would make more sense. The regular
72
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
1920.
Recorded by E. B. G.
DO'RlAN MODE
In modLra/~ time
.q:';
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,
,,-,+
do
blow.
74
~i1J~J~J~;~I;~J~B-ti4S1
2.
it
-.
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
What can
do more?
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?
r"
lift9
ve.r hills
eJ IJ
dearl rm forced to
1@9 J J
stum - hIe
go,
1] J
In - to
and
CC Cc
H
Du,
I might be guid - ed
JjJ J I
with-out one
J pLJ J J ~
the
of
you,
my
love."
.. Over
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
77
35
THE BOLD PRlNCESS ROYAL
Sung by Manuel Roberts of \Vesleyville, S. S. Sagona, I929.
In ",od"<J/e lime
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
tYtJ==tttl D J i J' IJ
wind
the
J I Jdl
And the
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
3
79
80
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
82
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.
I heard a
wo-man cry."
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,
10
II
12
of three jol- ly
butch-er - men, As
air r
took five hun - dred pounds in gold
All
J J f*U
on one mar-ket
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,
10
II
12
'3
14
8S
86
~ 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
Il
upon my life,
88
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 -
my
de-ceiveyou;
life
I'll
~
i J' IJ;;;;I;;;b==I==M
Jd=IJ
yen - ture
U1
J' J 4 1J J. J 1J J
Eire
wide
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."
Or /I the Nile!'
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
4
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."
4-0
THE FIRST COME IN IT WAS A RAT
Sung by Daniel Endacott, Sally'. Cove,
1970.
OF NEWFOUNDIAND
ntSinga.
Response.
IstSinga.
Response.
ISt
:2
Singer.
lsI Singer.
RlSPonSl.
1St
Singu.
Respo>JSt.
lsi Singlr.
AU logelher.
1st Singer.
Response.
1St
Singer.
Response.
91
All/ogelher.
'B
Last st.anza of a variant written out for us by another man of Fogo. The
twdlth stanza i. lacking.
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
94
TURKISH ME -D'-WAR
(THE
"~1AJuGOLD")
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
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
all,
Let this
de-light
let
let
your fan - cy
'-'
move
you:
At the first
tri . ai,
de
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
97
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
100
4- 6
SHORT JACKET
Sung by Mn. Tom White,
Wilhspiril
~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
put
bold, She'd
b&r gained
pas - sage
rrwas OD
with one
free,
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.
101
102
+7
TARPAULIN JACKET
J/
Sung by Mrs. Wbite and Dorcas Elizabeth Wbite, Sandy Cove, r9'9.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
1 3
48
BROKE -DOW
SPORT
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
15
49
ABRAM BRa".
Sung by
Jack Taylor. of
THE SAILOR
F..t
"It'l
me-lieU and
me-selfand
I
.....
I..om.u bas &!.so noted it from the western stales (MS. List).
106
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
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
1,1;'
ad - dIe - y
1'i3
ci - ty,
Rapidly
Too-dle. y
beard
do
J'
lay,"
J'631
ad-dle
'--- y'
deel
OF
EWFOUNDLAND
'7
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
,~
the sky
J' l [g'
"#
bove
us,
And
the
wa- WS be
neath
. i IU
~
u.
a - sleep.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
19
11
12
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.
110
52
GOLD WATCH
Sung by ""ill White, Sandy Cove, '929.
sum - mer
fair
eve - ning, In
cit - )',
cha.nced for to
spy,
"
I spied in
cheeks like
the
cit - y
C-/
two
to -
ses
was gay.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
I II
112
53
THE BOATSWAIN AND THE TAILOR
Sung by Daniel Endacott, Sally's Cove, 1929.
I
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
II3
54
THOMAS AND
ANCY
1920.
Recorded by E. B. G.
In
motk,al~ linu
....
I~ ~ r
"-.,;
J J 1=v-ttfTIiFB+rR=F1
Nan - cy
I&~
keeps
Be
and
Tho mas
to
part,
As she stood on
the
did start.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
"S
Qq. "byway"?
116
55
SQUIRE
ATHANIEL
D BETSY
.. -
'-~-
Bel-llyleavedher mo-thu'shousc.Shefearednotwindnor
cold;
....
Bet - sy leaved her mo-thee'shouse, She feared not where she goes,
""'-=
'-"
This
'-.:...::..-.go.
girl been young and fond in view, 'Twas Jove that made her
I
When
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
117
118
10
.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,
1920.
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).
120
57
SALLY MO ROE
Fngments recited by Mrs. Hayes on the S. S. Sarona, 1929.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
121
58
THE LASS THAT LOVED A SAILOR
Sung by Tom White, Sandy Cove, 1929.
With spirit
I loved a.
J'
;9 r
some oth. er
one,
Leaved me and my ba
Ig)\L'l-g_ I J J
f}
ba - by
in
:oJ. 1:oJ.
r I J S'r I
my
is
by in
J J
SOl -
row
SOl -
row to
UtI
to moum.
122
59
NEAR TO THE ISLE OF PORTLAND
Sung by Tom \Vhite, Sandy Cove, 1929.
I
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
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.
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.
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
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
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."
126
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
In mod"'" Ii...
is
with
I@~i
J
no
her
her name
and dwells
-----.sh.
mon ey
J' J J'
J' toJ'
hon
ny
I.d
die
it
on
the
plain,
Wess
IJ
tok.
.i'
her
And
gay, There's
J 0
1 way.
128
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.
my
age
is
six teen, My
yon-dergreen.He'splen-ty of mon-ey
to
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
63
GILDEROY
Played and sung by Isaac Churchill, Twillingate, 1929.
~
~It
~I
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.
13
i J J
0-.../
It
been
in
the
month of Jan -
ry, Bound a-
} J! J @IJeJ J' IJ
way
; J' J'
the
seas,
We dropped our
J'
ing
an - char be
ObttO
lor
breeze.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
'3 1
10
II
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.
13 2
WILLY VARE
Recited by Mrs. Isaac Mercer, St. John's, 19'9.
OF NEWFOUNDLA D
9
II
12
To succor or to save.
IS
[Stanza lost.
16
17
18
tl
133
134
19
20
21
22
23
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
'35
66
DOWN WHERE THE TIDE WAS FLOWING
Dl
a :flow- iDg
~
14" r
rI
I@"; t1 r ;' rlf44UJ iJ D; r I
ij J DLgJ
the
weath
er, Where we
~,
and
sat down In some lone - Iy spot with the branch all round. What
~ Jjl;'jJ J
air OJ
DlgzID
Bow - ing.
.
II
learned the
SODg
ung by Mrs.
1929.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
J37
II
c
Recited by Patrick Mooney, Fortune Harbour, 1929.
I
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).
67
PADDY AND THE WHALE
Sung by John Thomas Edison, Fleur de Lys, 1929.
M.tXOLYDr~ MODE
~='d'hYlhm
dy
o Bri - en
left
in
Ire - land
glee;
And the
>'---4'
whis -key he drank made his
'821@J J'l
J' J'MID
.
LR.
l'
r/
head go
I
P GPi
de
rol
i de dee.
i
He
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
139
68
ERIN'S ISLE
Recited by James Day, Fortune Harbour, 1929.
I
"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,
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
6
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~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.
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
her
; I J J -J I J J J 1M
she strolled a . long
'It.
ASO
\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."
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
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
i JI
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,
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.
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.
Read "felon."
t
t
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
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
SO
I must away."
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,
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
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
Come all
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
to
lion,
a - bout
~ I r
J' I ~=c c
las -
tell
you
now,
young
r B
That
ikJiilJ/ IJ. J U
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-
0,
Ia
up - on
to a
'-
J J IJ
dy
J'
that proved
L@B'
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
ts
in
her mind.
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
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
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
she
k C
in the
OD
~
said, "Me
Sa
~ j p:J----FEFFf5ttjj
mo- ther is
I@
oJ
J'
fore
poor, No
e 1iJ
she
r J' 021
said,
a way, don't me
"There-
OF
EWFOUNDLAND
DOt
159
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
Jl
malt - ing for home
foot
..
fig -
~.
LI J Jl l 1
af - tet
twelve in
; t
of
l ;.:~ E&Wtt:=#1
.
rest
D.
he
clothed
but
~E
all
in
got
bad: no
still
4/
Good
an - swer; The
LJ
white.
re - mained just as
;1
A
mamed
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.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
161
II
:2
79
THE PLOWBOY
Collected by Jane Quackenbush, Barr'd Harbour, 1928.
I
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
80
SOLDIER BOY
Recorded by Jane Quackenbush from the singing of John Henry
Gueunue:J:. Barr'd Harbour, 1928.
I
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
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.
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
vince my
aw
and
er
to
fight at Wa-ter-loo.
166
4
Our captain cries,
true,
II
to fall.
6
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.
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
83
APOLEON THE EXILE
(ISLE OF
ST.
HELENA)
ney
is
J
gone
to
...t J I j
de - light in.
. J' I
J
n.
is
You may
FfJ'
fast in
p'r~
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
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,
I@~ J
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
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.
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."
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
on
o~-
the banks
fine
clear
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
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
~JJ~kIEblt~
WiI-lie's not
I
re - turned
from the
plains of
c~ed. And my
.1. .;12.1 It
Wa - tcc
100,"
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
174
86
GLE COE
Communicated by Jane Quackenbush from the singing of Julie Ann
Gaullon, Barr'd Barbour, 1928.
I
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."
"0 perhaps he'll forget you for what you may knowThat lovely sweet lassie what he left in Glencoe."
II
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
175
176
WILLIAM O'ROLEY
Communicated by Mrs. Maude Roberts Simmonds, Glenburnie,
Bonne Bay, 1930.
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
Read uengraved."
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
177
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.
88
LONELY WATERLOO
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."
180
89
JE
lE 0
Sung by
THE MOOR
1929.
Rccon:Ic:d by F.. B. G.
-./
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
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.
9
RILEY TO AMERIKY
R<corded by Jane QuaeUnbusb, from the singing of John Henry
Gueunua, B&lT'd Harbour, 1928.
1
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.
WILLY REILLY
Sung by Patrick. Lahey. Fortune Harbour, 19'9.
Withspiril
"0,
..
rise
Up.
mean
leave
this
for
coun - let
dwel-ling house,
'-.-:
'\\11 ly
his
Rei! - ly,
......
to
..
hOll - ses
-.........::
Reil Iy,
go
To
and
.....
d.nd
+ ....
and
with
leave
my
lree
and
you
......
fa -
thee's
land." And
-#.
--
-~.
"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.
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,
r forced him for to leave his place and come along with mej
r loved him out of measure, which WTought our destiny."
II
12
Good my lord, he stole from her her diamonds and her rings,
Gold watch and silver buckle and many precious things,
186
13
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
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.
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.
188
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
93
THE SQUIRE'
YOUNG DAUGHTER
(~1ARy
ACKLIN)
}"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."
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,
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
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
J' J 1t=R=E1+j+LJg
of
his
t$4d41444Xli1Fr=rP
fy.
'Twas in
ci - ty,
J' J J
b~.
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.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
[A stanza telling how she went to Boston, feU sick, and died.]
o comrades, I am dying!
'94
96
YANKEE LAND
Sung by Patrick Lahey. Fortune Harbour, 1929.
I} b
AEoUAN MODE
Ff"b2aj~IJJJ J'~
In Bel-fast town down in theNorth,Wherel first felt
J' I l l ; J J
T .j
-0.'
Jt@jfl; 1 1 J' IJ
sail -or
ft
I@"
b
b
Jove a
J' :
from a
z.:=dd
J J'
sr'
"1 @:b
He spoke to
me
rrl
.../
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
'95
97
RICH AMERIKAY
Words from Joseph Shea, tune from Patrick Lewis, Fleur de Lys, 1929.
J1j J
Ye
ft'", ).
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,
When
OF
EWFO
:ULAND
197
98
THE LAMENT
(THE !luSH GIRL)
Sung by Tom White, Sandy Cove, 1929I
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
199
200
99
THE POOR FISHERMAN'S BOY
Sung by Patrick Lahey, Fortune Harbour, 19'9.
I
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.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
100
201
202
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.
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.
102
be at your command.1I
Vat.: "scarce."
Var.: "hardships."
4 Va.r.: "Soil'."
, Vat.: "a.lying."
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
8
25
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).
206
13
SU AN STRAYED THE BRINY BEACH
1920.
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,
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
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.
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 -
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
208
104-
2.
sail
of Dun dock en
I&~ J ;
Wed - nes
to
!J4J L. .
i'
day
set
sail,
Liv - c.r -
P 5 I r
And
the
: 1 ;. I J.9 ;' I!
.J
they were
pool,
night
com - ing
mer
ry
and
gay.
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.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
4
29
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).
210
15
THE BANKS OF THE DIZZY
Sung by Tom White, Sandy Cove, 1929.
In
~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
r f r r I iFf
:;J
1 J - Ilone
All
iJd r r r r Ir W
banks
ga.y,
J J
of
,
i
the
14=JI
Diz - zy.
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
212
106
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,
"The grace of G<>d about you and your ould plaid shawL"
l've heard of highway robbers that, with pistols and with knives,
But think of me that handed out my heart and head and all
To a simple little cailin in an ould plaid shawl!
6
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-
17
THE PRENTICE BOY
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
21 5
BoNNY ANNE
Recorded by Jane Quackenbush from the singing of John Henry
Gueunuex, Barr'd Harbour, 1928.
I
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.
216
108
1920.
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.
218
19
THE IRISH tAN'S SHA TTY
Recited by Mrs. Hayes and John Maher, S. S. Sagona, 1929.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
110
PADDY BACKWARD
Written out by Joan Enda.cou, Sally's Cove, 192[.
I
If
220
III
OF EWFO
DLA.'<D
221
112
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
"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
do?"
aying, "Fare you well, sweet Wigginstown, Pll never more
see youl"
8
I know you could buy a better suit than that for fifty pounds."
10
11
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.
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
:2
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
We've been
mm
and
yc:&r.
for
fif -
ty
ta
in
the
boys
I've
to
- 8eth - er
sailed
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
rage.
228
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
116
THE BANKS OF NEWFOUNDLAND
By permission of Gerald S. Doyle, St. John's.
I
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
II?
I9~9.
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
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
~
'I
.-&-o
do de-clare, And she dwells in New-found-land.
2.34
OF
EWFOUNDLAND
235
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
WADHA 1'S SO G
By permission of Gerald S. Doyle, St. John's.
I
:2
OF
EWFOUNDLAND
<l37
II
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.
120
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
239
there.
1 Regatta Day, when these sailing races on Quidi Vidi Lake are held, is still a national holiday in Newfoundland.
121
.. .
l ;. J
It was ear ly
WPI C
C S
wind be - ing
sou' - west
The
e Is J' i
we
ran
out
the
J' I
bay;
The
wise
young
crew, And
crowd
of
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
: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
OUT
1
I
J
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."
122
1.
John's.
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
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,
masts~
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.
12 3
_ BriskI,
.
J J' J 1 iJ J J' IJ J
Come all
yc jol - Iy
doo't mean to
tiL]
:wti ds s ~
JJ
$t&rt~
cd to
fit
It
you long;
iI
I
H'S
J 1@#1
all
'1.
my lOng;
St. John's.
We
we had signed on
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
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,
13
jl
We steered our course for Bonavist', the water calm and still,
But before dark we anchored in the place called Wesleyville.
14
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
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.
na~tivehome.a
1J]I; J'J
have no time
to
put
-./
place you allknow
well.
........
like to
-....:-tell.
Change Islands is our native home, a place you all know well.
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
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'
13
IS
The weather still got hotter, plenty nippers, flies and stout; I
A decision they arrived at and a cod-trap was put out.
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
22
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.
12
Recorded by E. B. G.
19 ;' 1 J' i
t :
J'
I@
.-- 1 t, El
oJ:
she was
1y - ing
to 'Bout
EE;
,
~; i J'J' J' l111tJIJIJIJ
twen - 1y - Jive or
CHORe'S
'bb
J I J V t J' J'
$iiiI - or,
$=tIiJ'
J
'. /1t1-J
of Bac -
at -
hao.
...
llM
whal - er;
J 3'7'11
. 3 =t IjI
- I' i J.
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
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.
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
b'ys,
And
J J
when
he
LllJ J
a - round the
~~~
11 D.
on the flake. A - ha
me'
cape. He
me rid - dIe I
day.
uru
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
255
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
Cuoars
1&"
r spent
Da)
nee, John
11
Cltor11S:
To me hook, urn, na,
To me na, na, nee,
John Dooley's punt,
And a wee, wall, wee.
2
II
OF
EWFOUNDLAND
'257
128
1920.
Recorded by E. 8. G.
I~ J.
be - ing .their on - ly
b'y.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
259
m (copyright 18so), p. 40; Pound, AmtTlGOn Balkuis olUi Songs, pp. 69-7t. etc.,
etc.
2.60
12 9
GEORGE'S BANK
Sung by Daniel Endacott, Sally's Cove,
1921.
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."
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
sailed
be
{rom the
bar - bar
and storm.
Our
Out
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.
13 1
JACK HI KS
By permission of Gerald S. Doyle, St. John's.
I
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.
13 2
THE RYANS AND THE PITTMANS
By permission or Gerald S. Doyle, St. John's.
In
r.J(}(kra/~ lime
-..
f9'
F3
rant
and
we'll
roar
-.. -..
like
J'
deck
and
he
til
bot-tom
in
Chan - nel
J'
r
-
low,
J'
Un-
0' j -..f"
side
the
to
Too - low
we'U
When
go.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
4
10
268
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
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,
god-dess of
J I:; 1 J ILU
of
Delle Isle,
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
2
I II modermlJ lim4
l@ffl1li
Ye
}A J
Ith&
""'.
Till
J J .]1
;' 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
.~
to
La - gy
Day.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
Saying, U If you address my daughter,
I 'U send her far away J
Likewise America,
Till I will sight my heart's delight,
The Star of Logy Bay.
Now to conclude and fInish,
27 1
135
ALL AROUND GREEN ISLAND SHORE
(A GENEROUS PROPOSAL AND A HEARTLESS REJECTION)
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.
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
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
"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
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)
r IF
Q
song.
1&
e=t
nol
1&
l i J'
p.
de - lay you
long.
ttJ
J 1
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
New-found -land.
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.
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
II
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
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~
i J' J
pas-sen-gers
down
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.
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
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.
~~'gll;
She got
__
~=n
trn : nIl J. J
bark,
To
clwg< 01
Cap - ta.in
.'l
&ev -
~
r~
J'_
try
-./
en - ty
#goo
'='"
Clark.
in
the
..
GWE
em-
in
hun-dred and
race,
Some
ill3 =
''In l --.:r
~iijbU
.
1 -
UI,
and
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.
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
MAJOR
A,...."D
MueOLVI)IAN MODES
tell
f@~ F
A - bout
the
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
Last Saturday night at eight o'clock the steamer left the pier,
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.
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.
"I
in
J' ;' I J J J J
yet,-
Two
fine young
~ I~
the
iD
from
I&~;J J J
jaws
New-foundland. Snatched
J I J. J' J 4
death. Two
of
niJ
born in
drift in
fine
an an - py
sea,
J J ILlusJ 013,11
Ju bi -lu
on the eigbt-eenth of
A - pril.
286
oafS
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
13
14
15
16
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.
~IJ
Come all
no ble
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
: : rocks he
fo~.
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.
14-3
THE THORWALDSEN
Sung by James Endacott, Sally's Cove,
1920.
OF NEWFOUNDLA D
9
10
II
I'
13
14
IS
29 1
Rcccntcd by . B. G.
aJ' J .. IJ 1 J 11 J.
II
J"
,85TH
stands a light-bouse on
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
Alone within the lighthouse tower
II
]2
II
14-5
CAPTAIN WILLIAM JACKMAN, A
FOUNDLAND HERO
EW-
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
As he came down the scraggy path,
A cry fell on his ear.
,I.
I.
If
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
15
16
l7
18
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
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,
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.
300
6
10
prayer,
And may be rest in heaven, free from all earthly carc.
I
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
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
3 01
14-7
302
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
33
14- 8
THE COOKS OF TORBAY
Sung by James Day, Fortune Harbour, 1929.
1
II
14-9
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.
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
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.
IS
THE ROVING
EWFOUNDLA..'1DERS
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
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.
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
tOWD,
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.
38
15 1
EXPEDITIO.
+
3. In
-- fin's
+
Baf
'death of Fran-ke-lin no
Bay
-./
The
..........
sail-ors do dwell.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
'B
Words from Mrs. Minnie Payne, Green Point, 1929.
39
3 '0
c
Words from Stephen John r.e"is, Fleur de Lys, 1929_
I
2:
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
Clwrus:
Success to France and England!
Hurray, my boys, hurray!
Sebastopol is taken,
3 12
OF NE\'IIFOUNDLAND
3 13
153
THE MURDER OF YOUNG SOMERS
Played by Isaac Churchill, Tv.-illingate. 1929I
(The man who stabbed Somers did not mean to kill him, but
was after another man.)
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
3'5
3 16
155
COD LIVER OIL SONG
Sung by Gordon Willis, Fogo, 1929.
I
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!:
CP
An,., Leav-ing New York, our native home, Bound down to Newfoundland.
I
3 18
DO ALD
lONROE
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
3 20
Brothers and sisters, now adieu, all near and dear to me,
So far beyond the ocean, whose forms I ne'er shall see!
II
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
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
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
322
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.
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
160
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
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
FP8
dan - gee,
and
war - ri - ors
tl j ITFbgbEF ['
1~,b&2 F F F IJ
driv - er,
s 12
what he
CHORUS
JJl44-1J;
cold.
I~'" J LbIF
I~ ,b,
I J .U I j
I&~' F
get on
FIF
F IF" l j
to get
IJ
JI
I; J J Ij II
0 -
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
I
32 5
in song,
DOW, since their trade is advancing, they'll come out
aD
And long may they live to drive it upon Paymeoch and Tomjoe.
4
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.
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,
_gLkilLJ Wil%@JJ
don't you try sub-bing? Tbey're making good wa-gesup-on tbeT..nnLakcs."
328
r.
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
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
HARRY DUNN
Sung by J\.f.rs. Michael Walsh and Agatha Walsh, Fleur de Lys, [930.
I
330
"Harry dear, there's no time to lose; it's time to fall the pine."
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)
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~
I1J IJ.
J
could
logs
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
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
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;
:1
Here's adieu unto Prince Edward Isle, those island girls so true!
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
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!
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).
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
'Tis
out
we
'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.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
337
166
SALLY BROWN
Sung by Capt. John Gullage, S. S. Sagtma, 1929.
Recorded by E. B. G.
1@1 J
LJ4ifP
wants you,
l
roll
and
go,
Roll
and
go
and
ho,
Ay
J Ir
she
rolls
D I)
J Ir
you,
16 7
HAUL ON THE BO'LINE
Sung by Mr. H. W. LeM:esurier and Mr. Charles Hutton,
St. John's, 1929.
Haul
on
the
the
ho'
bo'
line,
....
line,
Haul,
boys,
line,
Haul!
}'ea.n,
l{
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
339
168
JOLLY POKER
Rev.
~
lVilhspirit
~f$j1=tfj'dII
And it',
tfJ'i
my jol-ly
l J' II Et4$1
J
it's
my
jol. Iy
pok
IJ
er-
01
16 9
PREITY JESSIE OF THE RAILWAY BAR
I saw a tall and 'andsome girl who stood behind the bar;
I heard someone call her Jessie, p'raps 'twas Mrs. Pon de
Lessie,
And her diamond eyes were twinkling just like the evening
star.
He:rringN~ck
OF NEWFOUNDlAND
Sun, u..ith mDrk~4 acctnJs 0,,4 rapidly
~
(}
It. J ISS
341
J'I
tall and 'and-some girl who stood be - bind the bar; I heard
8.
~S J' J' Ie
c t:LloJ"=t=~
t lllL~1
~LIt:t1t ;L&J'tT1
dill - mond eyes were twink.-Iing just
I~'
rt
0 J'
dame made
I~'
in
love
the mom-ing
&. l
night.
talk
0 J' )'1;
butch-er
and
bak -
a - bout his
pa and
r 'it
el.
his
tlll
qui - ct-look-ing
Quak-er,
at
l~ttttl.J.WI
If'rlo
ma.
0":'\
Jl Jll
In
50
sail- Of,
that c:ame.
all
to
CsORtl'S:
1~ .
t .J 1
qui - et sort of
first train
like
J'I~"t
) I J. II
the railway
bar.
34~
Speken: .. I s'y, Bill, if there ain't Jessie out with another swell.
I've seen her out with
CIu>rus.
4 Now my confidence was shaken, and I thought the boys mistaken,
And my modesty would not permit to ask if it were true.
I proposed and she accepted, in a manner unohjected,
And the tears she shed completely hid from me her eyes of
blue.
I sent her a wedding dress, fit for an emperess,
And saw the porter give it her while serving at the bar;
But on my wedding day, pretty Jessie ran away,
She got married to the man that sold the Herald at the Star.
S paken: And all I had to say for myself was, she had taken in
beside myself
Chorus.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
343
;'IJ lEY
Twas the tink - er
I@~b F C J ilj4J;;J'IJ J J
sail- or, And the swclilhal used to
talk
)tggI
a-bout his
pa
and his
~I J J'r s IR#lltt@i$tJ
rna; 'Twas the butch-er and the bak -er And the charm-ing-look - ing
~ C
~
J 112 J'J ilJ pr ;I~
344
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
LAUGHI G SONG
Suog by Mrs. Fred Earle, Fogo l 1929.
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
0'
cold."
347
10
I I
12
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
and
Which made a
bad
I~~ J.
youth,
n,
ware
warn - ing of
u
of
pi
Beware of piracy.
<y.
35
12
14
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
'S
..
35'
35 2
25
26
27
28
29
30
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
174BOLD McCARTHY
Sung by Phillip Major, Sally's Cove, 1929.
I
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?
OF
EWFOUNDLAND
355
175
JOHN MORRISSEY AND THE BLACK
Sung by Edward Wiseman, Fortune Harbour, (929.
I
No refreshments,
DO
And the Irish all cheer him whilst leaving the ring.
There'~
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
357
17 6
THE THREE OLD JEWS
Sung by James Day, Fortune Harbour, 1929.
Once
on
I@'
old
Jews,
Jews,
Three old
Once
]ews.lews. Jews,
35 8
If
Pack-carriers:'
laYS
Jimmie Day,
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
177
CALIFORNIA
BROTHERS
359
II
"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
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
17 8
YOUNG JIMMY AND THE OFFICER
Sung by Mrs. Tom White, Jr., Sandy Cove, 1929.
I
36'2
11
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
Jack Taylor,
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
180
FLORELLA
Sung by Mrs.
II
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
nf La. ESOME
CE MY "laTHER DIED
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
Slwly
My
Fi:#=:
~. J J 4J' J " llr
birth-place and
my Ita-lion
tP8
tell.
I've
race.
37
4
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.
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.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
37 1
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
18 5
WOMEN'S THE JOY AND THE PRIDE
OF THE LAND
Sung by Thomas Endacott, Sally'a Cove, 1929.
1
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
-..
-.
Tum
ttD$tn J ~~--nIj929
m.
376
V. Wn..' l) SllAJtES
VI.
TUE.
8AIlLY
Rapidl,
f@i ...n
mtJ
fjLJ-#1 J z
Tum
f4913 d
nf) IfiJ2iJ
IOJ "'~;;$
OF
EWFO
DLAND
377
192Q.
Qt" ADkILU:
N04tOO!=
.r-"
..
Tum
~I
378
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~
I2J)
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
379
~ Irl8}~.tjm Iffl
~ ffl n-1TfiI n In!1jUI at Q1tI
Turn
~tsioJ t
----po
m
tid
Cftf:lJ
Ed
.
rJi3EO
BALLADS A D SEA SO GS
188
JIGS
Sung by Leonard Coles, Sandy Cove, 1929.
'
..
~-
'
..
WE
WILL
A - hunt - ing
Catch a
(OJ:
Go
we
will
go,
a - bunt - ing
we
go.
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
18 9
STEP DANCES
Sung by Leonard and Lush Coles, Sandy Cove, 1929.
STAn OF B.uu:y
38 I
INDEXES
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
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
129
338
39
25
24
r87
308
214
220
157
:204
144
92
140
104
r02
3[6
2r6
194
387
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)
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
43
275
191
334
266
258
252
192
254
ISS
184
59
99
73
12
222
317
121
351
208
361
268
180
142
318
94
57
76
'38
128
146
337
28t
"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
389
28
127
63
343
292
310
149
336
[79
32
272
:II4
313
232
]37
158
136
364
363
105
49
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)
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)
Cruel
~rother,
Sharemen, The
The ~ -0.6) .
_'0. 121)
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) . . . .
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
.. .
J06
25 2
180
.
Jim
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)
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
155
,88
'1J
..
110)
'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) . .
.
.
6Q
91
144114
Z90
327
2.}
82
357
82
S9
94
9
QI
21
61
102
o"&ney (. '0.54)
270
382
206
106
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