Sea Shanties about Sealing

Sea Shanties about Sealing

"The Ghostly Crew"

You may smile if you're a mind to, but perhaps you'll lend an ear

Like men and boys together, well neigh for fifty year

Who've sailed upon the ocean in summer's pleasant days

Likewise in stormy winter when the howling wind do rage

I've tossed about on Georges, been fishing in the Bay,

Down south in early summer-most anywhere would pay.

I've been in different vessels to the Western Bank and Grand

Likewise in herring vessels that sail to Newfoundland.

There I saw rough times, I tell you, when things look[ed] rather blue

Somehow I have been lucky and always have got through.

I ain't no boast, however-I won't say much, but then

I wasn't easily frightened like most of other men.

One night as we were sailing, beware of [we were off] land a way

I never shall forget it until my dying day-

It was in our grand dog [the dim dark] watches I felt a chilly dread

Come over me as though I heard one calling from the dead.

Right o'er our rail came climbing, all silent, one by one,

A dozen hardy sailors. Just wait till I am done.

Their faces pale and sea-worn, all ghostly through the night

Each fellow took his station as if he had a right.

They moved about together till land did heave in sight,

Or rather, I should say so, the lighthouse threw its light

[lighthouse tower's light] ;

And then those ghostly sailors all to the rail as one,

They vanished like the morning dew after the rising sun.

Those were the same poor fellows-I hope God bless their souls

That our old craft run under that night on Georges Shoals.

Well, now my song is ended; it is just as I have said [just as I say]

I do believe in spirits, from that I'm to be led [since that time

anyway]

"The Sealer's Song"

On the Terra Nova Captain Kean with two hundred and ten,
Went through the gap this morning for to try her luck again;
The screaming of the Eagle was heard both high and low,
Commander son of Abraham, young sturdy Captain Joe.

Next came the stout Aurora commanded by Dan Green,
Then Captain Sam Bob Windsor in Bowring's Algerine;
Chased by the bold Ice Ranger bound on her sealing quest,
No notice to the danger and with the bishop she is blessed.

George Blandford sails the Vanguard, the pride of Baine Johnston,
Now long live Captain Blandford and bring him bumper trips;
There's another that can find them where'er they're to be found,
'Tis Bully young Bill Windsor who sails the old Bloodhound.

George Barret sails the Neptune, he's as good as ever been,
Joby Kean commands the Eric he's the son of Captain Kean;
And that lucky ship Diana she bears a man of fame,
From Newton, Bonavista, Alpheus Barbour is his name.

Jim Barret sails the Iceland, a bold seal killer, too,
Dan Bragg commands the Greenland to show what Bragg can do;
Another that can find them where'er they're to be found,
'Tis bully young Bill Windsor who sails the old Bloodhound.

Jacob Windsor sails the Walrus that slides by Browning's store,
My good friend Baxter Barbour that sails in the Labrador;
And Jacob Kind in the Virginal Lake makes up the twenty ships,
And my best wish may they all return filled up with bumper trips.

"THE SEALING CRUISE OF THE LONE FLIER"

Come all ye jolly seal-men and listen to my song;
I don't mean to offend you, and won't delay you long;
It's all about our sealing trip from Twillingate to St. John's
We started to fit our vessel our before we had signed on.

Our ship was fitted very well, from a radio to a shovel.
The only thing delayed our ship was a little engine trouble.
While taking in our ballast, some of us were drunk,
And more of us worked very hard, while the others lay in bunk.

It was on a Tuesday morning when our captain came from shop.
He said, "My boys, you'll now sign on, and then you'll get the crop."
Our crop composed of boots and clothes, likewise a fork and pan.
If there's anything else you wan, my boys, you must get it how you can.

Some of us took oilclothes and one of us took a watch,
He had it for to see the time, while he was at the swatch.
We enjoyed ourselves there very well, with laughter and with smile,
When Thomas White he went on deck, saying "B'ys, her comes the ile!"

Our captain's name was Solomon White, our chief mate was John Oake,
Our 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 off Bonavista Bay.
We motored in the daytime, and tied up in the night,
And on the following evening the "Nascopee" hove in sight.

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, 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 cat.
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.

We killed most everyting we saw, from a hood unto a harp;
I don't just know who killed the most, but I think it was John Sharp.
Two accidents befell our crew upon that very day,
When Robert Legge met a narrow escape about two miles away.

Peter Trooke, a smart young man, was working in the hold
When a cask of oil fell through the hatch and gave him a severe blow.
Edmond Hines was a smart young man and everything went well,
Until we donkeyed him five times and he got mad as hell.

Our crew all numbered twenty-eight, with seven in the watch;
Seven rifles were used among these men, and they were all keen shots;
Now these two men I must include, and that's the engineers, -
Herbert Watkins was our chief, Jack White when he's not there.

It was on a Tuesday morning we made another start,
When Gordon Dove cried from the barrel, "I can see the schooner 'Harp!'"
We steered a course for Bonavist, the water calm and still,
But before dark we anchored in the place called Wesleyville.

Seldom-come-by was our next port; it was there we had to call;
The ice was cutting by the Cape, a knock-back for us all;
We slipped our lines in Seldom, for northward we were bound;
The ice was cutting by the Cape, and we could not get round.

And one thing then we did spy our, that our rudder was split in two;
It was Walter Pilkey found it our, a benefit to the crew.
And now to conclude and finish, I've one thing more to say, -
It was about one mile from Seldom, where we carried our blades away.

On the twenty-fifth of April, as we were near our town,
Four rodneys we then put out to tow her to the town.
Now our crew and captain must be mentioned. and I believe my song is the longes
t of all,
And if you want a berth to the ice, please give Mr Ashbourne a call.

(composed by the twenty-nine men of the crew of the Lone Flier, March 10-April 25, 1929)

GREAT BIG SEA, TURN

"Ferryland Sealer"

Oh, our schooner and our sloop in Ferryland they do lie
They are already rigged to be bound for the ice
All you lads of the Southern we will have you to beware
She is going to the ice in the Spring of the year

[Chorus:]

Laddie whack fall the laddie, laddie whack fall the day

Our course be east-north-east for two days and two nights
Our captain he cried out "Boys, look ahead for the ice!"
He hove her about standing in for the land,
And 'twas in a few hours we were firm in the jam.

Oh our captain he cried out, "Come on boys and lend a hand!"
Our cook he gets the breakfast and each man takes a dram.
With their hats in their hands it was earlye for to go,
Every man showed his action 'thout the missing of a blow

Some were killing some were scalping, some were hauling on board,
Some more they were firing and a-missing of their loads.
In the dusk of the evening all hands in from the cold,
And we counted nine hundred fine scalps in the hold.

We are now off Cape Spear and in sight of Cape Broyle
We will dance, sing, carouse, my boys, in just a little while.
We will soon enjoy the charms of our sweethearts and friends,
But it will not be long before we're down to the bend.

"The Sealer's Song"

The Block House flag is up today,
To welcome home the Stranger;
And Stewart's House is looking out,
For Barbour in the Ranger.

But Job's are wishing Blandford first,
Who never missed the patches;
He struck them on the twenty-third,
And filled her to the hatches.

And Bowring too will bet a few,
On Jackman in the Howler;
The little Kite she bore in sight,
With Billy Knee the Jowler.

The first of the fleet is off Torbay,
All with their colours flying;
And girls are busy starching shirts,
And pans of beef-steaks frying.

Though short of grog, still lots of prog,
To bring us home quite hearty;
Each Trinity dove fell wild in love,
With Walsh and Luke McCarthy.

Oh, in the spring the flippers bring,
To lawyers, clerks or beagle;
We fought brave Neptune up and down,
And carried home the Eagle.

Though some may sing of lords or kings,
Brave heroes in each battle;
Our boys for fat, would gaff and bat,
And make the whitecoats rattle.

They kill their foe at every blow,
(Was Waterloo much grander?)
To face, who could, an old dog hood,
Like a plucky Newfoundlander?

We danced on shore in Bremmner's store,
The darling girls were dancers;
Jemina Snooks our boys would hook,
At every set of lancers.

I felt afraid of the fuss they made,
Of each confounded villain;
I thought the floor would leave the store,
At the Trinity Bay cotillion!

Don't talk to me of balls or sprees,
You never saw such a party;
That time on shore at Bremmner's store,
Made all feel good and hearty.

For at a dance no girls can prance,
Nor dress in style much grander;
For an Irish reel, that takes the heel,
To please a Newfoundlander.

So here's success to Susie Bess,
And girls from all out-harbours;
For a kiss set in on a sealer's chin,
Which never saw the barber.