“The Spring of '97”

Description

"The Spring of '97 boys, For if we never knew The hardship of the frozen pan, We suffered with them too." "We struck the seals off Cabot Isle, Five days out from port" The song describes killing harp seals, storm, ice damage, and sealers dying.

Supplemental text

Spring of '97, The
  Partial text(s)

          *** A ***

As printed in Ryan & Small, Haulin' Rope & Gaff, pp. 44-45. From the third (1955)
edition of Doyle's Old Time Songs and Poetry of Newfoundland.

The Spring of Ninety Seven boys.
For if we never knew
The hardship of the frozen pan,
We suffered with them too.

We struck the seals off Cabot Isle
Five days out from port;
We thought to have no long delay,
And loading would be sport.

(10 additional stanzas)

References

1. Peacock, pp. 976-977, "The Spring of '97" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. Doyle3, p. 74, "The Spring of '97" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. Blondahl, pp. 77-78, "The Spring of '97" (1 text, 1 tune)
4. Ryan/Small, pp. 44-45, "THe Spring of '97" (1 text, 1 tune)
5. ST Doyl3074 (Partial)
6. Roud #6470
7. BI, Doyl3074