“Two Jinkers”
Description
The two jinkers of the title are Jimmie Walsh and Steven. Bad luck to have on board, they were only hired here because men are hard to find. Their ship runs aground and Jimmie and Steven are responsible. The perturbed singer plans to quit his job.
Notes
People who are bad luck on ships are referred to as "Jonahs." [After Jonah, in the Bible, whose presence aboard a ship brought on a storm. - RBW] Smaller vessels were usually run on a family basis or by a very close group, which led to intolerance of strangers. For more about Jonahs, consult Horace Beck, _Folklore and the Sea_ (Mystic, Conn.: Mystic Seaport Museum, 1985) 303-304. - SH
The author is named by GEST Songs of Newfoundland and Labrador site. - BS
References
- Doyle2, p. 11, "Two Jinkers" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Doyle3, p. 82, "Two Jinkers" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Blondahl, pp. 34-35, "Two Jinkers" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Roud #7315
- BI, Doy11