“Willy March”

Description

Willy is stranded on the ice and can walk no further. He sends his companion, who is the only other survivor of their group, to the Cape St. Francis lighthouse for assistance but Willy dies before help can return.

Supplemental text

Willy March
  Partial text(s)

          *** A ***

As printed in Ryan & Small, Haulin' Rope & Gaff, p. 107. Reprinted
from George Allan England's Vikings of the Ice (1924), republished
1969 as The Greatest Hunt in the World.

"De home of his childhood, in Nothren Bay,
He quit it for pleasure, much more 'an for pay.
On de icefields he ventured, most yout'ful an' brave,
Whereon he fought death, but his life could not save.

(6 additional stanzas)

Notes

Cape St. Francis is north of St. John's at the mouth of Conception Bay. - SH

References

1. Doyle2, p. 80, "Willy March" (1 text)
2. Blondahl, p. 67, "Willie March" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. Ryan/Small, p. 107, "Willie March" (1 text, 1 tune)
4. ST Doy80 (Partial)
5. Roud #7320
6. BI, Doy80