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The Bird Rocks

from Gulf of St. Lawrence by Crosscurrents Music

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about

Kenneth Peacock collected this from Annie Walters of Rocky Harbour., Newfoundland Sadly, by the time I arrived in Rocky Harbour in 1985, Mrs. Walters was so tired of folklorists and collectors, she wouldn’t see me. Still hoping, I dedicated it to her each time I sang it at the park campfire sings at Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse. 

lyrics

'Twas winter down the icy Gulf, The Gulf St. Lawrence wide,
Where stands a light-house on a rock, The sailor's friend and guide.

The keeper and his wife and son, A helper too had he,
These four alone lived on that rock, Surrounded by the sea.

One day these three brave men went out, As they were wont to do,
On rugged sheets of frozen ice To capture seals a few.

But as they lingered o'er the seals, At length they failed to see
The wind had veered from south to east And drove the ice to sea.

The sheets of ice on which they stood Were drifted all unseen,
And now they could not gain that rock For water flowed between.

They wove their hands in wild despair And did for rescue pray,
But not a soul was near to help That freezing winter's day.

Alone within the light-house tower, The keeper's wife did see
Her loved ones carried to their doom Toward the open sea.

Four months she lived on that lone rock, Grief-stricken yet so brave,
For nightly gleamed her beacon light Across the gloomy wave.

At length the welcome spring appeared, A steamship came around,
And when the skipper climbed the rock But one brave soul he found.

She told her tale in plaintive tones, The skipper's eyes grew dim,
He turned his eyes toward the sea, His heart was touched within.

"What did you do," at last he said, "When all was snatched from you?"
"I kept my light still burning, sir, 'Twas all that I could do."

Oh may we, like this faithful soul In sorrow's darkest night,
Still do our duty for our God, And show the world our light!

credits

from Gulf of St. Lawrence, released January 17, 2021
trad.

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Crosscurrents Music Boston, Massachusetts

Lynn Noel brings traditional song and heritage arts online to create community. Lynn has a voice of striking clarity and power, equally at home in rhythmic chanteys and flowing ballads.

Lynn is a respected song session leader on both sides of the Atlantic and the producer and host of the Mermaid's Tavern online folk club. She is currently Program Chair of the New England Folk Festival (NEFFA).
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