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I grew up in Tilting, a village by the sea;
The memories of the harbour are very dear to me.
Scenes from out of childhood, stories of renown;
The passing fact and fancies that once was Tilting Town.
Heritage remembered, memories so fine;
I remember Tilting in the rare auld time.
Bully boats in full sail from the offer ground;
Sailing through the tickle no longer can be found.
Strangers in the harbour, schooners black and green;
Dozens moored at anchor no longer may be seen.
Heritage remembered, memories so fine;
I remember Tilting in the rare auld time.
Rocky roads and pathways, led to house and farm;
What a great adventure to walk to Joe Batts Arm!
Dance on wooden bridges, as the moon shone bright
Waiting for a sweetheart in the summer's night.
Heritage remembered, memories so fine;
I remember Tilting in the rare auld time.
Herds of cows at twilight, trudging homeward bound;
Every cowbell jingling, all make a happy sound.
Lantern light from stages, gleaming through the night;
Shining on the harbour make such a pretty sight!
Heritage remembered, memories so fine;
I remember Tilting in the rare auld time.
Our little town keeps changing, as everyone can see;
The old church where we worshipped is just a memory.
The union store has vanished, and Bryan's it is torn down;
But these are memories I have of my hometown.
Heritage remembered, memories so fine;
I remember Tilting in the rare auld time.
Note: Originally called Tilton Harbour until 1906, the village of Tilting was a prosperous fishing settlement on the eastern side of Fogo Island, Newfoundland.
From the Dictionary Of Newfoundland English:
Bully boat - a decked boat used on the northeast coast and Labrador for fishing and carrying fish, usually about 15 to 30 feet long with a capacity for about 30 quintals of fish. They had two masts and were equipped with a mainsail, foresail, topsail, and sometimes a jib.
Offer - offshore, away from the land; the further seaward of two (or more) objects or features; outer.
Stage - an elevated platform on the shore with working tables, sheds, etc, where fish are landed and processed for salting and drying, and fishing gear and supplies are stored.
Tickle - a narrow salt-water strait, as in an entrance to a harbour or between islands or other land masses, often difficult or treacherous to navigate because of narrowness, tides, etc; a 'settlement' adjoining such a passage.
