Print This Page#00702 Print This Page
Small craft in a harbour that's still and serene,
Give no indication what their ways have been;
They rock at their moorings all nestled in dreams,
Away from the roll of the sea.
Their stern lines are groaning a lullaby air,
A ghost in the cuddy, a gull on the spar;
But never they whisper of journeys afar,
Away from the roll of the sea.
Oh, had they the tongues for to speak,
What tales of adventure they'd weave;
But now they are anchored to sleep,
And slumber alee.
Come fair winds to wake them tomorrow, we pray,
Come harvest a-plenty to them ev'ry day;
Till guided by harbour lights they're home to stay,
Away from the roll of the sea.
See more Allister MacGillivray songs.
Allister MacGillivray noted that this song was written in response to a photo of Glace Bay Harbour (Cape Breton), as taken by noted photographer Warren Gordon. I wanted to write a song with no people in it, only boats at rest. Of course, there's a ghost in one of the verses but he/she doesn't qualify as a human. The song was written as a folk tune at first, but then seemed to work as a choral piece as well. It's been recorded worldwide around 40 times.-- AMG to George Seto/Mudcat, Aug 9, 2007.
From the Dictionary Of Newfoundland English:
Cuddy - a cabin at the bow or stern of a small vessel or large boat
for accommodation and provisions.
