Print This Page#01384 Print This Page
Attention all ye fishermen and read this ballad down,
And hear about the sealers strike the other day in town;
When full five thousand northern men did walk the streets all day,
With cool determined faces, struck out to get fair play.
Each steamer's crew did fall in line, while cheers out wildly rang,
Led on by one brave Colloway, the leader of the gang;
Free berths, it was their motto boys, and no man would give in,
A fight for death or glory, boys, this victory to win.
They halted just before the bank, when all hands fell in line,
They went inside to state their case before A. B. Morine;
He got the terms to suit the men and from the van did call,
That he secured three-fifty and free berths for one and all.
A ringing cheer the sealers gave, with hearts both light and gay,
And three times three they gave Morine, the man who gained the day;
With happy hearts they fisted bags, as lightly they did trip,
With boots and bags and baking pans, to get on board their ships.
When soon around the northern head they disappear from view,
Manned by a plucky, hardy race, a bully northern crew;
And may they come with bumper trips, it is our earnest prayer,
The boys who nobly showed the pluck and fought to get their share.
From John White's Collection Of Johnny Burke Songs, Edited by: William J. Kirwin, Harry Cuff Publications, Ltd., St. John's, NL.
Note: The sealers' strike took place from 8 March to 12 March, 1902.
