The Dying Seal-Hunter (Leonard Meehan) with lyrics and video

#1260: YouTube video by oldirishladdie ©2010.
~ Used with permission ~

I can hear their sirens blowing,
As they steam to hunt the floe,
Where the young whitecoats are growing,
As they bed down in the snow.

Raise me up that I may see her,
My old ship, and a last farewell
To her captain by the wheelhouse,
As she clears the harbour bell.

How I long to be out with them,
Faithful comrades every one,
Where the diadems of Arctic
Glisten in the morning sun.

Where the North King reigns in splendour,
As they beat into his realm,
Sturdy Newfoundland seal-hunters,
Masters of ice-pan and helm.

As they fade out from my vision,
Down the Northern Front to roam,
Fate has made for me decision,
I won't greet them coming home.

Raise me up that I may see her,
My old ship, and a last farewell
To her captain by the wheelhouse,
As she clears the harbour bell.
As she clears the harbour bell.

####.... Otto P. Kelland [1904-2004] of Flatrock, NL. (© Jocelyn Kelland) ....####

Published in The Daily News, St. John's, NL, March 11, 1960, p.2.

Recorded by Leonard Meehan (Songs Of The Anchor Watch, trk#5, 1961, Citadel, St. John's, NL, A collection of Newfoundland songs written and composed by Otto P. Kelland).

From the Dictionary of Newfoundland English:
Ice-Pan - loose piece of floating ice with a flat surface.
Northern Front - seas east and north-east of Newfoundland, especially the area covered by the leading edge of the ice which moves south in the spring and on which the seal-herds whelp; the seal-hunt.

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