Jolly Poker (Stuffed Squid) with lyrics and video

#03197

Jolly Poker (Stuffed Squid) with lyrics and video
See also: Haul Her Along (Celtic Connection)
And also: Big Bank (Ocean's Away)
And also: Johnny Poker (Winterton Boat Building Museum)

#1941: YouTube video by NfldCod ©2010
~ Used with permission ~

There's a skiff on the landwash, she's all corked and painted,
The time for launchin' he is come. Fly, my boys!
The men have all gathered, they're yarnin' and braggin',
Someone brought a few shots of rum. Gimme a swig of that, bo'!
They gather all around her, she's perched on her keel,
Then one of the men starts to bawl. Get around t'other side little!
Get ready, me laddies, we'll all pull together; haul, Jolly Poker, haul.

And it's to me, Jolly Poker, we'll rock and roll 'er over,
And it's to me, Jolly Poker, haul.

Uncle Tom built a new store, but the old one's still needed,
Now it's got to be moved over there. Get those skids on the road!
The fishing's suspended to get the things ready,
It's gettin' on late in the year. Bit of frost last night!
The boys come to help him, the store's up on her runners,
And Uncle Tom's givin' the go. Gather around there now, look!
Grab hold to the rope, boys, let's all pull together; then haul, Jolly Poker, haul.

And it's to me, Jolly Poker, we'll rock and roll 'er over,
And it's to me, Jolly Poker, haul.

Now the snow's piled high, and the men are in the woods,
They're cuttin' firewood for the year. Few more loads and no light!
The horses are a-steamin' as they work for their masters,
Their bells jingle so loud and clear. There isn't a big strip there, look!
As men hit the soft spot, she's up to her belly,
Let's help her before she does maul. Get up! Get up!
Grab hold to the traces, let's all pull together; and haul, Jolly Poker, haul.

And it's to me, Jolly Poker, we'll rock and roll 'er over,
And it's to me, Jolly Poker, haul.

Grab hold to the rope, boys, let's all pull together,
Haul, Jolly Poker, haul.

And it's to me, Jolly Poker, we'll rock and roll 'er over,
And it's to me, Jolly Poker, haul.

Get ready, me laddies, let's all pull together,
Haul, Jolly Poker, haul.

And it's to me, Jolly Poker, we'll rock and roll 'er over,
And it's to me, Jolly Poker, haul.

####.... Stuffed Squid of La Scie, NL ....####

Variant of a traditional hauling shanty first published as Johnny Boker by Captain John Robinson on July 14, 1917, in Part 1 of Songs of the Chantey Man, a series published during the summer of 1917 in The Bellman, a periodical published in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1906 to 1919.

This variant was arranged and recorded on their second album by Stuffed Squid (No Flies On We, trk#4, 1990 CD, independent release, recorded at Sim's Studio, Belleoram, NL).

In his 1998 album, Over The Sea, Glenn Vincent Breen of St. John's, NL and Halifax, Nova Scotia, recorded his original Johnny Poker song, Haul Her Along.

The theme of Johnny Poker was used in a song about fishermen who told stories of days long ago, written and recorded as Big Bank by Oceans Away on their 2005 album Memories Of Home.

From the Winterton Boat Building Museum in Winterton, NL: Johnny Poker - shanty that helped everyone pull in unison.

From the Dictionary Of Newfoundland English:
Johnny Poker - or Johnny Boker, Johnny Coaker; person or object mentioned in a hauling song; hence, the song itself; a particular chantey; heave-up song.
Landwash - sea-shore between high and low tide marks, washed by the sea; foreshore.

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