The Anna Grace by Willie-O

Willie-O's Comments:  I had Stan Rogers in mind when I wrote this in the mid 80's–its based on a photo I took of two fishing boats that were tied up together, one old and decrepit but with buckets of soul, the other one large, shiny and white. The story is pure fiction. I changed the name of the newer boat, since I sank it in the song– purely for dramatic effect, which I've always felt guilty about. Probably should have used another name for the "Anna Grace" too, but I like it too much. My daughter just told me this was her favorite lullaby when she was little. I think its my best work. It's not really about fishing, or boats, at all. It's about the inevitability of aging and the whims of fate.  Bill Cameron (2000)


The Anna Grace was a sorry sight
Lying down in Portsmouth Harbour.
With her paint coming off and a list to port
Cause the garboard strake made water.

She was tied up next to the Alison May,
A big new glass-hulled dragger.
White topsides and a flying bridge
The company's proud to flag her.

Chorus:
But I'll take the Anna Grace,
Burn the old paint off and refasten her planks
Put a diesel in, and fit her out right
And take her out fishing again.

Cause I was ten years old in McKenna's yard
When I watched them shape her timbers
And I'd rather have her than some plastic tub
For I know the stuff that's in her.

So I bought her last fall for a thousand cash,
Towed her to the yard and hauled her
I spent every cent I could get from the bank
But come spring she went back in the water. 

Chorus:
I took the Anna Grace
Burned the old paint off and refastened her planks,
Put a diesel in and fit her out right
And took her out fishing again.

We worked that year with the Alison May
To stay ahead of the fleet from Gloucester
We were forty miles out on George's Banks
When a full nor'easter caught her.

(Bridge) C-D-B-D-D (repeat)

The Anna made port by the grace of God
Though her pumps could barely float her,
But the Alison May lies far below
Like many an ocean daughter

The Anna doesn't work on the banks these days
She stays close by the harbour
For she's seen her fate on the breaking waves
And she's no more for deep water.

Final Chorus:
I took the Anna Grace
Burned the old paint off and refastened her planks,
Put a diesel in and fit her out right
But she'll never go fishing again.

© Bill Cameron 1989