1825
“Saturday, 8th July—Mr. G—— who had lately come down from Leeds, having consented to return there with me, he and I embarked on board a batteau, for St. Nicholas's Mills. While sailing up the river, we were entertained with the simple melody of the Canadian boat song : the men sang a verse, or part of a verse, and were then followed by the females, who took up their part very readily; and their fine clear voices, keeping time with the motion of the oars, had a pleasing effect...

No cheering sounds disturbed the silent air.—The boatman's ballad, wild, such as, while rowing down the tide in day's delightful dawn, assists his " labouring oar," no more was heard: the seaman's cheerful song while hoisting in the freight, which, all day long, amused the passing ear, had long since ceased ; the birds, in downy nests retired, and wrapt in sleep, relieved their warbling throats... The zephyr's gentle breath, expanding wide our sail, impelled us slowly on; but even this, as if at length fatigued with long-protracted toil, and prone to join the universal rest, died soft away.—Our oars came next in use: these, gently splashing in the quiet flood, urged on our sluggish bark; and music's powerful aid increased our speed apace—the Canadian boatman's song now sounded with effect: it first disturbed the peace that reigned around ; and, mildly falling on the stilly air, proclaimed our dark approach….

Man your topsail sheets, and overhaul your clue-lines and buntlines !" cried the mate; the seamen sprang to their places with the greatest alacrity, and the command was soon executed. The topsail haliards, or rope by which the topsail is hoisted, was next ordered to be manned, and the hoisting was accompanied by a lively song, the words of which, being the extemporary
composition of the seaman who led, afforded me a good deal of amusement.— One man sung, and the rest joined lustily in the chorus. The following is a specimen :—

Oh rouse him up,
Chorus—Oh, yeo, cheerily;
Now for Warrenpoint,
        Oh, yeo, cheerily;
Oh-mast-head him,
        Oh, yeo, cheerily;
Cheerly men,
        Oh, yeo, cheerily;
Newry girls,
        Oh, yeo, cheerily;
Rouse him up cheerly,
        Oh, yeo, cheerily;
Oh, with a will,
        Oh, yeo, cheerily;
Oh, oh, yeo,
        Oh, yeo, cheerily.

From some of these few simple words, the effusions of the heart, at the moment, no doubt, an important inference is plain.
[A Journal of a Voyage to Quebec in 1825, Finan, 1828, pp.138, 167-168, 328-329]