McCORMICK & KELLY

Come all jolly lumbermen and bosses as well
I pray give attention to what I now tell
Of 2 bully bosses of wealth and great fame
Who lumbered near Ellsworth in the state of Maine

One was bold Kelly, you all know him well
A man of good judgement on the Potash did dwell
He was neat, tall and handsome, stout-hearted and bold
He exceeded Napoleon, that hero of old.

The next was McCormick, a man shrewd and wise
He said he take part in this great enterprise
To compete with bold Kelly I'll tell you no lie
He said by his maker, he would conquer or die

Said McCormick to Kelly I know where there's spuce
"Alright, then," said Kelly, "we'll go and we'll cruise
We'll go and we'll cruise, John, without more delay
Our main road we'll spot out on this very day."

Then at it they went with their whole might and main
You'd have that that they'd tore down the whole state of Maine
The chips from their axes they darkened the sun
And the beasts from the forests in terror did run.

They tore down the forests for miles all around
The ground it did tremble for the trees coming down
The destruction the truth it was awful to see
It equaled the fire of Miramichi

To haul to the landing they then did begin
They discharged all their crew but 8 or 10 men
Now I hope that their pockets with money will flow
When their lumber is rafted and run down below.

Now come all you pretty fairs maids with cheeks like a rose
If you want a nice beau you can have one of those
He will kiss you and court you and plead for awhile
You're welcome to one if you fancy his style


This is a comic Irish-American song from the Maine lumber camps. It was sung for the Flanders Ballad Collection by Charles Fennimore of Bridgewater, ME on August 30, 1942. The original or source recording is in the FBC and can be heard at Middlebury College or the Library of Congress. It also appears, sung by Dan Milner with Bob Conroy (guitar) and Brian Conway (fiddle), on Irish Songs from Old New England: Traditional Irish-American Songs from the Flanders Ballad Collection (Folk-Legacy CD-132). Mr. Fennimore used the tune commonly known as "Erin Go Bragh" and Dan Milner sung it to the tune usually called "Sweet Betsy from Pike" or "The Ould Orange Flute."