Lyrics and interwoven glossary, from Archie himself.
Thank you, Archie!
Maeve

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Coll MacKenzie

My name is Coll MacKenzie and I'll have you understand
That I am an Assynt crofter bound out for Newfoundland
I lost my darling Catherine, she died in giving birth
And to raise three sons without her was the hardest thing on earth
They've grown and gone to Glasgow to face the factory's row
And their work is hard and crueller than a deer yoked to the plough
I'd laboured seven years just to pay my tax and fues (rent for land paid in money or grain instead of military service)
When a letter came from Canada that brought the saddest news
My brother drowned off St. John's in the spring of '53
And his widow wrote to say that she'd be well disposed to me
She sent along a likeness from a Callotype salon
(Early photographic system)
In her fancy frock and parasol with her Sunday bonnet on

There's nothing here to keep me the bracken's soured the land
And the fishing's lean and lonesome when you're sailing single hand
So I set off for Liverpool to work my passage o'er
On a leaky, tarry clipper called the Queen of Baltimore
I had no boots or oilskins to keep me dry and warm
Just my bauchly, (1) brogues, and plaidie (2)to keep me from the storm (1 shabby 2 tartan blanket)

I arrived in Boston a weak and a weary man
And I jumped a Grand Bank Schooner bound north for Newfoundland
They listened to my story as we sat around the stove
And they wondered at the journey I'd made for sake of love
They fed me beef and salt cod, sourdough and cans of tea
And I was hale and hearty when we reached the St. John's quay

They lead me to a cabin that stood about the bay
And they laughed and joked together as they went on their way
My knock was answered swiftly by a woman of fine grace
When I asked foe widow Janet a grin broke o'er her face
"If you be Coll MacKenzie", the handsome woman smiled
"Then it is my younger sister that has you so beguiled".
She showed me to the parlour where there to my surprise
Sat my elder brother Angus full fit before my eyes
The lassie in the likeness was standing by the door
And we all embraced each other, the happiest of four
And they pointed to a clinker straight a-sailing on the bay
Crewed by three sons of Assynt I thought were far away

My name is Coll MacKenzie and I'll have you understand
That I am a St. John's fisherman come o'er from fair Scotland

Archie Fisher 2006
Inspired by a combination of folk tale and history.
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