Lyr Req: Sealers' Ball (Newfoundland song)

Subject: RE: Newfoundland song: Sealers' Ball
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 09:44 PM

I just listened to that one. It was very enjoyable. First time I've ever heard it even though I am a Ted Russell fan.

Thank ye very much sirs!

Subject: Lyr Add: THE SEALERS' BALL
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 09:25 AM

This site (click) has the following copy of the lyrics, with a recording. Looks like they're the same as what Martin posted from the GEST site, but the notes have a bit more information.
I see the song was collected by Ken Peacock. Apparently, the song was published in Peacock's Songs of the Newfoundland Outports, a book I've been seeking for quite some time. Best price I've found was $120, eacept for one at $60 that was taken off the market as soon as I inquired about it.
-Joe Offer-

---

Band 1.

THE SEALERS' BALL

 

Tom Morry - Ottawa

April, 1962 - PEA 210 Bo. 1188

REFRAIN:

Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,

Aboard a vessel, aboard a vessel,

Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel

A-peltin' the puppy swiles, sir.

1. Sure when we took 'em to the wharf
   We got six dollars and a half,
   And when we took 'em to the store
   We got a dollar more, sir.
2. We wrote a letter the next day,
   And we posted it without delay,
   And we sent it off to Jimmy Baird
   For a couple of gallons o rum, sir.
3. Now Saturday evenin' after tea
   A couple of gallons they came to we.
   We took 'em down without bein' seen
   As far as Georgie Wall, sir.
4. Now Saturday evenin' you can see
   A couple of girls they came to we
   And an elegant time was had by all
   Till earlye in the mornin'!
5. Now a little disturbance then arose
   When everyone was picking their beaux.
   When everyone had picked his own,
   John Barke he had ne'er a one.
6. Jack Barke goes up to Jim McGee:
   "Now what's ye doin along wi' she?
   She used to go along wi' me,
   And she'll do the same this marnin'"
7. So Jack and Jim get in a clinch.
   And ne'er o' them would budge an inch,
   And when the clinch broke up they found
   The lady she'd a-gone, sir
8. Now all young men take lesson o' this,
   And never go fightin' about a miss,
   'Cause all you'll do is start a big laugh,
   And the lady she'll be gone. sir

Mr. Morry, who came from Ferryland, learned this catchy song from a man on the south coast, although it probably originated on the north-east where "swiling" is more common. "Pelting the puppy swiles" means skinning the young seals. The men involved used their proceeds to order rum from James Baird & Company of St. John's and then proceeded to have an "elegant time."

Since Mr. Morry sang it for Ken Peacock "The Sealers' Ball" has been collected twice from the Codroy Valley area of Western Newfoundland. Newfoundlanders will recognize the tune for it was played weekly on the popular CBC radio program, "The Chronicles of Uncle Mose" in the late 1950s, early 1960s and again in the early 1980s.

References - Peacock, 94. MUNFLA ms 71-68, pp. 40-41; MUNFLA Tape 80-134 C4793.

Subject: RE: words of Newfoundland song required.
From: GEST
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 05:49 PM

Go get some sleep, Martin. I'll take care of the link for ya. :-)

http://www.wtv-zone.com/phyrst/audio/nfld/09/sealersball.htm

Subject: RE: words of Newfoundland song required.
From: MartinRyan
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 10:55 AM

Jeez! Look at what I did for the link! I should go back to bed...

Regards

Subject: RE: words of Newfoundland song required.
From: MARINER
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 09:53 AM

Thanks Martin,that's the very one.Not surprised at the trembling hand. It was a long weekend.

Subject: ADD: The Sealers' Ball
From: MartinRyan
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 07:02 AM

Jack

A Google search throws up this version:

The Sealers' Ball

Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
Aboard a vessel, aboard a vessel;
Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
A-peltin' the puppy swiles, sir.

Sure when we took 'em to the wharf,
We got six dollars and a half;
And when we took 'em to the store,
We got a dollar more, sir.

Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
Aboard a vessel, aboard a vessel;
Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
A-peltin' the puppy swiles, sir.

We wrote a letter the next day,
And we posted it without delay;
And we sent it off to Jimmy Baird,
For a couple of gallons o' rum, sir.

Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
Aboard a vessel, aboard a vessel;
Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
A-peltin' the puppy swiles, sir.

Now Saturday evenin' after tea,
A couple of gallons they came to we;
We took 'em down without bein' seen,
As far as Georgie Wall, sir.

Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
Aboard a vessel, aboard a vessel;
Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
A-peltin' the puppy swiles, sir.

Now Saturday evenin' you can see,
A couple of girls they came to we;
And an elegant time was had by all,
Till earlye in the mornin'!

Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
Aboard a vessel, aboard a vessel;
Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
A-peltin' the puppy swiles, sir.

Now a little disturbance then arose,
When everyone was picking their beaux;
When everyone had picked his own,
John Barke he had ne'er a one.

Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
Aboard a vessel, aboard a vessel;
Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
A-peltin' the puppy swiles, sir.

Jack Barke goes up to Jim McGee,
"Now what's ye doin along wi' she?
She used to go along wi' me,
And she'll do the same this marnin'."

Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
Aboard a vessel, aboard a vessel;
Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
A-peltin' the puppy swiles, sir.

So Jack and Jim get in a clinch,
And ne'er o' them would budge an inch;
And when the clinch broke up they found,
The lady she'd a-gone, sir.

Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
Aboard a vessel, aboard a vessel;
Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
A-peltin' the puppy swiles, sir.

Now all young men take lesson o' this,
And never go fightin' about a miss;
'Cause all you'll do is start a big laugh,
And the lady she'll be gone. sir.

Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
Aboard a vessel, aboard a vessel;
Be ye much of a hand aboard a vessel,
A-peltin' the puppy swiles, sir.

####.... Tom Morry - Ottawa, April, 1962 ....####

Note: Tom Morry came from Ferryland and said he learned this song from a man on the south coast, although it probably originated on the north-east where "swiling" is more common. "Pelting the puppy swiles" means skinning the young seals. The men involved used their proceeds to order rum from James Baird & Company of St. John's and then proceeded to have an "elegant time."

---

Sorry about the duplication! Hands must still be shaking since the weekend....

I found that HERE

Regards

---

Duplication deleted and link fixed.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: words of Newfoundland song required.
From: MARINER
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 06:17 AM

Has anyone got the words of the song "The Sealer's Ball" as sung by A Crowd of Bold Sharemen? The chorus begins "Are ye much of a hand aboard a vessel" (Haven't found it on Digitrad)
                Thanks, in anticipation, Jack.