Lyr Add: Fishing Where I'm Not Supposed to Be

Subject: Lyr Add: Fishing Where I'm Not Supposed to Be
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 10:29 AM

Now there's hardly any commercial fishermen left but when Nova Scotia's Vince Morash composed this song, 1995, his cousin Steve was still struggling to make a go of it, and risking his boat to fish in off-limit waters. It's hardly a politically correct song but it certainly reflects the point of view of the commercial fisherman with few options left:

Words & Music by Vince Morash, © 1995 SOCAN
As recorded on VINCE MORASH: Tide to Tradition, © 1997

Fishin' Where I'm Not Supposed To Be

The Betty Island Light is fading, now, I'm headin' out to sea,
And it'll take twenty hours of steamin' to put us where I hope the fish might be;
If I'm gonna to keep on fishin', it won't be for sub-si-dies;
I'm fishin' where I'm not supposed to be.

Chorus:

So I'm fishin' where I'm not supposed to be;
Got lots of that foreign fleet, they keep me com-pa-ny,
And I'm fishin' where I'm not supposed to be.

Financing wasn't easy, I mortgaged high and fought for every grant;
An' the building went so slowly now no matter how I tried to rave and rant;
She no sooner hit the water now they say "The quota's full";
I know damn well that's a lot of bull! (CHO)

We're short on length but broad at beam, I've got all the latest gadgetry;
Got my certified life raft, VHF radio and Loran C;
But if they catch me with my nets out here, it'll be the end of me,
'Cause I'm fishin' where I'm not supposed to be. (CHO)

I've been bankrupt, I've been mergered, overfinanced, double crossed and run aground;
I've been trampled by a freighter, set adrift and had my compass turned around;
But I will not lose my boat this time because of bureaucracy,
So I'm fishin' where I'm not supposed to be.(CHO2X)

I believe this song makes a good contrast with some of the more contemporary fishing laments such as "No Fish, No Fishermen." It's a hopeless battle, Cod knows, but one has to admire those who fight for the final trawl. But then, there's always the solace of the Druid's Arms.

If anyone wants a set of chords I'd be happy to suggest some.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Fishing Where I'm Not Supposed to Be
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 09:24 AM

refresh #1