Lyr Add: Holmes Camp Song

Subject: Lyr Add: HOLMES CAMP SONG
From: Cathryn Wellner
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 02:36 PM

"Holmes Camp Song" was collected from a camp cook, Earl Clarke, by Richard Wright in 1963. The tune is similar to "Sweet Betsy from Pike".

Here are the lyrics:

It was early last April when the logging was done,
I went to Fort Francis to join in the fun,
My intentions were good, one drink and no more,
But I ended up with a dozen or more.

Fort Francis Hotel I did make it my home,
After dropping my packsack I decided to roam,
To meet with the jacks and gather all news,
And also to buy me a bottle of booze.

Now I met with McPherson, MacLeod and McMann,
Skirtin', Sam Brennen, Ken Ferguson,
Charlie Delaney, Spud Utters, Pat Ryan,
Olie Oleson, and the boys were all feeling fine.

Now whiskey and beer were the drinks of the day,
We'd logged off our limit in the most unique way,
And the drive to the border we also took down,
You'd think we were anywhere else but in town.

After drinking a while I was getting quite tight.
I decided to go and lie down for the night.
When I meets a young maiden so fair and so fine,
I said to myself here's where I make some time.

I asked this young maid if to my room she would go.
Her answer was, "Yes, but I've a friend you don't know.
Then along comes McPherson so jolly and gay,
To take my girlfriend out of the way.

Now that we're back at [in] the bush camps again,
I fear that something's gone wrong with my brain,
For my head it is spinning, my head it is sore.
I swear I'll never get drunk any more.

But the life of the logger is oft times quite dull,
He must have his drink and he must have his fun (girl)
But there's no use complaining; there's no one to blame,
When we make our next stake we'll blow it again.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: For those interested in logging song
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 03:38 PM

Very nice of you. Thanks so much.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: For those interested in logging song
From: MMario
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 04:45 PM

and an interseting sit eyou've linked to; thank you!