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07 Sep 09 - 10:15 PM (#2718530) Subject: Lyr Req: Bear Island (Wreck of the Howe) From: Darlodave Can anyone provide the lyrics of this song written by Dave Evardson. I have the CD on which it is sung but the words would be ideal. |
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08 Sep 09 - 08:18 AM (#2718794) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bear Island (Wreck of the Howe) From: Willa You could try contacting Dave. http://www.evardsongs.com/ |
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09 Sep 09 - 12:55 PM (#2719917) Subject: Lyr Add: THE WRECK OF THE HOWE (Alfred Hutchinson) From: Jim Dixon The track list for Dave & Julie Evardson's album "One More Trip" says '12. Bear Island (7:08) - Lyrics adapted from poem "Wreck of the Howe" by Skipper Albert "Hurricane Hutch" Hutchinson.' That helped me find this: [Unfortunately, this is incomplete, but it's all I could get.] From The Oxford Book of Local Verses by John Holloway (Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press, 1987) page 135: 233 A ballad by Alfred Hutchinson, "Hurricane Hutch", a Grimsby skipper, about the wreck of the Grimsby trawler Howe, on 19 November 1931. THE WRECK OF THE HOWE One night on the rocks off Bear Island A trawler named the Howe ran ashore, Right on those cursed hidden 'blinders', To remain there a wreck evermore. No tugs in the world could have saved her But one went his luck there to try And found her a wreck that was hopeless, To leave her laid there, high and dry. Her Skipper was a man named McGregor, As brave as the brave known to be, He said: 'Now she's a wreck, boys, for ever, But you'll still take your orders from me. 'Your Lives all depend on good discipline, So be cheerful and keep a big heart. For the sake of your wives and your families Each of you must play your part.' But out in that dark Arctic region Just imagine the dire plight of the crew, With their ship on the rocks of Bear Island There was nothing on earth they could do. Their 'Sparks' was a brave lad of twenty, His message for help he had sent. Thank God it was answered by plenty, And bravely to her aid they went. They found her a wreck at the mercy Of a sea that no pen can describe. They couldn't get anywhere near her Yet times out of number they tried. On the deck they could see the poor fellows standing, And who would deny they were brave, Facing their deaths, calm and steadfast, On the brink of a sailor's grave. So round to the lee of the Island Each vessel ... blinders] submerged rocks Bear Island] island c.200 miles south of Spitzbergen Sparks] radio operator |