Oh, No More

                                    ® ©1994 Kevin Barry Evans: Modtrad Music SOCAN

           

            Bernie Houlahan of Moncton, N.B> taught me this poignant song about the death of the Newfoundland fisheries.

            Over the years, ears and miles, mu version has wandered quite a bit.  After I had recorded the song my way, Kevin, whom I had met years ago in New England, sent us the original words which we print here for your confusion.

 

Gordon - viol

 

          Years ago when I was young

            I cast my nets into the sun

          And with my father's hands upon my shoulder

          Hauled them home

          The nets moved like a living thing

          All from the codfish held within

          And homeward bound we'd laugh and sing

          An honest man's work done

          We'd throw our fortunes to the wind

          But now we'll just remember when

 

          (There were) lots of fish in Bonavist Harbour

          Oh, no more

          Lots of fishing in around here

          Oh, no more

          We'd throw our fortunes to the wind

          Me boys we'll not do that again

          Oh, no more

         

          The sea had turned my father's eyes

          A blue much deeper than the skies

          That granted us our daily prize

          King Cod, in all his glory

          And like my father I grew strong

          And proud I was to carry on

          For in his footsteps I belonged

          Ah, but that's another story

          For times change faster than the wind

          And now we just remember when

 

          Jack was every inch a sailor

          Oh, no more

          Four and twenty years a whaler

          Oh, no more

          For times change faster than the wind

          Me boys we won't fish here again

          Oh, no more

 

          My father's eyes are still as blue

          But his hands are softer than I knew

          There's nothing much for him to do

          But smoke and drink and remember

          And every day I sit and face

          The spectre of my father's face

          Dying at an icebound pace

          His heart and soul, December

          He'd give his life to ride the wind

          Instead we just remember when

 

          Lukey's boat was painted green

          Oh, no more

          Finest boat you've ever seen

          Oh, no more

          I was the boy who built the boats

          Oh, no more

          I was the boy who sailed them

          Oh, no more

          I'd give my life to ride the wind

          And to be fishing once again

          Oh, no more, Oh, no more,

                    Oh, no more….

 

 

 

Oh, No More is recorded on the album Herrings in the Bay