Words: Amos Hanson; Music: Gordon Bok
A friend sent me these words a few years back. The song was made by Amos Hanson of Orland, Maine about 1850 or 1860 and became quite popular along the Ocas. It was collected in N. Blue Hill from Mrs. Emery Howard and her son Julian in 1932. Both Sandy Ives and Dick Swain know the 'real' tune and more complete verses, but I didn't think to ask them in time. This is my truncated version, then, with a tune of my own.
You darlin' girls of Bagaduce who live along the shore
Tis little do you think or know what sailors do endure
Or if you did, you'd treat them with more respect than before
You never would go with a land loper while sailors are ashore.
Oh those Penobscot cowboys will tell you girls fine tales
Of all the hardships they endure when they are in the cornfields
They'll feed their hens and punch their pigs and make their mothers roar
While we like jovial hearted lads go to the Bay Chaleur.
On board of the Schooner Fred Dunbar well found in fishing gear
We crowded on our canvas for Green's Landing we did steer.
When we arrived at anchor, the sun was setting low.
'Twas there we shipped young Stinson and Captain Mood Thurlow.
When we arrived at Port Musgrave we hauled in for our salt
We took our little fiddle ashore to have a little waltz
It was twelve of us when we started, our songs through the woods did roar
When we arrive I was surprised I could not count but four.
On the first day of September broad off Cape Mardeau
We struck a squall from the south southeast which broke her boom in two.
So gallantly she weathered it and it was fine to see
Her walk to the windward with mainsail down bound out for Margaree.
On the last day of September I will remember well
What we poor sailors do endure no tongue can ever tell
The wins grew strong, the seas grew rough in torrents fell the rain
I never saw such a night as that I hope I shan't again.
You darlin' girls of Bagaduce, the time is drawing nigh
When you will see the Stars and Stripes from our main topsail fly
Get ready, gallant lassies, put on your other gown
For soon you'll see the Fred Dunbar come sailing up to town.
And now our voyage is over and we are safe ashore
With our pockets full of greenbacks that we’ve earned in the Bay Chaleur
So merrily we'll dance and sing as we have done before
And when our money is all spent we'll plow the old bay for more.
Schooner Fred Dunbar is recorded on Schooners and is also in the songbook One to Sing, One to Haul