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The Northern Lights Of Labrador
The Squid Jiggin' Ground

The Northern Lights Of Labrador

I've traveled far beneath the northern star since the day that I was born,
From the Caribbean to New Orleans I've been inclined to roam.
And the places I've been and beauty I've seen, I thought I'd see no more,
'Til I saw the lights that shine so bright in the skies of Labrador.

Those northern lights that shine so bright when the night is cold and clear,
And the snow is bright from the pale moon light and the silence fills the air.
I cast my eyes to those sparkling skies and I can see once more
Those northern lights that shine so bright in the skies of Labrador.

This place I've heard in every word is far away and cold.
But I have found in this beautiful town a treasure as rich as gold:
Those dancing lights with their colours so bright each night as I look through my door;
Those northern lights that shine so bright in the skies of Labrador.

Sometimes when I'm down and there's no one around to tell my troubles to,
I stroll outside and I gaze at the sky and I'm no longer blue.
The night is still as I drink up my fill as I can see once more
Those northern lights that shine so bright in the skies of Labrador.

My time it will come like everyone when I must say good-bye.
I feel so sad as I look at the plane as it soars on through the sky,
And I think of the time when I can say that I'll return once more,
And see those lights that shine so bright in the skies of Labrador;
And see those lights that shine so bright in the skies of Labrador.

The Squid Jiggin' Ground
(Words and music by A.R. Scammell)

Oh, this is the place where the fishermen gather,
With oil-skins and boots and Cape Anns battened down.
All sizes of figures with squid lines and jiggers,
They congregate here on the squid-jiggin' ground.

Some are workin' their jiggers while others are yarnin'.
There's some standin' up and there's more lyin' down.
While all kinds of fun, jokes and tricks are begun,
As they wait for the squid on the squid-jiggin' ground.

There's men of all ages and boys in the bargain,
There's old Billy Cave and there's young Raymond Brown.
There's a red rantin' Tory out here in the dory,
A-runnin' down squires on the squid-jiggin' ground.

There's men from the Harbour and men from the Tickle,
In all kinds of motorboats: green, grey and brown.
Right yonder is Bobby and with him is Nobby,
He's chawin' hard tack on the squid-jiggin' ground.

God bless me sou'wester, there's Skipper John Chaffey.
He's the best hand at squid-jiggin' here, I'll be bound.
Hello, what's the row? Why, he's jiggin' one now.
It's the very first squid on the squid-jiggin' ground.

Now the man with the whiskers is old Jacob Steele.
He's gettin' well up but he's still pretty sound.
While Uncle Bob Hawkins wears six pairs of stockin's,
Whenever he's out on the squid-jiggin' ground.

Holy smoke, what a scuffle! All hands are excited.
'Tis a wonder to me that there's nobody drowned.
There's confusion, a bustle, a wonderful hustle.
They're all jiggin' squid on the squid-jiggin' ground.

Says Bobby, "The squids are on top of the water,
I just got me jigger 'bout one fathom down".
When a squid in the boat squirted right down his throat,
And he's swearin' like mad on the squid-jiggin' ground.

There's poor Uncle Billy, his whiskers are spattered,
With spots of the squid juice thats' flyin' around.
One poor little boy got it right in the eye,
But they don't give a darn on the squid-jiggin' ground.

Now if ever you feel inclined to go squiddin',
Leave your white shirts and collars behind in the town.
And if you get cranky without yer silk hanky,
You'd better steer clear of the squid-jiggin' ground.

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