When King James wore the English crown Two ships sailed forth from Plymouth town. The Gift of God and Mary & John To Virginia made their way. George Popham was the leader then And with him there went six-score men To build a fort on the northern strand And for the winter stay. Using tools of the proper sort They built a house and a sturdy fort Their brave adventure to support And a colony to begin. Then Raleigh Gilbert looked, it seemed, Up every river, brook, and stream The Northwest Passage was the dream Would all their fortunes win. And as they viewed the woods around The oaks and pine there did abound The like of which had not been found In England for many a year. There was among those hardy wights One shipwright, Digby he was hight. He laid a keel by the water bright To build a pinnace there. As autumn's days began to wane Their two ships sailed back home again, Leaving forty-five brave men There by the ocean side. Scarce one month or two was past Before the winter's icy blast Brought great hardship, cold, and frost. Twas then George Popham died. The colonists were in great need When young Gilbert took the lead; Strong of will and rash of deed, And whether 'twas right or wrong, With haughty mien, he sent his men To fight the local Indians For food and firewood ran out then As winter lingered long Yet doughty Digby labored on The beams were hewed and planks were sawn. The pinnace frame was raised anon, A ship of thirty tuns. The hull was fit, the seams were caulked, The mast was set, spars rigged aloft. The sails were bent when she was launched; Virginia was done! But they had barely rigged the clews When a ship came there and brought sad news John Popham had died; John Gilbert, too, But Raleigh was his heir. So Fort St. George was burnéd down For fear by France it might be found. To Compton Castle was Gilbert bound, To friends and family there. Two ships the North Atlantic crossed. The Popham colony was lost. The Plymouth Company bore the cost But all was not in vain. Virginia also made the trip, The first of many wooden ships Crafted and launched down the slips All on the coast of Maine.

Drinke and be merry, merry, merry boyes, Let all your delight be in Hymens joyes, Io to Hymen now the day is come, About the merry Maypole take a Roome. Make greene garlands, bring bottles out; And fill sweet Nectar, freely about, Uncover thy head, and feare no harm, For hers good liquor to keepe it warme. Nectar is a thing assign'd, By the Deities owne minde, To cure the hart opprest with grief, And of good liquors is the chief, Give to the Mellancolly man, A cup or two of't now and than; This physick' will soone revive his bloud, And make him be of a merrier mood. Give to the Nymphe thats free from scorne, No Irish; stuff nor Scotch over worn, Lasses in beaver coats come away, Ye shall be welcome to us night and day.

I'll tarry no longer, to Merrymount I will go I'll drink whene’re I want to and dance around the pole While women will attend me in the company of friends. Tell 'em old Tommy Morton's come to Merrymount again I first came to these shores my fortune to find In the company of Wollaston and others so inclined. But cruelly he deserted us. Bereft and all alone In a strange and savage country we made Merrymount our home Quite soon we were befriended by a host of Algonquin. They could hunt and trap and fish, but they were not businessmen Yet we treated them most squarely in all matters of our trade. Sure as night follows day, it seemed our fortunes were made. To celebrate our fortune a Maypole we did raise And with our native brothers, we danced and sang God's praise And with our native sisters, we often did lie down 'Till the laughter of our revels was heard in Plymouth town. Soon word came back from Plymouth that a company of men Was marching down to Merrymount our rowdiness to end. We passed a jug among us for to fight them was our plan But when they got up to Merrymount we were too drunk to stand. They clapped me into irons and sent me out to sea In a ship that sailed for England; heavy charges laid on me. But no jury would convict me - they freed me from my chains And I vowed that I would soon return to Merrymount again. So we land in the morning. We'll come in with the tide. For my beloved Merrymount I'd cross the whole world wide. It seems what I call pleasure other men mistake for vice And what others call New England to me is Paradise.

New England's Annoyances, if you would know them Just ponder these verses that quickly will show them. The place where we live is a wilderness wood, Where grass is much wanting that's fruitful and good. From the end of November till three months are gone, The ground is all frozen as hard as a stone, Our mountains and hills and valleys below Are commonly covered with ice and with snow. And when the north-west wind with violence blows, Then every man pulls his cap over his nose; But if any's so hardy and would it withstand, He forfeits a finger, a foot, or a hand. Our clothes we brought with us are apt to be torn, They need to be mended before they are worn. But wearing patched clothing, it troubles us nothing. Double patches are warmer than single whole clothing! When the ground opens we then take the hoe, And make the ground ready to plant and to sow; Our corn being planted and seed being sown, The worms destroy much before it is grown. While it is growing much spoil there is made, By birds and by squirrels that pluck up the blade; Even when it is grown to full corn in the ear, Much spoil there is made by the raccoon, and deer. If flesh meat be wanting to fill up our dish, We have pumpkins and turnips as much as we wish; And when we have a mind for a delicate dish, We repair to the clam banks, and there we catch fish. For pottage and porridge and pudding and pies, Our pumpkins and parsnips are common supplies; We have pumpkin at morning and pumpkin at noon; If it was not for pumpkins we should be undone. Now while some are going let others be coming, For while liquor's boiling it must have a scumming; But I will not blame them, for birds of a feather, By seeking their fellows, are flocking together. But you whom the Lord intends hither to bring, Forsake not the honey for fear of the sting; But bring both a quiet and contented mind, And all needful blessings you surley will find.

Whenever I'm weary and tired to the bone From grubbing out stumps and digging out stones There's one place I know will my spirit restore That's John Earthy's tavern on the Pemaquid shore Pemaquid Shore John Earthy's Tavern on the Pemaquid Shore There's all kinds of people that you will find there Released for the moment from worry and care From field and from forest and ocean they come for some John Barleycorn or some kill-devil rum Kill-devil rum John Barleycorn or some kill-devil rum In the short days of winter, the evenings are long For a pipe and a glass with a story or song If a trav'ler stops in for a meal and some beer He leaves as a friend - there are no strangers here No strangers here He leaves as a friend - there are no strangers here There's only one thing that we lack and we miss That's a bonnie young wench for to hug and to kiss For sooth in the settlement women are few So lacking a young wench an old one will do Old one must do Lacking a young wench an old one will do There are some in the village who think it's a sin That we have no church for to worship God in But there's one place I know will my spirit restore John Earthy's Tavern by the Pemaquid shore. Pemaquid Shore John Earthy's Tavern by the Pemaquid Shore

There were nine to watch the British rank and five to watch the town above And one to stand at either hand and one to let the Old Tenor out. He had eighty-weight of Spanish iron between his neck-bone and his knee But Billie took Johnny up under his arm and carried him out right manfully And Billie broke locks and Billie broke bolts And Billie broke all that he came nigh Until he came to the dungeon door And that he broke right manfully He stole them a horse and away they rode and who but they rode gallently Until them came to the riverbank, to the river running wild and free The British were coming close on their heels and who but they stood fearfully 'Till Billie took Johnny up on his back and carried him over it easily. "Oh Billie, bold Billie," the sheriff he cried, "You're the damnedest rascal I ever did see. Come give me back the irons you stole and I will set your prisoner free." "Oh no, oh no," bold Billie he cried, "Oh no, oh no that cannot be. The iron will do our horses to shoe, for the blacksmith rides in our company." And when they come to the other side who but they stood shiveringly Until they came unto an inn where they called for ale most cheerfully. And then they called for a room to dance and who but they danced gallantly? And the very best dancer amongst them all was old John Webb who was just set free!

In seventeen hundred and forty one we left old Ireland Bound for Philadelphia in America’s happy land But cruel winds destroyed our masts on the stormy passage o’er And it was late October before we sighted shore Our ship it being foundered on the bleak and rocky land The captain bade us man the boats to take us to the strand With comrades friends and family all scattered here and there No shelter was provided us, no sustenance nor fare He then sailed in the longboat some comfort for to find The length of time that he was gone weighed heavy on our minds As cold and deprivation began to take their toll And many of our companions went to their final home At length the captain and his crew returned with vessels two And how our hearts did lighten as these ships came into view But how our hopes were shattered when we came to know his mind Was to take our goods from off the ship and leave us all behind He finally was persuaded to render us some aid For forty-eight convenient and with money for to pay He stripped us of our clothing, all our goods, and all our gear Then sold us into service thus advancing his career A curse upon the captain, oh may he die in pain! For never did he spare a thought for those who did remain No pity for the victims of his cold and ruthless plan He left them all to perish on the shores of Grand Manan.

t was early one evening in the spring of the year That a strange looking vessel on our shores did appear With red men from the forests, and though they were few We were most apprehensive of what they might do They hailed us most proudly, and held up their hands And producing as letter, gave us to understand That marooned on an island there were women in need And that we should travel there with the greatest of speed We hastily gathered a crew, strong and brave For to make the long journey across the salt waves We fared to the east'ard for many a long mile Till the Indians did guide us to a desolate Isle And there on the rocky shore, both hungry and cold Were the women of Ireland as the letter had told And one with an infant just barely alive We were filled with amazement that they had survived For it seems they had suffered the whole winter through Abandoned by the captain of a ship and his crew In favor of the cargo and the goods they had brought He ruthlessly sailed away and left them with naught And so we did tenderly help them on board And carried them back to our home in St.George With great thanks to the Indians so gallant and strong. Here's a health to their families and may they live long. There was one of these ladies who soon caught my eye She was fair, sweet and handsome, that none can deny Our love, it did blossom as her health, it did grow And I married my dear Isabel before the next snow.

It was in 1753, in the summer o' that year Some stood silent, others cheered as we left the Greenock quay We raised a prayer to give us strength an' banish all our fear As we voyaged to a promised land across the western sea We had maistly cam' frae Stirling an' frae Glasgow toon as well Wi’ the Greenlaw folk, frae Edinbro, the truth tae ye i’ll tell There was Malcolm and Kirkpatrick there, an’ Miller and Johnstone too Weavers, coopers, and makers-o'-slates just tae name a few. The time was in oor favour then an' providence proved kind Our course was sure and steadfast as the dolphin rode the wind Those weary weeks drew to a close when we saw the land birds fly And Captain Couters smiled an' he said the wooded coast was nigh We landed at Piscataquis; 't was our first port of call Then north to the Georges River to reach our final goal And when we reached the sylvan shore a pipe tune filled our ears Aye, there was mony a fit that danced a reel an' mony an eye, wi' tears We had trials and tribulations which, in time, we did surmount We knew the worth o' friendship and the principles that count This land has been a blessing bright to me an a' my kin So I raise my glass to America, an auld Scotia far ahin!

If I was a blackbird, could whistle and sing I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in And in the top rigging I'd there build my nest And I'd flutter my wings o'er her lily white breast I am a young sailor, my story is sad I once was carefree and a brave sailor lad I courted a lassie by night and by day But now she has left me and sailed far away I promised to take her to Donnybrook Fair And to buy her fine ribbons to tie up her hair I offered to marry and to stay by her side But she said in the morning she sails with the tide If I was a scholar and could handle the pen One secret love letter to my true love I'd send And I'd tell of my sorrow, my grief and my pain Since she's gone and left me and sailed o’er to Maine Her parents they chide me and do not agree Saying me and my true love married never should be But let them deprive me, let them do as they will While there's breath on my body she's my true love still

My name is Edward Houlahan I was born in Erin's sunny isle My father bound me to a trade And they called me a flashing blade At sweet sixteen I took a wife I loved her as I loved my life To maintain her both wide and free I took to robbing on the king's highway I robbed Lord Darling I do declare I robbed Lady Welsh of her golden ware I robbed them both of their gold so bright And carried it off to my heart's delight I never robbed a poor man yet Or caused a tradesman for to quit But from the rich gave to the poor That's what brought me to this unhappy hour For now, I am condemned to die And many a fair maid for me will cry But all their tears cannot pity me For yonder stands the gallows tree Let six bold robbers bury me Give them broad swords and free liberty Let six fair maidens bear my pall Give them white robes and pink ribbons all And when they speak let them speak the truth "Here lies a bold and undaunted youth!"

So cheer up, my lively lads and never be it said That the brave boys of Bristol were ever yet afraid On the 26th of April, it plainly doth appear The brave boys of Bristol fitted out a privateer In command of Captain Tucker- a sloop both neat and trim And we set out to cruise the seas all for to take the "Bream" We cruised the shores for several days and nothing did appear At length our brave commander resolved to homeward steer It was on a Friday morning, and clear was the sky And as we were returning, a sail we did spy Then rose our bold commander and to his men did say "My boys, be all stout-hearted and do not fail today! Our enemy's before us and after her we'll run For I'm resolved to take her before the setting sun Then we bore away for her and up to her did come We hauled down our foresail and gave her a gun 'Twas broadside and broadside we showed her Yankee play 'Til our enemy got frightened and tried to run away We went to bind her to our side but much to our chagrin We found we had no grappling hooks to seize and pull her in. Till Collamore leapt up and swung the anchore o're his head. "Captain, shall I let her fly?" the Bremen monster said. Then they quit their quarters and down below they run We shot away their halliards and down their colors come Their captain he stepped forward and waving of his hand He cried "I must surrender; this I can no longer stand!" Then we hoisted out our boats and on board of her did go We made them all prisoners and ordered them below We hoisted Yankee colors and hauled the British down And when we did examine her, she proved to be the "Crown" "Now" says our brave commander "we'll bring our prize ashore For we're the boys that fear no noise, though cannons loudly roar! And quickly we will clear the coast of all these British boys For we will fight 'em till we die, and never mind their noise!" Now we have fought this privateer till she is overcome And God bless Captain Tucker this day for what he's done Likewise his officers and all his jolly crew God grant that they may prosper in everything they do

One day as the sun was setting low There's dew on the bud so early One day as the sun was setting low And the flower's fair at noon One day as the sun was setting low A traveler came down the road His pack and gun were his only load And the bloom aye fades away (every verse has the refrain lines) He stopped that night to take his rest At the Nobscot Inn where the ale is best Never dreaming love would pierce his breast For as he took his meal alone 'Twas there he met the Widow Stone Oh, Cupid's darts were quickly thrown Her face was fair, her eyes were clear As they conversed with much good cheer It seemed he'd known her many a year He took the widow by the hand And said, "i'll have you understand I go to join the Patriot Band "But when I've done what I must do My fondest wish I'll tell you true Is to return and marry you." The Widow Stone then turned her head Her cheeks, they blushed a rosy red "May God go with you, sir," she said At break of day the man was gone To bloody battles fierce and long Yet he often dreamt of Widow Stone At last, the Patriots won the war And a bearded veteran, gaunt and sore Came trudging down the road once more He went to the Nobscot Inn straightway Where he left Widow Stone that long-gone day What he found there filled him with dismay For Nixon he had come to town That Captain bold of high renown The Widow Stone in wedlock bound That night he knocked upon their door 'Twas just to to see his love once more "Oh, can you shelter a vet'ran poor?" She rose at once to let him in He joined their table like a friend But she never knew that it was him Then in the dark hours of the night With the moon and stars his only light He crept downstairs with his long, sharp knife The man was gone by early morn He left no trace from the night before Save two hearts carved in the parlor door For the bloom aye fades away

Come, sogers! take your muskets up and grasp your faithful rifles; We're gwoin to lick the red coat men, who call us Yankees 'trifles.' Bring out the big gun made of brass which causes July thunder. Bring out the flag of Bennington and strike the foe with wonder. We'll lick the red coats anyhow and drive them from the border. The loggers are awake and all await the gin'ral's order. Britannia shall not rule the Maine, nor shall she rule the water. They've sung that song full long enough, much longer than they oughter. The Aroostook is a right slick stream; has nation sight of woodlands And hang the feller that would lose his footing on such good land! And all along the boundary line there's pasturing for cattle, But where that line of boundary is we must decide by battle. We do not care about the land but they shant hook it from us. "Our country, right or wrong!" we cry; No budging or compromise. So beat the sheepskin, blow the fife and march in training order. Our way is through the wilderness and all along the border

It was August, eighty-eight, when a steamer hauling freight Ran aground near Little River in the fog. Bound for Boston at the time loaded with Italian wine, So it says according to the log Eduardo was a mess so she signaled her distress So some Cutler boys rowed to her o'er the tide When they found out what she carried they never even tarried until several casks of wine went o'er the side A six-month toot and no one gave a hoot If they were drinking Asti or chianti or valsusa Everyone felt fine until they ran out of wine When Cutler had a six-month toot. The captain of Eduardo , well, he tried to keep his cargo But the Cutlerites were brazen and were bold. And before the sheriff came to end their little game They had taken every bottle in the hold. When the owner's agent came only heavy casks remained Which were salvaged with hard labor o'er the rocks. They put them in a store with a guard before the door That was situated right on Corbett's dock. Now the boys thought it a waste that they couldn't have a taste From those barrels that were locked up in the store. So with augers and with drills and some vessels they could fill They rowed beneath and bored up through the floor Now they borrowed every can, baby bottle, tub, and pan It's a wonder that the dory's weren't all sunk. The water jugs went missing - there was not a pot to piss in When the Cutlerites went on their six-month drunk. Though it wasn't strong as whisky, still everyone was frisky When they started drinking wine that August day They danced in church on Sunday, had hair of the dog on Monday And didn't sober up until next May. Now a few folk still went fishing; there were others maybe wishing That all that wine would somehow turn to water. Farnum, who was reverend, was mortally offended At the antics of the Cutler sons and daughters. When he finally had enough he quit Cutler in a huff Wrote a letter which expressed his pain and sorrow That in spite of prohibition, Cutler lost all inhibitions And had become a new Downeast Gomorrah. It's a century and more since they bored up through the floor But still in town you'll see a souvenier. Where Delia Mae still keeps, as a conversation piece, Some perforated planking from the pier

It was down in Cupid's garden where my love and I, we chanced to meet I put my arms around her and gave to her some kisses sweet For it's not the time to go, boys, for to go, boys, for to go away, For it's not the time to go, boys, we will drink away till it is clear day I bought a bottle of good brandy to drink in my love's company But she was so proud and haughty that de'ils the drop would she drink with me Come, landlady, my darling, come fill us up a glass with speed We will drink it as a cordial, a cordial in the time of need For now is the time to go, boys, for to go, boys, for to go away For now is the time to go, boys. We will drink no more, for it is clear day