The KYLE by The Sharecroppers of Newfoundland

The SS KYLE, that old "bulldog of the North", is an abandoned Newfoundland coastal boat that now rests on a sandbar in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, in front of the little town of River Head. Made in England, it was retired from an excellent Newfoundland coastal service in the 1960s and was going to be sold for scrap. However one day during a storm, it broke its moorings and drifted to the end of the bay in Harbour Grace where it rests to this day in 2010. At first the townpeople didn't know what to do. Some wanted it scrapped, others wanted it sunk out at sea. Later others wanted to do something with tourism. The film footage from NTV shows the KYLE before it was repainted in 1997 for the 500th anniversary Cabot/Matthew celebrations (1497-1997). Mike Madigan composed this song on board the KYLE and the last lines of his poem have come true....for at least now!
(The KYLE song is at www.thesharecroppers.net)

There is a ship in Harbour Grace, it's been there for a while,
To the people of the town they hardly give a smile;
They say it does stand out too much, you can see it from a mile,
And soon they'll drag it out to sea and sink the noble Kyle.

Now, the Kyle's a ship that's been out to sea for many a long year,
People that had sailed her decks said they never had to fear;
She supplied our rugged coast from year to faithful year,
And now she rots down in the bay in the Harbour Gracian clear.

Now she rots down in the bay in the Harbour Gracian clear,
Yes, she rots down in the bay in the Harbour Gracian clear,
In the Harbour Gracian clear.

Well, ships deserve an honoured death and burial at sea,
And yet their stories and their names live on in history;
Yet history books to children seem realistic not to be,
Than the presence of the Kyle, my friends, for their bright eyes to see.

So, though her brass and wooden seams no longer live within,
Her worn out hull and worn down name can clearly still be seen;
A fresh coat of paint and lettering will keep her for a while,
And the Harbour Gracian history book alive will keep the Kyle;
And the Harbour Gracian generation alive will keep the Kyle.

Now she rots down in the bay in the Harbour Gracian clear,
Yes, she rots down in the bay in the Harbour Gracian clear,
In the Harbour Gracian clear.

####.... Mike Madigan of The Sharecroppers (SOCAN)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• KYLE
• Newfoundland tourism
• abandoned ship
• ship wrecks
• Smokeroom
• on
• the
• Kyle

[iluvtaylorswift2012]

love this song thumbs up

[andrewajt62]

My great grandfather was captain of this ship!

[sylviajh14]

Needs to be be restored and be displayed

[sharecroppermike]

There's a great site by the daughter of one of the KYLE's captains at

tripple w dot sskyle dot c o m forwardslash places dot h t m

[gdgest]

5*^ Awesome tribute to a constant and faithful Newfoundland coastal ship. Thanks for sharing. :-)

[sharecroppermike]

Verse 4-

So, though her brass and wooden seams no longer live within,

Her worn out hull and worn down name can clearly still be seen;

A fresh coat of paint and lettering will keep her for awhile,

And the Harbour Gracian history book alive will keep the Kyle;

And the Harbour Gracian generation alive will keep the Kyle.

[sharecroppermike]

Thanks Lynda! Looks great! Sound and words are clear! ~Mike

There is a ship in Harbour Grace, it's been there for a while,

To the people of the town they hardly give a smile;/They say it does stand out too much, you can see it from a mile,

And soon they'll drag it out to sea and sink the noble Kyle.