Hank Snow - Squid Jiggin Grounds

http://www.peoplestandup.ca/videos.htm
The Squid Jiggin' Ground is a traditional song that describes a way of life of the local fisherman. The song is unique in that it describes the method of jigging for squid and the type of equipment and circumstance that revolve around the activity.

Hank Snow was born May 9, 1914 in Brooklyn, Queens County, Nova Scotia.

Please visit our website for more songs, www.peoplestandup.ca

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 chewin' hard tack on the squid-jiggin' ground.

God bless my 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
The very first squid on the squid-jiggin' ground.

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 a bustle, confusion, 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 Bille, his whiskers are spattered
With spots of the squid juice thats' flyin' around;
One poor little b'y got it right in the eye
But they don't give a damn 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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[Roi72642]

Thank you for posting such an excellent video there are not many people that appericiate this style of music any more and this music is getting harder and harder to find so thank you again for posting this!

[snowcatns]

I am glad you enjoyed it. Hank was born in our hometown of Liverpool, NS and the people here have always enjoyed his music.

[jojujase]

I lived in Goose Bay, Canada as a kid and heard this song among many other folk tunes. I can't beleive it was posted- thanks. Hank is cool to remember his roots. Hard working simple people- we need more of them is these times.

[snowcatns]

We thought people might enjoy it. Thanks for the comment

[FroggiEmu]

Thx Snowcatns for posting this great, ole tune. My Mom was from Fogo Island and played that same exact song on her 'squeezebox', which I now own and taught meself the same song. LOL Ya gots to love the newfie folk. I am half newfie and dang proud (:

[HiFiVi]

My dad was born in Newfoundland but emigrated to Scotland after 2nd world war to marry my mum. He often sang this song. Its good hearing it again.

[dreadnought45]

Recorded in 1957.

Ken, Toronto, Ont.

[freethoughtmusic]

Good old Hank. We need more like him. I knew an old lady who was quite bitter about him because many years ago she saw him backstage at a fair on the South Shore of Nova Scotia swearing with the band "he used the F word" she said. I really liked her but kind of felt she was overreacting. She had never played in a band I guess ;-)

[yamahamaniac01]

da hell wud possibly dislike dis???? disgraces to mankind

[yamahamaniac01]

@violetmon1 fuck u ya townie mainlander POS

[eyeboule]

best version i know of..ty for posting :-)

[punchion]

@g2g1244 Squid is a sea creature you twit!!!



[violetmon1]

what a stupid song!!!!!!!!

[dave777blaster]

Boy that's an oldie great song though Hank is a huge foot print on the music industry

from Johnny Cash to Bob Dylan his influence can be heard

[nessasmomma1]

Thanks for posting this. In the lower 48 we think he's a country singer but I love his newfie songs.