Cliffs Of Baccalieu - sung by Stan Rogers

The Cliffs of Baccalieu
from "For the Family"
Fogarty's Cove Music (posthumously in 1983)

Written by Jack Withers (1899-1964)
Sung by Stan Rogers (November 29, 1949-June 2, 1983)

We were bound home in October from the shores of Labrador
Trying to head a bad Nor'easter and snow, too
But the wind swept down upon us making day as black as night
Just before we made the land of Baccalieu.

Oh we tried to clear the Island as we brought her farther South
And the wind from out the Nor' east stronger blew
Till our lookout soon he shouted and there lay dead ahead
Through the snow squalls loomed the cliffs of Baccalieu.

It was hard down by the tiller as we struggled with the sheets
Tried our best to haul them in a foot or two
Till our decks so sharply tilted that we could barely keep our feet
As we hauled her from the rocks of Baccalieu.

Oh the combers beat her under and we thought she ne'er would rise
And her main boom was bending neigh in two
With our lee rails three feet under and two hands at the wheel
Sure, we hauled her from the rocks of Baccalieu.

Oh to leeward was the island and to win'ard was the gale
And the blinding sleet would cut you through and through
But our hearts were beating gladly for no longer could we gaze
Down to leeward at the cliffs of Baccalieu.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Stan Rogers
• folk music

[davidatap]

stan was only 33 when he died he made some legendary music imagine this man was still onda go

[punchion]

Another one of our Newfoundland songs. So blest to live in eastern Canada. Stan's music is so much appreciated here.

[Ambidexter143]

There are few things more terrifying than being in a sail boat being pushed against a lee shore.

[McGrenzer]

@DAVEY500MUSIC Nothing about it in his Wiki bio. Hope I'm not spreading a rumor.

[McGrenzer]

@McGrenzer In this video, CPS mentions a 2004 car accident in which Garnet was injured, preventing him from playing the violin. Don't know any details.

[DAVEY500MUSIC]

@McGrenzer what accident McGrenzar

[McGrenzer]

Sad news about Garnet's accident, CPS, but we're thankful he survived and continues to perform. Thank you for this beautiful song.