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Stirring Up Ghosts Vol 1&2

by Tiller's Folly

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1.
The Spirit of Sail 03:51
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2.
Spanish Banks 04:54
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SPANISH BANKS I walked the road to Spanish Banks Where the cliffs rise o'er the sandy shoals below And wondered, how it appeared to them Two hundred years ago In wooden ships the iron men Braved the oceans from half the world away Venturing on to each new horizon And charting as they sailed What if they had seen the years unfolding Would they have believed a world so changed? Could they have foreseen in all their wildest fantasies The place that bares their names? George Vancouver crossed the bay There met the Spaniards; Galiano & Valdes Names that leap from my atlas pages Were present on that day In tandem up the coast they faired Through Salish, the Nootka Kwakwak’l & Haida Guaii The ancient people saw them pass and they knew Their world would never be the same What if they had seen the years unfolding Would they have believed a world so changed? Could they have foreseen in all their wildest fantasies? The place that bares their names? I walked the sand at Spanish Banks And where the cliffs rise o'er the sandy shoals below I wondered how it felt to be alive Two hundred years ago
3.
Voyageur 04:22
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VOYAGEUR They came by here, those voyageurs over water sweet as wine Those bold adventurers of a long forgotten time Long before the riverboats, before the pioneers Their chansons echoed through the wilderness frontier On the 1st of May the spring brigades would depart from old Lachine With sweat and blood they’d muscled through the hellish terrain Over rocks or through white water or the miles of cursed mire To winter in the Chipywan, cold and huddled by a fire Those nights went on forever with the cruel wind howling at the door When each man prayed to hear the bells of sweet Saint Anne’s once more To die in the Harlot’s Tavern! in tassels, sash and plume Fol da, diddle di, re fol dadin-o Rise up you bold Nor’wester, an hour before the dawn The sun will set again before your toil is done If you were here brave Voyageur, what stories you could tell Of Fraser & MacKenzie & Thompson as well Did you pulled upstream ‘till your back was bent? The weight on the tumpline, did it twist your neck? If you don’t lie in an unmarked grave along the killing portages You died in the Harlot’s Tavern, a worn-out twisted wretch Fol da, diddle di, re fol dadin-o Rise up now bold Nor’wester, this hour before the dawn Your song shall rise again before this day is done
4.
Ghost of Simon Fraser 04:07
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THE GHOST OF SIMON FRASER He started out, into the wild Nechako River One morning, early, all in the month of May With Jules Quesnel and dauntless John Stuart Nineteen Nor’westers, and two guides to lead the way The work was hard, and the river, unforgiving A desperate undertaking, to test the will of men At times they passed, where no human being should venture O’er precipice and mountain, through a harsh, forbidding land Oh, Mighty Fraser! Oh, you rolling river What bold adventurers have traced your rocky shores And oh, you rambling river, how your restless waters Echo with the voices of all those who’ve been before Their journey lay, through the proud and mighty nations The cradle of the ancients, both bountiful and grand They’d never seen, an equal to this country Where people, kind and gentle, extend an open hand Oh, Mighty Fraser! Oh, you rolling river Pride of all who’ve made their lives, upon your shore Oh, you rambling river, how your restless waters Echo with the voices of all who’ve been before They swore an oath, each, to him and to their maker Sooner perish than forsake, they stood as brothers, side by side They followed him, straight through the gates of Hades And cast their souls upon the mercy of the tide I stare alone, across a span of centuries The Ghost of Simon Fraser, still haunts me in his way In thirty-six days, he changed the face of history Unravelling the mystery of who we are today Oh, Mighty Fraser! Oh, you rolling river The pride of all who’ve made their lives, upon your shores Oh, you rambling river, how your restless waters Echo with the voices of all who’ve been before Still echo with the voices of all those who’ve been befor He started out, into the wild Nechako River
5.
John Tod 03:54
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JOHN TOD Late last evening I had a dream I met John Tod on the Oak Bay Road The weathered old ghost of a Hudson’s Bay Trader With lop-sided grin and old tattered cloths He’d left his home on the Vale of Leven Left Stornawa’ on the Edward & Ann He crossed the great ocean in 1811 Through Hudson’s Bay and to Rupert’s Land It’s hard imagine the span of a lifetime As ­­­riddled with peril or moulded by change Yet he would recall in fondest reflection The youthful adventures of his former days Where are ye now, my Hudson’s Bay brothers? And where are ye now, my comrades of old? W’ James Murray Yale or Edward Ermatinger We lived with the Cayuse & Carriers bold He told how they fought the valiant Nor’Westers Along the Saskatchewan, long, long ago And came to this place called “New Caledonia” A land of promise and riches untold And as the dream ends, I turned to look back I see the procession advance down the road Twenty-eight carriages draped in black crepe As the world bids adieu to old John Tod It’s hard imagine the span of a lifetime As ­­­riddled with peril or moulded by change Yet he would recall in fondest reflection The youthful adventures of his former days
6.
Ballad of John Rae 03:17
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THE BALLAD OF JOHN RAE You may well have heard of Franklin’s fate, of Parry, Ross and McClure Explorers brave who roamed the North, each gallant men of worth Though, of all the bold adventurers to comb the Arctic range The greatest of all was an Orkneyman from the Hall of Clestrain Drawn to the North, was bold John Rae, shining star of the Hudson’s Bay The whaling men were first to mark these Northwest Passage straights A trade route to the Orient that merchants sought for freight Many’s the banker tried his luck, Many’s the ship would go And many’s the lad was led to die on the blinding ice and snow Drawn to the North, was bold John Rae, shining star of the Hudson’s Bay If was ever a man who could find his way The name of that man is John Rae He’d scarcely nigh a dozen men, he put them to the test And learning from the Esquimeaux he sought the noble quest 12 thousand miles he roamed the North, by oar and sail and march He made it look a morning stroll from the Ayre to Highland Park Drawn to the North, was bold John Rae, shining star of the Hudson’s Bay If was ever a man who could find his way The name of that man is John Rae Grave news had reached the Hudson’s Bay that Franklin’s men were lost John Rae was sent to seek them out no matter what the cost In learning from the Inuit, a true and honest source How Franklin’s crew was driven to their desperate last recourse Drawn to the North, was bold John Rae, shining star of the Hudson’s Bay If was ever a man who could find his way The name of that man is John Rae Seething with ambition strove the ruthless Lady Jane With wickedness & cunning, John Rae she would defame She robbed him of the knighthood, so rightfully his due For he’d found the Northwest Passage and the fate of Franklin’s crew Now at St. Magnus’ holy ground, my thoughts to you do stray The greatest man of all the North, the pride of Hudson’s Bay Who solved the Arctic riddle, Let Scotsmen praise his name! That truth and time cannot deny so great a man of fame Raise your glass to bold John Rae, darling pride of the Hudson’s Bay If was ever a man who could find his way The name of that man is John Rae The name of that man is John Rae He made it look a morning stroll from the Ayre to Highland Park Drawn to the North, was bold John Rae, shining star of the Hudson’s Bay If was ever a man who could find his way The name of that man is John Rae Grave news had reached the Hudson’s Bay that Franklin’s men were lost John Rae was sent to seek them out no matter what the cost In learning from the Inuit, a true and honest source How Franklin’s crew was driven to their desperate last recourse Drawn to the North, was bold John Rae, shining star of the Hudson’s Bay If was ever a man who could find his way The name of that man is John Rae Seething with ambition strove the ruthless Lady Jane With wickedness & cunning, John Rae she would defame She robbed him of the knighthood, so rightfully his due For he’d found the Northwest Passage and the fate of Franklin’s crew Now at St. Magnus’ holy ground, my thoughts to you do stray The greatest man of all the North, the pride of Hudson’s Bay Who solved the Arctic riddle, Let Scotsmen praise his name! That truth and time cannot deny so great a man of fame Raise your glass to bold John Rae, darling pride of the Hudson’s Bay If was ever a man who could find his way The name of that man is John Rae The name of that man is John Rae
7.
Steamboatin' Jamiesons 02:16
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STEAMBOATIN' JAMIESONS There were five Brothers Jamiesons, the pride of the great Northwest When it came to steamboat pilots, the Jamiesons were best There's stories told of Captains bold who plied the Northwest chuck The Steamboatin' Jamiesons had the hardest luck! It's said the trouble all began in 1854 The first of the fated Jamiesons was standing on the wharf Canemah town heard a frightening sound with a great horrific roar The "Gazelle" was flung to "Kingdom Come" and that left only four Four Steamboat Jamiesons, pride of the great Northwest When it came to steamboat pilots, the Jamiesons were best! ‘Twas on the steamer "Portland", Willamette River run That poor Mother Jamieson, she lost another son The Portland stalls above the falls and amidst the ship's debris Was the lifeless frame of Robert J. and now there's only three Three Steamboat Jamiesons, pride of the great Northwest When it came to steamboat piloting, the Jamiesons were best! "The Best Swiftwater Pilot" Smith Jamieson was hailed As he skippered on the Fraser, New Westminster up to Yale He'd come as far as Union Bar when the boiler up and blew There Smith, he met his maker, with Jamiesons at two And then in 1861, late one August night The folks around Victoria beheld a horrid sight As the "Cariboo" was splintered through and scattered o'er the foam The a mighty hand reached down to call the last two brothers home The Steamboatin' Jamiesons, the pride of the great Northwest When it came to steamboat pilots, the Jamiesons were best There's stories told of Captains bold who plied the Northwest chuck The Steamboatin' Jamiesons had the hardest luck! Yes, the Steamboatin' Jamiesons had the hardest luck!
8.
Richard Moody 05:08
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RICHARD MOODY In the year of our lord, eighteen-and-fifty-eight Lord Bulwer-Lytton's Royal Engineers arrived at Esquimalt Quay With officers handy these men of esteem Had come here to harness the virgin frontier, for Colony & Queen With tales by the score of your heroes in war Or how daring adventurers have christened new shores Give me Victoria's stouthearted lads for they've served us well and truly Who surveyed the borderline from the Pacific on through? Spanned raging rivers and quarreled through stone Building roads to the Cariboo? Who laid out each highway, townsite and city street? Upheld the Queen's law if necessity called as keepers of the peace Architects, tradesmen these engineers all Gentlemen scholars to answer the call With shovel and pack, by compass and map They tamed the wilds unruly Here is a health to the Royal Engineers and a cheer to Richard Moody On July the eighteenth, eighteen and sixty-three That was the day that old England recalled her Royal Engineers But besides the few officers, most would leave their careers To try out their hand with a parcel of land, our colonial pioneers With tales by the score of your heroes in war Or how daring adventurers have christened new shores Give me Victoria's stouthearted lads for they've served us well and truly Here is a health to the Royal Engineers and a cheer to Richard Moody
9.
Ned McGowan's War 03:33
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NED MCGOWAN'S WAR Ned McGowan was a crooked judge from San Francisco way As vigilantes purged the town, McGowan slipped away To the goldfields of the Fraser where he quickly drew acclaim With the wave of Forty-niners from Californ-i-ay In the year of '58 As winter came, the gravel froze, so they couldn't pan for gold Bravado mixed with whiskey, as they tried to beat the cold Up pipes Ned McGowan "boys, are ya feeling very bold? What say we all kick up a fuss and start ourselves a war? If you lived to be a hundred And you roamed the wide world over You'd never live to see the likes of Ned McGowan's war In the town of Yale that Christmas day Two of McGowan's men Pistol-whipped the barber and they snuck right back again To Hill's Bar and Ned McGowan, and he tells them never fear, For there Justice of the Peace has no jurisdiction here And we'll turn him on his ear!" When word came back to Hill's Bar That their constable was gaoled They deputized McGowan's men to bring him back from Yale They stormed into the courtroom, took the Justice custody Then they fined him fifty dollars and they went out on a spree If you lived to be a hundred And you roamed the wide world over You'd never live to see the likes of Ned McGowan's War The Justice wrote to Douglas, and appealed for relief This shifty Ned McGowan, he's the cause of all our grief He's a threat of annexation and if he is left alone Of Californians he could raise an army of his own With near two dozen Sappers came the Governor's reply Fifty sailors & marines with a field piece close behind And so a strange flotilla made way from Derby side With a steamboat and a whaleboat, and a war canoe besides If you lived to be a hundred And you roamed the wide world over You'd never live to see the likes of Ned McGowan's War When Ned McGowan came to town To the court he was arraigned But they quickly dropped the charges as he craftily explained The boys were sworn & deputize When the Justice they'd detained So court adjourned, and they all shook hands And toasted with champagne If you lived to be a hundred And you roamed the wide world over You'd never live to see the likes of Ned McGowan's war You could sail the salt sea over To the west, south, east and north You'd never live to see the likes of Ned McGowan's war
10.
The Serpentine 03:43
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11.
Ghost of Kitty o'Reilly 03:39
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THE GHOST OF KITTY O'REILLY Kitty blushed in the full bloom of spring Carefree and wild as a bird on the wing Unencumbered by love’s tender strings She lived by the Point Ellice shore From far and wide, like moths to a flame Calling and courting the gentlemen came Still she bided her time, content to remain In the house by the Point Ellice shore There was not a one so fare Timeless beauty and devil may care At the height of Victorian flare With paints, easel and garden Oh, the scores of hearts she snared Few resisted and few were spared Though they pined oh, the less she could care No one could kindle her ardour Kitty died, a solit’ry rose She never had wed; she’d seldom left home Having never found love, was her heart turned to stone? All alone by the Point Ellice shore Many years have come and have gone A story’s told so the legend lives on That a maid with a blue dress on Still haunts the house by the harbour And there, I fear the ghost of fare Kitty O’Reilly Will haunt evermore
12.
Twenty-three Camels 03:15
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TWENTY-THREE CAMELS Well it came about on a month of May That 23 Camels sailed away 23 Camels for Douglas sailed And the road to the Cariboo Where the Camels came from, no one knew In the Cariboo in the days of old From the U.S. Army or old Manchu? In the Cariboo in the days of gold From Arizona on a railway crew In the Cariboo in the days of old All the way to the Cariboo But 23 Camels that's a twist Oh you've never seen such a sight as this Run like a devil when the camels hiss On the Road to the Cariboo "Ships of the Desert" was the camel's fame In the Cariboo in the days of old They could carry a half-of-a-ton was claimed In the Cariboo in the days of gold Till their feet went tender and they all took lam In the Cariboo in the days of old They were auctioned off away But 23 Camels, that's a sight Where the donkey brays and the horse takes flight It's a wonder everybody didn't die of fright On the road to the Cariboo They kicked and bit at everything that moved In the Cariboo in the days of old They smelled so bad that they scared the mules In the Cariboo in the days of gold Causin' so much trouble that the teamsters sued In the Cariboo in the days of old Their disruptions to curtail But 23 Camels, that's a sight Where the donkey brays and the horse takes flight It's a wonder everybody didn't die of fright On the Road to the Cariboo But 23 Camels that's a twist Oh you've never seen such a sight as this Run like a devil when the camels spit On the Road to the Cariboo
13.
Fraser & Thompson 03:27
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14.
Down at Gassy Jack's 03:58
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DOWN AT GASSY JACK'S Captain John Deighton was, as most accounts convey With a bold outgoing nature, well regarded in his day Now history affords us that beside the western sea Jack Deighton built this city by his hospitality Aboard the "Flying Dutchman" He’d first gained some renown As a pilot on the Fraser, he supplied the goldrush towns 'Till he saw an opportunity on the shore by Hastings Mill Well he built himself a public house and they talk about it still Now there's good clean fun, Down at Gassy Jack's there's a barrel in the back And the whiskey flows like water, when you feel a little slack When you’re dogged-tired from workin', just sit down and relax Where the customer is always king, down at Gassy Jack's Jack took his wife and her family and put them all in a war canoe With a yellow dog, some broken chairs, a few odd chickens too And with these odd amenities, though the craft was over-flowin' Sat a great big barrel of whiskey, to set the whole thing going Jack broached the keg by a maple tree and he doled the whiskey out To the thirsty sawmill workers who had gathered 'round about In return for all his kindness, what a sight was soon beheld Within a day where Deighton stood, they’d built a small hotel Down at Gassy Jack's there's a barrel in the back And the whiskey flows like water, if you feel a little slack When you’re dogged-tired of working', just sit down and relax Where the customer is always king, down at Gassy Jack's Well it wasn't long 'till Jack's caught on and business starts to boom Sellin' hooch to ship-jumped sailors, serving food & letting rooms He soon had neighbours movin' in, and the place was all ablaze The boozers packed with loggers, dancing girls and poker games What first was known as Gastown became Granville, then Vancouver And for it’s hospitality it’s praised the wide world over From an up-sprung  little shanty to a city of acclaim That’s the tale of Gassy Jack who gave the place its fame Now there's good clean fun, Down at Gassy Jack's there's a barrel in the back And the whiskey flows like water, when you feel a little slack When you’re dogged-tired from workin', just sit down and relax Where the customer is always king, down at Gassy Jack's
15.
Chatham Reach 03:07
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CHATHAM REACH Along Chatham Reach My memory wanders still To gaze upon the splendour From her shoreline to her peaks A painter’s dream of heaven And to my soul she speaks As spring breaks through, down on Chatham Reach Ever since my younger days I have loved your misty shores I’d stare out from the tall grass Smell the sweetness on your breeze And at night around a fire We would gather on the beach Those friends I knew down on Chatham Reach And ever steeped in mystery your legends would unfold Of stalwart men to reach their end in search of Slumach’s Gold* And ever still, I’m haunted by the ghost of Louis Bee Sweet mystery, and it calls to me Now winter brings it’s bitter chill My breath hangs in the air The frost has turned the tall grass To the colour of my hair My life is done, my race is run But with a longing I am filled To linger still, down on Chatham Reach
16.
Ghosts of Read Island 03:44
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GHOSTS OF READ ISLAND Now here is a story of poor Jack O'Connor And the tale that surrounds his untimely demise Submitted in fact as just one like example Of such gruesome history Read Island's comprised The wind weathered rocks on the coast of Read Island Guard over the mysteries of her own tragic lore For it's said to this day that the ghosts of Read Island Appear in the mist of her desolate shores Jack Myers was a blaggart, a thief and a braggart Who sold stolen whiskey from his sloop in the bay When Tayor camp loggers bought up twenty-six bottles Little they knew such a price would be paid After a weekend of two fisted drinking Jack Myers ran amok with an old forty-four O'er a wager turned sour, on Monday's wee hours Poor Jack O'Connor lay dead on the floor The wind weathered rocks on the coast of Read Island Guard over the mysteries of her own tragic lore For it's said to this day that the ghosts of Read Island Appear in the mist of her desolate shores A magistrate came, Michael Manson by name Who, along with Fred Hussey performed the inques Those who witnessed the act testified to facts And a warrant was issued for Jack Myers arrest A posse was sworn in and with posted reward They sailed from Nanaimo on the "Joan" and "Estelle" When at last they found Myers hold up in Bute Inlet They brought him for trial, his story to tell The arm of the law is both strong and far-reaching Though he swore self-defence, at the end of the day Jack Myers was sentenced to a long life in prison For killing O'Connor in a blind drunken rage The wind weathered rocks on the coast of Read Island Guard over the mysteries of her own tragic lore For it's said to this day that the ghosts of Read Island Appear in the mist of her desolate shores The wind weathered rocks on the coast of Read Island Guard over the mysteries of her own tragic lore For it's said to this day that the ghosts of Read Island Appear in the mist of her desolate shores
17.
John Antle 04:49
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JOHN ANTLE The north Pacific coastline in the days of sail & steam Was as inhospitable a place as ever you might dream Through hope or desperation came the dauntless pioneers Seeking "the good life" in freedom's last frontier Up the lonely channels to mills and mines they poured To logging camps and shanties, all the hardships to endure In loneliness and injury they suffered so much pain 'Till came a man of mercy, John Antle was his name There's providence that watches over children and fools Faith to seize the fallen, and grace to heal their wounds If ever was a champion so selflessly disposed Remember John Antle for he was one of those Born in far off Newfoundland in the eighteen-sixties Son of a captain, John joined the ministry But his soul burned with a passion no parish could contain "Reverend John" could stand his ground, for the sea was in his veins With fierce determination and abiding faith, he chose To spread his social gospell through the many scattered coves He forged a coastal mission, built of hospitals and ships Exemplified the virtues of a Christian fellowship There's providence that watches over children and fools Faith to seize the fallen, and grace to heal their wounds If ever was a champion so selflessly disposed Remember John Antle for he was one of those And providence still watches over children and fools Faith can seize the fallen, and grace can heal their wounds If ever was a hero on which you could depend Remember John Antle, he was such a man
18.
Electric Railway Line 05:23
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ELECTRIC RAILWAY LINE Climbed aboard the old 1402 On the Electric Railway Line Thirteen cents in cash fare paid On the Electric Railway Line Got my transfer and receipt It took no time to take my seat Kicked off my shoes, kicked up my feet On the Electric Railway Line From Yarrow, Stewart & Sinclair Along the Interurban Line Then through Bellerose, Kidd, Reclaim Along the Interurban Line Stopped in Jackman, County Line Through Coghlan, Warwhoop and Jardine Meridian, Sullivan, Hyland, Kings On the Electric Railway Line All along the Interurban Line You could hear them motors wail and whine Clicking down the track and she’s right on time You can smoke “Wills’ Capstan Cigarettes” Out on the Observation Car You know they’re fifteen cents a packet By the Hastings depot yard You can read the Buzzer in the vestibule Or you can thumb through the Farm Service News Well I’m telling you, you just can’t loose On the Electric Railway Line I took a ride the Flying Dutchman once Along the Interurban Line Met a little girl from Jubilee Along the Interurban Line If you’ve got the price of fare Well then the BCE can get you there They just take a little more time and care On the Electric Railway Line All along the Interurban Line You could hear them motors wail and whine Clickin’ up the tracks and she’s right on time I saw the Duke of Connaught ride On the Electric Railway Line He went down to Lulu Isle. On the Electric Railway Line Well that’s your first-rate transportation Getcha to and from your destination So better get lined up at the station, boys For the Electric Railway Line
19.
Over Northern Skies 04:25
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OVER NORTHERN SKIES They’d never seen the likes before ‘Till that cold winter’s morn, on the ice of Bras d’Or The Silver Dart coursed through the air And the crowd assembled there, they all let out a cheer McCurdy’s biplane hurdled by He sets his sites upon the Nova Scotia sky Were there grace to grant my dreams I would ride with the wind, like a bird on high And if I had wings to fly, I would sail away Over Northern skies Alexander Graham Bell, who we all know so well Of telephone fame Gathered the thinkers of the day, oh, the tinkers of the trade To build his flying machine And the mandate he declared Do all it takes to set a man into the air Were there grace to grant my dreams I would ride with the wind, like a bird on high And if I had wings to fly, I would sail away Over Northern skies At thirty thousand feet It’s hard to believe, it’s only been a hundred years A Silver Dart coursed through the air On a wing and a prayer, and the crowd all cheered The world advances stride by stride So never fear to set your sites upon the sky Where there's grace to grant our dreams We can ride with the wind, like birds on high And given wings, we can fly, we can all sail away Over Northern skies We can sail away Over Northern skies
20.
Robbie McBeath 04:27
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ROBBIE MCBEATH To walk down the strand at Oldshoremore As the ships set out on the waves Is to think of the bravest of Sutherland men And all those who rest in their graves For there’s many a lad that’s been washed on these shores And many that’s ta’en (taken) to the depths There’s many a lad that’s been lost to the wars But never young Robbie McBeath And where have you been, Robbie McBeath? And where are you, my laddie-o? Wha’s (who is) the cause of a’ Sutherland’s pride? Wha but ye (who but you), laddie-o? He signed himself up, though he’s only a lad He’s gone with the Seaforths to France He’s taken a run, with a big Lewis Gun And he’s taught the Germans to dance Now down tae (at) the palace he’s kenned tae (known to) the Queen As broadly it’s kenned tae (known to) us all That once he has given himself to a task There’s none that can steer him awa’ (away) And where have you been, Robbie McBeath And where are you, my laddie-o? Wha’s (who is) the cause of a’ Sutherland’s pride Wha but ye (who but you), laddie-o? Now the flags are half-masted in Vancouver City A sombre procession begins To honour their Constable Robert McBeath They’ve gathered in tribute to him As you walk down the strand at Oldshoremore As the sun sinks in to the west Think on the bravest of Sutherland men And of gallant young Robbie McBeath And where have you been, young Robbie McBeath And where are you, my laddie-o? Wha’s (who is) the cause of all Vancouver’s pride Wha but ye (who but you), laddie-o? Wha’s (who is) the cause of a’ Sutherland’s pride Wha but ye (who but you), laddie-o?
21.
The Bitter End 04:42
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THE BITTER END In the days of Prohibition, through the tides of the Haro Straight Rum boats ran illicit cargoes under cover of the night The small time operator facing danger at each turn From the pirate & hijacker, the Coast Guard and the Revenuer It was the keeper of the Turn Point Light Who first found the Beryl G Drifting upon the morning tide, a grisly sight to see From her deck down to her cabin the signs of blood in every place What had become of her cargo and her crew, he could not find trace But if you sail on “Rum Runner’s Row” It’s danger you will find For the sharks that lurk these waters, they’re of the human kind And let there be no illusions, you will never know a friend From a pistol to the gallows and all the way to the bitter end Harry Sowash, Owen Baker & Charlie Morris made a plan That they would rob the whiskey runners Disguised as US Customs men So they combed the San Juan Islands in search of opportunity Until just off Sidney Island where they spied the Beryl G They shot Wm Gillis where he stood When they knew that he was dead That’s when they cut young Willy Jr. down with a blow to his head Oh, if you sail on “Rum Runner’s Row” It’s danger you will find For the sharks that lurk these waters, they’re of the human kind There is murder and deception and on this you can depend It’s a short step from the gallows all the way to the bitter end It was the keeper of the Turn Point Light Who first found the Beryl G Drifting on the morning tide, what a grisly sight to see Now they say that Charlie Morris got life in prison for his crime Harry Sowash & Owen Baker were to pay with their lives To sail that sea of sorrow with the hangman for a friend Just a short step up the gallows and on their way to the bitter end So if you sail on “Rum Runner’s Row” It’s danger you will find For the sharks that lurk these waters, they’re of the human kind And let there be no illusions, you will never know a friend It’s a short step from the gallows all the way to the bitter end 
22.
McCulloch's Wonder 04:50
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MCCULLOCH'S WONDER Back in1916 they laid the last rail down On the Coast-to-Kootenay Railway from Hope to Midway town Over 3 mountain ranges lay the greatest challenge that any engineer could find Two ribbons of steel they called the Kettle Valley Railway Line Andrew McCulloch, just look what you have done You’ve built a railway, where they said a railway was never meant to run Where other men would have said “die” You’d take a second look, ‘cause you never know until you try Now it’s called McCulloch’s Wonder; the old “Tin Whistle” Line What dreams inspired your trestled spans along the Myra Canyon? Or drove Othello Tunnels through Hope’s forbidding gate? Copper, gold, cattle & coal from across the southern vales Avalanches ice & snow, through driving wind and hail Chief Engineer for twenty years, kept watchful eye on the marvel he’d designed It was called McCulloch’s Wonder the Kettle Valley Railway Line Aboard a helper engine, up Carmi’s steeper grades The fireman’s back was breaking, he shovelled eighteen tons a day Now everything is still, no smoke no steam or rumble in the rails Water towers and stations gone and few folks left to tell the tale But buried in these silent hills along the roadside stands a lonely highway sign Recalls McCulloch’s Wonder the Kettle Valley Railway Line McCulloch’s Wonder The old “Tin Whistle” Line
23.
Last of the Royal Engineers 03:23
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LAST OF THE ROYAL ENGINEERS In 1927 Philip Jackman passed away And with him passed a legacy that can still be felt today When Victoria was sovereign Britannia ruled the waves And the dreams of an empire were borne on the sapper’s spade Here’s to the last of those fine, gallant men And sad, of their likes we shall not see again Raise up your glass for all those we hold deer For we’ve seen the last of the Royal Engineers A boyish man from Devonshire, he came across the brine With the corp. of the Royal Engineers in 1859 True men of sense & purpose, new frontiers to explore They built a British Colony on the North Pacific shore He’d built the roads & highways, and he’d dredged the channels through Been a cop in New Westminster, worked the CP Survey Crew Homesteaded quarter section where he raised a family too He’d marked his place in history when he passed at ninety-two Here’s to the last of those fine, gallant men And sad, of their likes we shall not see again Raise up your glass to all those we hold deer Here’s to the last of the Royal Engineers For years he’d watched the shadows as around, the men he’d known Death touched their lips with silence, he’d draped them one by one He would drink a toast in silence, “to the builders of the west” Long life to the hearts still beating, and peace to the hearts at rest”
24.
Tiller's Folly w/ Valdy - Friendly Waters 02:51
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FRIENDLY WATERS I am a tug Master and I work on the water From Atkinson Point down to Boundary Bay I’ve spent my adult life from deck hand to Master Since the first time these waters whispered my name I have watched as the sun rises over Port Moody I’ve felt the cold wind roll down Indian Arm I’ve buried my bow in the First Narrows rip Had so many close calls still, I’ve never met harm You could travel all over the seven wide oceans You’ll find nothing better, wherever you roam In 30 some years I have had some adventures On these friendly waters, these harbours of home When I first was a deckhand I worked on the Fraser Hauling those booms to the North Arm mills Had my share of near misses, dodging the rail bridges The scent of cut cedar still gives me that thrill I’ve weathered the Sand Heads in the face of a westerly Bided my time ‘till the turn of the tide Watched as the fishing boats make for the breakwater To tie up at Steveston ‘till the whitecaps subside Now I pull past the big ships, their holds are all brimming With cargos of sulphur, containers & grain Out bound for unknown destinations Those strange distant ports with the curious names You could travel all over the seven wide oceans You’ll find nothing better, wherever you roam In 30 some years I have had some adventures On these friendly waters, these harbours of home You could travel all over, you’ll never find better….. Than these friendly waters, these harbours of home

about

All songs, music & lyrics by Bruce Coughlan (SOCAN) except: The Ballad of John Rae by Bruce Coughlan & Jim Smith (SOCAN)

All tracks produced by Laurence Knight except: Laurence Knight & Steven Drake (15, 23) Joby Baker (4, 21, 24) Bruce Coughlan (6, 14, 20) Mastered & re-mastered by Joby Baker Thank-you to our families, friends and fans for all your support and inspiration!!

Thanks to everyone who contributed to our Kickstarter Stirring Up Ghosts initiative. Special thanks to Rob Armstrong, Katharine Barrett, Bob Chenoweth and the Lexvolds. Special thanks again to Dave & Paula Reed who’s initial contribution made this project possible.

credits

released June 1, 2015

Bruce Coughlan – vocals (all tracks) acoustic guitar (2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24) wood flute (1, 5, 10, 13, 14) whistles (1, 5, 14, 20, 24)
Laurence Knight – electric bass (all tracks) vocals (7, 12, 16, 18, 19, 22, 23)
Nolan Murray – fiddle (5, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24) mandolin (4, 5, 6, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24) 5-string banjo (5, 14, 22, 23)
Joby Baker – drums (4, 20, 21, 24) Whurlitzer piano (4) vocals (20)
Ian Cameron – fiddle (1, 11) mandolin (1)
Noel Chalmers – military drum (20)
Aaron Chapman – vocals (14)
John Cowan – vocals (15)
Doug Cox – dobro (21)
Jack Duncan – percussion (1)
Colleen Eccleston – vocals (21)
Bear Erickson – elec. guitar (20) vocals (20)
Geoff Eyre – drums (2, 8, 17)
Tatiana Hancheroff – vocals (17)
Daryl Havers – accordion (3)
Dave Keogh – vocals (14)
Larry Knechtel – Hammond (15)
Craig McGregor – acoustic guitar (7, 10, 13, 17) elec. guitar (3, 17) octave mandolin (8) mandolin (9)
Jim McWilliams – bagpipes (20)
Sandy Marshall – bagpipes (20)
Chris Nordquist – drums (14, 15, 19, 23)
Gord Maxwell – vocals (2, 3, 11, 18, 22)
Aiden O’Brien – uillean pipes & whistles (4) vocals (4)
Paul O’Brien – vocals (4)
Peter Padden – vocals (2)
Eric Reed – elec. guitar (23) mandolin (6, 16) vocals (16)
Phil Robertson – drums (5, 12, 18, 22)
Mike Sanyshyn – fiddle (3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 17, 22) mandolin (8, 12, 22)
David Sinclair – elec. guitar (4)
Victor Smith – fiddle (9) whistles (3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13) silver flute (17)
Shawn Soucy – drums (3, 9, 10, 13) percussion (8, 9, 10, 13)
Robbie Steininger – acoustic guitar (1, 5, 22) elec. guitar (18) dobro (18, 22)
Chris Stevens – 5-string banjo (7, 9, 12)
Ed Wagstaff – bagpipes (20)
Valdy – vocals (24)

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Bruce Coughlan Maple Ridge, British Columbia

Pacific Canadian-based recording & performing artist, Bruce Coughlan has spent decades making Acoustic Roots Music Music of all descriptions. An expressive singer and rock-solid guitarist, Bruce is driven by one guiding principle: It's all about the Song. ... more

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