The Squid-Jigging Ground

1.  Oh, this is the place where the fishermen gather,
With oilskins and boots and Cape Anns battened down;
All sizes of figures with squid-lines and jiggers,
they congregate here on the squid-jigging ground.

2.  Some are workin’ their jiggers while others are yarnin’,
There’s some standin’ up and there’s more layin’ down;
While all kinds of fun, jokes and tricks are begun
As they wait for the squid on the squid-jigging ground.

3.  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-jigging ground.

4.  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-jigging ground.

5.  God bless my sou’wester there's Skipper John Chaffey;
He’s the best hand at squid-jigging here, I’ll be bound.
Hello!  What’s the row?  Why, he’s jiggin’ one now,
The very first squid on the squid-jigging ground.

6.  The man with the whiskers is old Jacob Steele;
He’s getting’ well up but he’s still pretty sound;
While Uncle Bob Howkins wears six pairs of stockin’s
Whenever he’s out on the squid-jigging ground.

7.  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’ squids on the squid-jigging ground.

8.  Says Bobby, “The squids are on top of the water.
I just got me a jigger ‘bout one fathom down”
When a squid on the boat squirted right down his throat
And he’s swearin’ like mad on the squid-jigging ground.

9.  There’s poor Uncle Billy his whiskers are spattered
With spots of squid juice that’s flying around;
One poor liitle b’y got it right in the eye
But they don’t give a darn on the squid-jigging ground.

10.  Now if you ever feel inclined to go squiddin’,
Leave your white shirts and collars behind in the town:
And if you get cranky without your silk hanky,
You’d better steer clear of the squid-jigging ground.