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INTRODUCTION
A number of the songs in this collection have been heard
by campfire and trail from the camps of British Columbia to the lumber
camps of Maine. Several of the songs have been fired at the Huns
“somewhere in France," no doubt with deadly effect. And also at the
Turks on the long long hike to Bagdad and beyond.
And it is not impossible that some of my countrymen are
now warbling snatches of my humble verse to the accompaniment of
bagpipes on the streets of the New Jerusalem! Many of the verses have
appeared from time to time in leading publications from Vancouver, B.
C., to the New England States and Eastern Canada; while others appear in
print here for the first time.
From all parts of the land I have received letters at
various times asking for extra copies of some particular song in my
humble collection, which I was not in a position to supply at the time.
I therefore decided to publish some of the songs for
which a demand had been expressed, and in so doing offer to the reading
public in extenuation of my offense the plea that in a manner this
humble volume is being published by request.
I offer no apology for my “dialect" songs as they have
already received the approval of music lovers whose judgment is beyond
criticism.
For the errors which must inevitably creep into the work
of a non-college-bred lumberjack, I crave the indulgence of all
highbrows who may resent my inability to comb the classics for copy to
please them. All the merit 1 can claim is the ability to rhyme a
limerick or sing a "come-all-ye" in a manner perhaps not unpleasing to
my friends.
The lumberjacks will understand me, 1 am sure, and will
appreciate my humble efforts to entertain them.
As for the genial highbrow, should he deem me an
interloper in the realm of letters and imagine that my wild, uncultured
notes are destroying the harmony of his supersensitive soul, I shall
"lope" back to the tall timber again and seek sympathy and appreciation
among the lumberjacks of the forest primeval, where, amid the wild
surroundings and the crooning of the trees, there is health for mind and
body borne on every passing breeze. Yes, there* s something strangely
healing in the magic of the myrrh, in the odor of the cedar and the
fragrance of the fir.
There the hardy lumberjack is the undisputed lord of the
lowlands and chief of the highlands, and at the present time no soldier
in the trenches or sailor on the rolling deep has a more arduous task to
perform or a more important duty to discharge than he.
Toil on, ye Titans of the tall timbers; steadfast
soldiers of the saw, and able allies of the axe. Carry on till the
stately trees which constitute the glory of the West are converted into
ships and planes in countless thousands, to win the great war for
freedom and to make the world safe for democracy— and lumberjacks!
THE AUTHOR
CONTENTS
DESTINY
There’s a grand, grand view unfolding.
THE SONS OF OUR MOTHERS
In the Ramah's of our day.
CHRISTMAS IN QUEBEC
I got notice sometam lately.
THE CLEVELAND MESSAGE
It is such a fad at present.
THE SULTAN AT POTSDAM
Mohammed, Dammed gift of God
JOHN LABONNS DREAM
All last night I was me dreaming
THE DERELICT
1 will write a short sketch of a free-hearted^wretch.
GAGNE’S CAVALRY
Ma Rosie write to me someting
THE GRIPPE
To see us now deceive
TRUDEL’S TRAVELS
Said Joe, I mus' go w'ere de snow she don' blow
THE END OF THE TRAIL
1 was summoned in the gloaming,
SERGEANT MAJOR LARRY
Of the Gallant 58th
HOMESICK
I am tire’ now for roam Rosemarie
THE FENIAN RAID
From de countrie of de Eagle
A LEAP YEAR PARTY
The night before last Hallowe’en
THE HOLLERNZOLLERN’S PRAYER
Dear Gott, der weight of “right devine”
ALASKA BOUNDARY LINE
Now that little Venezuela
THE GUARD OF LAFAYETTE
Ma Rosie say to me today
THE LUMBERJACK
We have songs on many topics
THE BOOK AGENT
The sun rose in beauty
JEAN LABONNE
1 am now one lumberjack
CANADIANS, GUARD YOUR OWN
“On feet of day,” false prophets say
GUARD THE GAELIC
Is it not our bounden right?
THE AMERICAN EAGLE
Lofty is thy habitation
DONALD MacLEOD
The sun hath set and leaves the day
OVER THE TOP
A lusty lad from Lewis
THE ALKALI LAND
I left my old home and my friends in the East
A CHRISTMAS DREAM
One Christmas night 1 sallied forth. |
