A Great Big Sea Hove In Long Beach (polka) on The Session

One setting

X: 1
T: A Great Big Sea Hove In Long Beach
R: polka

Six comments

Newfoundland tune.

Published in Gerald S. Doyle’s "Old-Time Songs And Poetry Of
Newfoundland: Songs Of The People From The Days Of Our Forefathers"
(Second edition, p.27, 1940; Third edition, p.25, 1955).

Based on a real event in 1920 when a storm struck in around
Long Beach and Canaille, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland, and
pushed the beach across the road and up around the Keough home.
(Ref:Neil V. Rosenburg, professor of Folklore, Memorial University)

Lyrics:
A great big sea hove in Long Beach,
Right fol-or-al ta-dee-did-dle I-do,
A great big sea hove in Long Beach,
And Granny Snooks she lost her speech,
To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.

A great big sea hove in the Harbour
Right fol-or-al ta-dee-did-dle I-do,
A great big sea hove in the Harbour
And hove right up in Keough’s Parlour
To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.

Oh, dear Mother I wants a sack
Right fol-or-al ta-dee-did-dle I-do,
Oh, dear Mother I wants a sack
With beads and buttons all down the back
To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.

"Me boot is broke, me frock is tore
Right fol-or-al ta-dee-did-dle I-do,
"Me boot is broke, me frock is tor
But Georgie Snooks I do adore.
To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.

Oh, fish is low and flour is high
Right fol-or-al ta-dee-did-dle I-do,
Oh, fish is low and flour is high
So Georgie Snooks he can’t have I
To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.

But he will have me in the fall
Right fol-or-al ta-dee-did-dle I-do,
If he don’t I’ll hoist my sail
And say goodbye to old Canaille.
To me right fol-di-dy fol-dee.