Well, it was on this Monday morning and the day had been calm and fine.
To the Harbour Grace Excursion with the boys who have a time
And just before the sailor took the gangway from the pier
I saw some fella haul me wife aboard as a volunteer
CHORUS:
Oh me, oh my, I heard me old wife cry
Oh me, oh my, I think I’m gonna die!
Oh me, oh my, I heard me old wife say,
“I wish I’d never taken this excursion around the bay”
We had full three hundred souls aboard, oh what a splendid sight!
Matt Strong in regimentals for to make our spirits bright.
And me self being in the double, when a funny things they’d say
They choke themselves from laughing when they’d see us in the bay
CHORUS
My wife she got no better, she turned a sickly green
I fed her cake and candy, fat pork and kerosene
Castor-oil and sugar of candy, I rubbed pure oil on her face
And I said she’d be a dandy when we reaches Harbour Grace!
CHORUS
My wife she got no better, my wife me darling dear
The screeches from her throat you could hear in Carbonear
I tried every place in Harbour Grace, tried every store and shop,
To get her something for a cure or take her to the hop
CHORUS
She died below the Brandies as we were coming back
We buried her in the ocean, wrapped up in the Union Jack
So now I am a single man, in search of a pretty face
And the woman that says she’ll have me, sure I’m off for Harbour Grace!
CHORUS