Squid Jiggin' Ground

w. A.R. Scammell   m. Traditional

 

Oh, this is the place where the fishermen gather

In oilskins and boots and Cape Anns battened down

All sizes of "figgers" with squid lines and jiggers

They congregate here on the squid-jiggin' ground.

 

Some are workin' their jiggers while others are yarnin'

There's some standin' up there's more lyin' down

While all kinds of fun, jokes, and tricks are begun

As they wait for the squid on the squid-jiggin' ground.

 

There's men of all ages and boys in the bargain

There's old Billy Chafe and there's young Raymond Brown

Right yonder is Bobby and with him is Nobby

They're a chawin' hardtack on the squid-jiggin' ground.

 

There's men from the harbour,  and men from the tickle

In all kinds of motor boats green, grey, and brown

There's a red rantin' Tory out here in a dory

He’s a-runnin' down Squires on the squid-jiggin' ground.

Well the man with the whisker is old Jacob Steele

He's gettin' well up but he's still pretty sound

While Uncle Bob Hawkins wears six pairs of stockin’s

Whenever he's out on the squid-jiggin' ground.

 

God bless my sou'wester, there's Skipper John Chaffey

He's the best hand at squid-jiggin' here I'll be bound

Hello! What's the row? Why, he's jiggin' one now!

The very first squid on the squid-jiggin' ground.

 

Holy smoke! What a scuffle! All hands are excited

Its  a wonder to me that there's nobody drowned

A bustle, confusion, a wonderful  tussle

They're all jiggin' squid on the squid-jiggin' ground.

 

There's poor Uncle Billy, his whiskers are spattered

With spots of the squid juice  flyin' around

One poor little b'y got it right in the eye

But they don't care a  hang on the squid-jiggin' ground.

 

Says Bobby, "The squids are on top of the water,

I've just got me jigger 'bout one fathom down"

When  a squid in the boat squirted right down his throat

And he's swearin' like mad on the squid-jiggin' ground.

 

Now if  you ever feel inclined to go squiddin'

Leave your white shirts and collars behind in the town

And if you gets cranky without your silk hanky

You'd better steer clear of the squid-jiggin' ground.

 

Oh, this is the place where the fishermen gather

In oilskins and boots and Cape Anns battened down

All sizes of "figgers" with squid lines and jiggers

They congregate here on the squid-jiggin' ground.