Codfisher Lyrics

I was born in Halifax, upon the Atlantic sea,
Where the wind blows hard and string relentlessly.
I first saw the Blue Nose sail, when I was but a lad. And since I was a young man, fishing's the job I've had.

I worked on board my father's boat, until he passed away.
Out with hook and line I was most every single day.
I wasn't rich but the catch was good and I always could get by
I thought this would be the work Id do, until the day I died.

But out beyond the Grand Banks, where my small craft cannot go,
out upon the ocean where the whale fish blow,
giant boats with many men by the thousands bring fish in.
They've scoured the ground fish stocks of Cod, Turbot, and Capelin.
When we saw our catch decline, we were sorely grieved.
So went to petition the minister and department of fisheries.
But our pleading fell on deaf ears and nothing did they do,
So now in desperation I bring my case to you.

The draggers and hard trawlers from many countries came,
And they scoured the ocean floor all o'er until no fish remained.
Then the government came back to us and said, ”Hey, there's a problem on our shores.”
And declared a moratorium and said I could fish Cod no more.

So I say to hell with Canada and to hell with mobile gear
The ban has been extended now for indefinite years
While in international waters, the great waves rise and fall.
And the multinational companies continue the dragger trawl.

So now we've organized and we're taking our case to sea.
Out on the continental shelf, we'll confront the companies,
We'll throw stink bombs aboard their boats, and cut and slash their nets.
We'll let the greedy bastards know that we're not beaten yet.

I was born in Halifax, upon the Atlantic sea,
Where the wind blows hard and string relentlessly.
They've taken away my livelihood but they'll never break my will.
For I wish my son could be a fisherman and I wish that I was too.