Tickle Cove Pond as performed by Great Big Sea
GD
In cuttin and haulin in frost and in snow
CD7
we're up against troubles that few people know
GD
It's only by courage and patience and grit
CDG
and eatin plain food that we keep ourselves fit
Em
The hard and the easy we take as they come
C walk down to Am D
and when ponds freeze over we shorten our runs
GD
to hurry my haulin with spring coming on
CDG
I near lost me a mare out on Tickle Cove Pond
CHORUS:
DGD
Lay hold William Oldford, lay hold William White
CD
Lay hold of the cordage and pull all your might
GD
Lay hold of the bowline and pull all you can
CDG
And give me a lift with poor Kit on the pond
GD
I knew that the ice grew weaker each day
CD7
But still took the risk and kept haulin away
GD
One evening in April bound home with a load
CDG
my mare showed some halting against the ice road
Em
She knew more than I did as matters turned out
C walk down to Am D
Been lucky for me had I joined her in doubt
GD
She turned round her head with tears in her eyes
CDG
As if she were sayin "You're risking our lives"
GD
All this I ignored with a whip handle blow
CD7
For man is a stupid dumb creature you know
GD
And the very next moment the pond gave a sigh
CDG
and up to our necks went poor Kitty and I
CHORUS
Em
And if I had taken wise Kitty's advice
C walk down to Am D
I ne'er would have made that short cut on the ice
GD
Poor creature she's dead, poor creature she's gone
CDG
I'll ne'er get my mare out of Tickle Cove Pond
GD
I raised an alarm you could hear for a mile
CD7
and neighbours showed up in a very short while
GD
You can always rely on the Oldfords and Whites
CDG
To render assistance in all your bad plights
Em
To help a kind neighbour is part of their lives
C walk down to Am D
The same can be said for their children and wives
GD
And with the rope fastened around the mare's breast
CDG
William White for a shanty song made a request
Em
There was no time for thinkin no time for delay
C walk down to Am D
Straight from his heart came this song right away
CHORUS x2