The Flemings of Torbay

The Flemings Of Torbay is a popular Newfoundland folk song about two young men from Torbay. It was written by Johnny Burke, a popular St. John's balladeer.

Lyrics

 * The thrilling news we heard last week
 * is in our memories yet,
 * Two fishermen from Newfoundland
 * saved from the jaws of death;
 * Two fine young men born in Torbay
 * who went adrift at sea,
 * On the eighteenth day of April
 * from the schooner Jubilee.


 * They left to prosecute their voyage
 * near the Grand Banks' stormy shore,
 * Where many's the hardy fisherman
 * was never heard of more;
 * For six long days in storms at sea
 * those hardy fellows stood,
 * Fatigued, footsore, and hungry,
 * no water or no food.


 * Tossed on the seas ail those long days
 * while bitter was each night,
 * No friend to speak a kindly word,
 * no sail to heave in sight;
 * At last a vessel hove in sight
 * and saw the floating speck,
 * The Jessie Maurice was her name,
 * coal laden from Quebec.


 * Our wheelsman well-trained he espied
 * clear through the misty haze,
 * Those poor exhausted fishermen
 * adrift so many days;
 * Our captain, a kindhearted man,
 * had just come on the deck,
 * Then orders gave to hard aport
 * and shaped her for the wreck.


 * Two hours or more while the winds did roar
 * the Jessie sailed around,
 * To see if any tidings of
 * the dory could be found;
 * The crew was stationed on the bow
 * all anxious her to hail,
 * When the captain spied her in
 * the fog just aft the water rail.


 * Our brave commander right away
 * the order gave to launch,
 * The jolly boats that hung astern
 * of good old oak so staunch;
 * Two brave old seamen manned the oars
 * and at the word to go,
 * The captain standing in the bow
 * to take the boat in tow.


 * The captain gripped the painter for
 * to bring her to the barque,
 * While those on board were still as death,
 * their features cold and dark;
 * A sling was then made fast below
 * in which those men to place,
 * While tender-hearted mariners
 * they worked with noble faith.


 * No sign of life was in those men
 * as they were placed in bed,
 * But still our captain held out hope
 * the vital spark not fled;
 * He watched for days and sleepless nights
 * to bring those men around,
 * And on the second day discerned
 * but just a feeble sound.


 * The first to speak was Peter,
 * the eldest of the two,
 * He told the captain who they were,
 * a part of the Jubilee's crew;
 * And how in April on the Banks
 * they chanced to drift astray,
 * And lay exposed in an open boat
 * for six long stormy days.


 * Our captain then our stuns'l set
 * and shaped her for Quebec,
 * He took on board the dory
 * and all left of the wreck;
 * He watched those men with a mother's care
 * while in their berth they lay,
 * And saved the lives of two poor boys
 * once more to see Torbay.


 * God bless the Jessie's gallant crew,
 * likewise their captain bold,
 * Their names should be recorded
 * into letters of bright gold;
 * And send them peace and happiness
 * in every port they lay,
 * The plucky boys that saved the life
 * of the Flemings of Torbay.