Tickle Cove Pond – as performed by Great Big Sea
G D
In cuttin and haulin in frost and in snow
C D7
we're up against troubles that few people know
G D
It's only by courage and patience and grit
C D G
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
G D
to hurry my haulin with spring coming on
C D G
I near lost me a mare out on Tickle Cove Pond
CHORUS:
D G D
Lay hold William Oldford, lay hold William White
C D
Lay hold of the cordage and pull all your might
G D
Lay hold of the bowline and pull all you can
C D G
And give me a lift with poor Kit on the pond
G D
I knew that the ice grew weaker each day
C D7
But still took the risk and kept haulin away
G D
One evening in April bound home with a load
C D G
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
G D
She turned round her head with tears in her eyes
C D G
As if she were sayin "You're risking our lives"
G D
All this I ignored with a whip handle blow
C D7
For man is a stupid dumb creature you know
G D
And the very next moment the pond gave a sigh
C D G
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
G D
Poor creature she's dead, poor creature she's gone
C D G
I'll ne'er get my mare out of Tickle Cove Pond
G D
I raised an alarm you could hear for a mile
C D7
and neighbours showed up in a very short while
G D
You can always rely on the Oldfords and Whites
C D G
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
G D
And with the rope fastened around the mare's breast
C D G
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