The Food Fishery Song
Composed by: Cyril Walsh

Come all Newfoundlander’s whatever your age.
Put on your long rubbers and go down to the stage.
Get into your boat and head out to sea.
Make sure you are part of the food fishery.

Ten fish per person that’s all you're allowed.
You will not get many so take a big crowd.
All hands take their jiggers and head out to sea.
Everyone must take part in the food fishery.

It was two years ago our fishery was closed down.
The fish should be teaming out there on them grounds.
You should get your quota in an hour or two.
Then come on ashore it’s the best thing to do.

Just two days per week for to jig your amount.
So whatever you jig make sure that you count.
It maybe a halibut, sculpin or skate.
They are part of the quota it must go on your plate.

Now if it’s windy on those special days
You won’t get another so on shore you stays.
You’ll be hoping and longing until next weekend.
But when you get out there you can only jig ten.

Last Friday morning about quarter to three.
We went out for fishing my buddy and me.
We only jigged five we could not get ten.
Which only proves out what a mess that we’re in.

There are all kinds of people out there on them grounds.
With reel and jiggers just lowering them down.
Waiting and hoping their ten fish to jig.
It’s so very scarce and it’s not very big.

People out there from all walks of life.
Brothers and sisters, husbands and wives.
All out there fishing to get their quota you see.
All taking their part in the food fishery.

There are sons and daughters and grandmothers too.
Grandfathers and cousins make up all the crew.
Young girls and old women and bald headed men.
They are all out there fishing to get their quota of ten.

If old king Solomon was here on earth today.
He would do some fishing out there on the bay.
It would cost him a fortune for jiggers and lines.
He has hundreds of wives and a few concubines.   Submitted By: Calvin Walsh