The Fishery Package song
Tune: For now I’m 64
or: Star of Logy Bay

Come all my Newfoundland Friends, and listen to my song.
I will tell you of our fishery, It won’t delay you long.
They closed our fishery down you know in nineteen ninety two.
The fish was gone it all went wrong, there was nothing else to do.

Chorus
O, how I long for those good old days,
those happy days gone by.
When all of us we did our best,
or at least we had to try.
Those good old days were happy then,
In the good old days of yore.
I wish I could retire now,
But I’m only fifty-four.

John Crosbie announced his package, To help us to survive.
Some got enough, others had it tough, they barely stayed alive.
From two twenty five to four-o-six dollars for each soul.
It was just a small bit better, then what we call the dole.

Two years this package would run out, the fishing it would start.
But it never happened, it’s enough to break your heart.
Our way of life was took from us, our heritage is gone.
The government may ponder it, what in this world went wrong.

Some may leave the fishery, others they will stay on.
I know it won’t be easy now, because all the fish is gone.
Some persons have retired, others moved away.
Life it won’t be easy now, when you live around the bay.

People on the mainland, thought we had it made.
If we had a chance to get their jobs, they would not want to trade.
For than they’d know how hard we work, for the little pay we get.
Our work, it’s done from sun to sun, we’re sometimes soaking wet.

Now the package has ran out, a new one soon will start.
Some say it’s for a while, but others say it’s short.
If there are any cutbacks, I truthfully must say.
They just as well forget this bill, and take it all away.

They told us about retraining, and we all must go to school.
I guess they thought that fisher folk, was just a crowd of fools.
The money spent yes every cent, for people to retrain.
Was just a waste of funds you know, as no one here did gain.

Some of us we went to school, others they did not.
Some others said they did not gain, with the training that they got.
Others said they did not see, the usefullness to train.
Improve our odds there is no cod, and never will again.

Brian he came down from St. John’s, to announce his package scheme.
With Lloyd Axeworthy by his side, to me they looked ashamed.
The new package it now begins, on the fifthteenth day of May.
But it’s cut down by six percent, or at least that’s what they say.

We now do know how much we’ll get, on this new package plan.
It does not seem like very much, as you may understand.
We will have to write an “How to” book, on the basics to survive.
I guess that’s about the only way, we’re going to stay alive.

We cannot draw a pension, we have no pension plan.
Some worked for years and years, and have done the best they can.
It does not matter how long we worked, from the bounties of the sea.
The whole darn thing it’s based upon are stamps from U.I.C

They consulted with the provinces, the union too as well.
They cooked up a scheme from Cashin’s dream, as anyone can tell.
I know that I’m not very smart, I did not go to school.
My learning it was done at home, that’s why I’m such a fool.

They say now we will have to work, on this new package plan.
I suppose if that does happen, we will do the best we can.
It maybe picking up garbage, or maybe planting trees.
But we all know just what it’s for, the Government we must please.

So here’s to Mr. Tobin, and all his colleagues too.
May his friends be many, and his enemies be few.
I hope he’ll always be proud and kind of Newfoundlanders when he speaks.
May he never have to live, on two hundred bucks per week.

The older folks are passed away, their fishing days are done.
If they could come back from their graves, they would not catch even one.
Although they’d think it’s very strange, with not a fish to eat.
They would not stop but go on back, and stay with old St. Pete.

When we get to heaven's gates, over on the golden shore.
We will meet old fisher folk, who is gone on before.
St. Peter he will greet us, and the gates he will unlock.
And say come in good fisher folk, you are welcome to the flock.

St. Peter was a fisherman, he fished with all his pride.
And he got an abundant catch, he threw his nets on the other side.
He never got the package, he had a better plan.
When we enter Heaven’s gates, he will take us by the hand.

When we see St. Peter, with the whisker’s on his chin.
When he finds out we’re fisher folks, he will invite us in.
He will know we are on the package, by the sadness on our face.
And say to us poor fisher folk, you need God’s love and grace.

St. Peter he will say to us, It’s a pity and a sin.
The way them fellows treated you, I don’t think I’ll let them in.
I could make an exception, Heaven as no chosen few.
For Brian and Mr. Crosbie, I’ll see what I can do.

St. Peter disappeared from sight, but came back with a grin.
If they don’t have at least 10 stamps, I cannot let them in.
As for the way they treated you, and your next of kin.
I’ll close the door for evermore, There’s another place for them.

Mr. Crosbie gave us money, Mr. Tobin cut it down.
Because the difficult was high, no money could be found.
I know that living on this earth, those two men will not agree.
Because one of them is liberal and the other one P.C.

So now my friends it all depends, upon the fish in the sea.
Just trust in God, to bring back the cod, I’ll know you will agree.
But if the fish came back again, there would be excitement by the shore.
I don’t think I would worry then, for now I’m fifty four.

So now I’ll close my song you see, I have done the best I can.
I wish success to our outports, and our province, Newfoundland.
May God in his great mercy, Bless her shore to shore.
And send some fish, that is our wish. For now we’re fifty four.

Now to conclude and finish it, the truth to you I’ll tell.
Our fish plant may never open again, perhaps it’s just as well.
The fishing it is over, may not come back any more.
But if it do I’ll tell to you, I’ll be over fifty four.

Composed by Cyril Walsh.   Submitted By: Calvin Walsh