Born and raised in St. Mary’s, St. Mary’s by the sea
Growing up in our little town – a wonderful place to be
From the cannon mounds out on the point across the landwash we’d explore
All along the harbour beach right up along the shore

Almost every home had a barn nearby – a stable we called it then
Home to a horse, a cow, some sheep and always a few hens
We had sawmills in our town and a forge that was first-rate
And a lighthouse down in the gulch to keep our mariners safe

Trouting in the Lookout Pond or picking berries by the Scrape
Going home with a gad of trout made us feel so great
Beach bonfire nights and the caplin run were sure to give a lot of fun
As were rides on a load of hay or in the winter on a sleigh

Through vegetable gardens and hayfields we stroll watching the adults’ work unfold
With every swing of the sharpened scythe, a swath of hay lay neatly aside
A little wind and sun in the sky, it didn’t take long for the hay to dry
Then stored away within the stable, enough to last till March or April

The government wharf and the bait depot, an interesting place for us kids to go
Watching vessels unload the freight and others picking up their bait
The beach it was a busy place in the springtime of the year
With fishermen fixing their boats and mending fishing gear

The “put-put” of the “make or break” was an early morning sound
As the motorboats were leaving for the fishing ground
And likewise on their return we hear them passing by Lance Cove
Heading over to the Battcocks’ wharf, their cod fish to unload

Salt dried cod was king back then before fresh-frozen plants came into being
With exports to the Boston states and down to the Caribbean
That journey south was a dangerous one – people prayed for their safe return
With their cargo of molasses, sugar, tea and rum

Our harbour was known as a safe-haven port
That could accommodate ships of most any sort
When storms of autumn would come our way
We would watch the vessels come in the bay

There were Grand Bank schooners with dories stacked high
And coastal boat freighters anchored near by
Other vessels tied up to the wharf safe and sound
All sheltered from the storm this time around

The Presentation Sisters played a good part in our lives
From teaching us our schooling to coaching altar boys
The choir they would assemble each and every year
Was a credit to our parish and the talent that was there

Our friends came from St. Vincent’s, Gaskers, Gulch and Point La Haye
Path End, Cootes Point, Riverhead and over from Mall Bay
We had garden parties in the summer, concerts in the hall
Mummering at Christmas was always fun for all

We didn’t have electricity, running water or a phone
But you could never miss what you never had, it was our home sweet home
Then in sixty-one we had our turn, the powerlines came our way
Soon electric lights were shining bright on our side of the bay

Also the next fall we could make the call, the telephones were here
We could speak to relatives and friends both far away and near
And now we’re in our twilight years more time to reminisce
For those who left us early we really sure do miss

I know they are up there looking down from that eternal shore
Knowing that it won’t be long until we meet once more
And when we do there is one thing we will all agree
You couldn’t find a better place than St. Mary’s by the sea.

Ron Hogan
St. John's, NL