Branch Come Home Year

August 9-19, 2007

A Song About The L.I.P

Submitted by: Elaine McGrath

Authors Unknown

 

This song was written by a group of fish plant workers who upon closing of the Blue Ocean Fish Plant gained employment on a Federal Government Local Initiative Program

   

It was a very dreamy day in the springtime of the year

with our knives and steels and rubber boots to the fish plant we did tear

Our hearts were filled with happiness, our spirits they did soar

It didn't last very long, Blue Ocean locked the door

We then put up our picket lines and firmly took our stand

Hannah Corcoran phoned John Crosbie who was at our command

He said "my friends I'll do my best" his hand upon his hip

and less than three weeks later we started on our L.I.P

With picks and shovels in our hands, a knapsack on our backs

We headed for the graveyard to work up on the knap

We worked away from dawn ‘til dusk, our money for to get

To work out in the freezing rain is one thing I'll regret

With care and dedication we set about our task

and worked like dogs ‘til break time came, our backs they wouldn't last

Roy and Larry kept the fire and put the kettle on

And everyone sat around with mugs and wished the day was gone

We painted up the fences and raked up all around

We gruffed and shovelled all day along ‘til no dirt could be found

When our days work was over and we were walking down the lane

We prayed to God to give us strength to walk back up again

Now our job is over and we all have our stamps

We can't forgive Blue Ocean, who closed down the fish plant

If not for Mr. Crosbie, our stamps we would not get

Now here’s, "Adieu" to all our crew

who worked upon the L.I.P.