Southern Cross (folk song)
Encyclopedia
The song Southern Cross is a traditional Newfoundland
folk ballad
describing the loss of the Southern Cross on the south coast of Newfoundland with 173 men on onboard.
To try her fortune in the Gulf in charge of Captain Clark
.
She carried a hundred and seventy men, a strong and vigorous race,
Some from St. John's
and Brigus
, and some more from Harbour Grace
.
She reached the Gulf in early March, the white-coats for to slew,
When seventeen thousand prime young harps
killed by her hardy crew,
All panned and safely stowed below, with colours waving gay,
The Southern Cross she leaved the ice, bound up for home that day.
She passed near Channel
homeward bound, as news came out next day,
To say a steamer from the Gulf she noe is on her way.
"No doubt it is the Southern Cross, "the operator said,
"And looking to have a bumper trip, and well down by the head."
The last of March the storm came on with blinding snow and sleet;
The Portia, bound for western ports, the Southern Cross did meet;
When Captain Connors from the bridge he saw the ship that day,
And thinking she would shelter up in St. Mary's Bay
.
St. Mary's Bay she never reached, as news came out next morn.
She must have been all night at sea, out in that dreadful storm.
No word came from the Southern Cross now twenty days or more;
To say she reached a harbour around the western shore.
The SS Kyle
was soon dispatched to search the ocean round,
But no sign of the missing ship could anywhere be found.
She searched Cape Race
and every place until she reached Cape Pine
,
But of the ship or wrecking the captain saw no sign.
The Southern Cross out twenty days, she now is overdue;
We hope, please God, she'll soon arrive and all her hearty crew,
But put your trust in Providence
and trust to Him on high
To send the Southern Cross safe home and fill sad hearts with joy.
All things do happen for the best, but if they're called away,
The brave lads on the Southern Cross out in the storm that day,
We trust they reach the heavenly and rest with Him on high,
Where cares and sorrows are no more, but all is peace and joy.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
folk ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
describing the loss of the Southern Cross on the south coast of Newfoundland with 173 men on onboard.
Lyrics
She got up the steam twelfth day of March and shortly did embark.To try her fortune in the Gulf in charge of Captain Clark
George Clarke
George Clarke , the son of Sir William Clarke, enrolled at Brasenose College, Oxford in 1676. He was elected a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford in 1680. He became Judge Advocate to the Army and was William III of England's Secretary at War from 1690 to 1704...
.
She carried a hundred and seventy men, a strong and vigorous race,
Some from St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
and Brigus
Brigus, Newfoundland and Labrador
Brigus is a small fishing community located in Conception Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Brigus was home to Captain Bob Bartlett and the location of his residence Hawthorne Cottage....
, and some more from Harbour Grace
Harbour Grace, Newfoundland and Labrador
Harbour Grace is a town in Conception Bay on the Avalon Peninsula in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. With roots dating back to the sixteenth century, it is one of the oldest towns in North America. It is located about 45 km northwest of the provincial capital, St. John's...
.
She reached the Gulf in early March, the white-coats for to slew,
When seventeen thousand prime young harps
Harp Seal
The harp seal or saddleback seal is a species of earless seal native to the northernmost Atlantic Ocean and adjacent parts of the Arctic Ocean. It now belongs to the monotypic genus Pagophilus. Its scientific name, Pagophilus groenlandicus, means "ice-lover from Greenland", and its synonym, Phoca...
killed by her hardy crew,
All panned and safely stowed below, with colours waving gay,
The Southern Cross she leaved the ice, bound up for home that day.
She passed near Channel
Channel-Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador
Channel-Port aux Basques is a town at the extreme southwestern tip of the island of Newfoundland fronting on the eastern end of the Cabot Strait. A Marine Atlantic ferry terminal is located in the town which is the primary entry point onto the island of Newfoundland and the western terminus of...
homeward bound, as news came out next day,
To say a steamer from the Gulf she noe is on her way.
"No doubt it is the Southern Cross, "the operator said,
"And looking to have a bumper trip, and well down by the head."
The last of March the storm came on with blinding snow and sleet;
The Portia, bound for western ports, the Southern Cross did meet;
When Captain Connors from the bridge he saw the ship that day,
And thinking she would shelter up in St. Mary's Bay
St. Mary's Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
- St. Mary's Bay :St. Mary's Bay is one of many bays in Newfoundland, where bay is taken as a regional subdivision, somewhat along the lines of county divisions...
.
St. Mary's Bay she never reached, as news came out next morn.
She must have been all night at sea, out in that dreadful storm.
No word came from the Southern Cross now twenty days or more;
To say she reached a harbour around the western shore.
The SS Kyle
SS Kyle
The SS Kyle is a 220 foot sailing vessel that is currently couched in the harbour of the Town of Harbour Grace, Newfoundland and Labrador. It ran ashore in February of 1967 and has remained in that state since...
was soon dispatched to search the ocean round,
But no sign of the missing ship could anywhere be found.
She searched Cape Race
Cape Race
Cape Race is a point of land located at the southeastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland, Canada. Its name is thought to come from the original Portuguese name for this cape, "Raso", or "bare"...
and every place until she reached Cape Pine
Cape Pine
The Headland of Cape Pine is the point of land marking the boundary of Trepassey Bay on the Avalon Peninsula of the island of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador....
,
But of the ship or wrecking the captain saw no sign.
The Southern Cross out twenty days, she now is overdue;
We hope, please God, she'll soon arrive and all her hearty crew,
But put your trust in Providence
Divine Providence
In Christian theology, divine providence, or simply providence, is God's activity in the world. " Providence" is also used as a title of God exercising His providence, and then the word are usually capitalized...
and trust to Him on high
To send the Southern Cross safe home and fill sad hearts with joy.
All things do happen for the best, but if they're called away,
The brave lads on the Southern Cross out in the storm that day,
We trust they reach the heavenly and rest with Him on high,
Where cares and sorrows are no more, but all is peace and joy.