Lyrics

Oh, all ye men of Grand Bank that sails over the harbor bar
Just pause and listen to these few lines, perhaps you’ll drop a tear
Tis of the schooner Tubal Cain of which no doubt you’ve heard
She sailed from Nova Scotia and was lost with all on board.

On the 12^th day of January the Tubal Cain made sail
She left the port of Halifax the wind being favourable
She sailed on Saturday morning bound eastward to Grand Bank
And was only in good ballast, with coal and hardwood plank.

The vessel was only three years old, her cargo was well secured
She was built and owned at Grand Bank, and had eight men on board
Four of them were single, but the saddest thing of all
The other four left widows, and sixteen children small. 

The days passed by and mothering was heard of the schooner Tubal Cain
Everyone felt anxious but hoped to see her again
When fourteen days had passed the owners received a wire
Saying Tubal Cain with all hands well, reported at Connoire.

The welcome news spread rapidly, you know the reason why
To know the Tubal Cain was safe, that made some weep for joy
Until after five more anxious days of wind and frost
There came another message saying, “The report was false!”

Most people felt all hope had fled, yet others couldn’t believe
That eight more men of Grand Bank had met a watery grave
We’ve had some heavy losses of men and vessels too
But no doubt this is the saddest, since eighteen ninety-two.

We sympathize with those that weep for the loved ones that are gone
And pray that in the future we’ll have no such cause to mourn
And when our vessels sail, our prayers will be
To Almighty God in Heaven for those in peril on the sea.

Where, when and how they came to grief, not one of us can say
God only knows their sufferings before they passed away.
But when our Captain calls the roll and the dead come forth again
No doubt we’ll know what happened to the ill-fated Tubal Cain.

“Collected from my aunt, Miss Maude Noseworthy of Grand Bank by my father, Mr. Ronald Noseworthy, also of Grand Bank. Received in letter from my father on March 30, 1966. Russell Noseworthy, Apr 20, 1966.” MUNFLA 66-13C

MUNFLA 78-36 p70: handwritten transcription provided by an unknown person, sent to Kenneth Peacock in response to newspaper request.