LUKEY'S BOAT
Listen:
“Lukey's Boat”
John White with the Ray Walsh Band
More about John White with the Ray Walsh Band
John White
3 February 1930 - 31 May 1998
John White was born on February 3, 1930 on Flower Hill in St. John’s, the son of Irene and Daniel White; the first of 17 children, he grew up on Water Street and later moved to Patrick Street where he lived for most of his life.
In 1958 John received his first big break; a meeting with Joe Butler Sr. at VOCM studios on McBride’s Hill in St. John’s landed him on a weekly broadcast show titled ‘Shillelagh Showtime’ featuring Wilf Doyle And His Orchestra, leading to his debut album: VOCM's John White With Wilf Doyle And His Orchestra - Irish Folk Songs.
In 1960, John moved to ‘Saturday Night Jamboree’ where he performed regularly for ten years; in 1964 he landed the leading role for CBC Television’s variety show ‘All around the Circle.’ From 1975 to 1998, John performed across Canada and North America.
Mr. White passed away on May 31, 1998 at the age of 68; he has one daughter, Debbie (Green) who resides in St. John’s; at his request, he sang at his own funeral with the songs Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art, being played over a sound system at St. Patrick’s Church in St. John’s.
Discogs.com, https://www.discogs.com/artist/1936838-John-White-13
Ray Walsh
17 March 1943 - 27 January 2019
Ray Walsh was a teacher and school administrator, municipal councillor/mayor of his hometown, constant volunteer, senior hockey player, outdoorsman, hunter, salmon fisherman, and respected Newfoundland musician and recording artist. As a much-loved accordion player, he performed on stage, radio, and television across the province and beyond.
At an early age, Ray’s involvement as a cast member and performer, arranger and musician on CBC radio’s Saturday Night Jamboree and CBC television’s All Around the Circle and Come All Ye made him a household name across the province and country. Over a musical career spanning more than 55 years, Ray released three recordings of Newfoundland instrumental accordion and was proud of his five recordings with the Walsh Family Band.
A recipient of the NL Folk Arts Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award as well as the East Coast Music Association’s Stompin’ Tom Connors Award, Ray was always humble about his talents and musical accomplishments. Ray always stated his proudest moments on stage were when he performed with his family – which regularly included his brothers, daughters, and son, and most recently his grandchildren.
-Submitted by Greg Walsh
Person list
Words:
- Virtue Hann Kean
Tune:
- Traditional
Locations associated with this song:
Background Info:
Like many of Newfoundland's most popular ditties, Lukey's Boat may have begun its life as a fiddle tune or even a piece of mouth music -- step dance music meant to be hummed and "diddled" instead of being played on an instrument. According to tradition in Wesleyville, the words were written by a nineteenth century businesswoman, Virtue Hann Kean. On her books was a fisherman named Luke Gaulton, known locally as Lukey. To make sport of him she lightheartedly made up the song about him. He in turn made sport of her by singing:
'Twas Virtue Kean made up the song,
Right fa la, a diddle diddle die doe.
Virtue Kean made up the song,
She sleeps with the doctor all night long.
To me right fa diddle die day.
Incidentally her husband was Captain Job Kean, who was not a doctor!
Lyrics:
Aha, me b'ys,
O, Lukey's boat is painted green,
The prettiest little boat ever you seen.
Aha me riddle I day.
O, Lukey's boat got a fine fore cutty,
Aha, me b'ys,
O, Lukey's boat got a fine fore cutty,
And every seam is chinked with putty.
Aha me riddle I day.
Lukey's boat got a high stopped jib~,
Aha, me b'ys,
Lukey's boat got a high stopped jib,
And a patent block to her foremast head.
Aha me riddle I day.
"I think," said Lukey, "I'll make her bigger."
Aha, me b'ys,
"I think," said Lukey, "I'll make her bigger;
I'll load her down with a one-claw jigger."
Aha me riddle I day.
"And now," said Lukey, "get aboard your grub."
Aha~ me b'ys,
"And now," said Lukey, "get aboard your grub;
One split pea and a ten-pound tub."
Aha me riddle I day.
Lukey's rolling out his grub,
Aha, me b'ys,
Lukey's rolling out his grub,
A barrel and a bag and a ten-pound tub.
Aha me riddle I day.
When Lukey come around the Bill,
Aha, me b'ys,
When Lukey come around the Bill,
He spied his true love on the hill.
Aha me riddle I day.
And when he was coming around the cape,
Aha, me b'ys,
And when he was coming around the cape,
He spied old Jennie all on the flake.
Aha me riddle I day.
His wife was dead ...
Aha, me b'ys,
"O," said Lukey, "I don't care;
I'll have another in the spring of the year."
Aha me riddle I day.