THE BRASS BUTTON MAN

Listen:
“The Brass Button Man”
Heather and Eric
From the album Let’s Sing a Song – Songs for Children of All Ages .
Available from Vinland Music
Listen:
“The Brass Button Man”
Lomond Sound

From the album Lomond Sound Live, 2012, orderable from Soundbone.

Person list

Words and tune:

  • Eric West

Locations associated with this song:

Background info:

Eric West wrote The Brass Button Man based on a story that his Uncle Art Wellon from Ladle Cove told him about a legendary ghost that dwelled on Duck Island, Notre Dame Bay, about 8 km from the community. He wrote the song while returning from a trip to the Island in 1990. The song was recorded by the duo Heather and Eric on their album Creatures at Home in the Sea (1990) and is also included in their compilation CD/songbook Let’s Sing a Song (2008), published by Vinland Music.
Eric West, Let's Sing a Song...Songs for children of all ages
© Vinland Music. used with permission.

Lyrics:

THE BRASS BUTTON MAN - by Eric West

1.
One evening last July, I won't tell you any lie,
I was fishin' off Duck Island for a spell;
I jigged a load of fish, and a bucket full of squid,
And I thought that everything was going well.

2.
I was steaming in the tickle with my load of fish to pickle,
When I saw a figure standing by a shack;
On his coat was shiny brass, and he held a captain's glass,
And he carried a load of crunnicks on his back.
(And I heard him say:)

Chorus:
"I'm the Brass Button Man and I'll catch you if I can,
I'll chase you up and down the rocky shore,
And if you're not so quick I will trip you with my stick,
So you won't be on my island anymore."

3.
Now as you might suppose
I took fright and nearly froze,
And I headed out the harbour right away;
But when I looked around
Nowhere could he be found,
And I haven't seen him to this very day.
(But I’ve heard him say:)

Chorus

4.
Now if you're on Duck Isle
And you're stayin' for awhile
Be sure to keep your doors locked in the night;
And if you hear strange sounds
Don't go out to look around
'Cause if you do you're bound to get a fright.
(You might hear something say:)

Chorus

from Let's Sing a Song...Songs for children of all ages
© Vinland Music. Used with permission.

See lyrics on a page by themselves