To everyone in Port aux Basques: If you have any TV recordings on VHS from the 1980s, send me a message. I'm also interested in any CFGN recordings made prior to 1996.
Around this time CN was abandoning thousands of miles of trackage, crippling industries in small town Canada. Many industries depended on rail service to be able to make a profit.
MV Caribou, a ferry grand, Sailed the waves with a steady hand, Connecting islands, coast to coast, A faithful vessel, loved the most. Named in honor of a ship that fell, The SS Caribou, a tale of hell, Sunk by a U-boat, in '42, A tragedy that still echoes through. MV Caribou, a new chapter begun, Carrying passengers, one by one, Withstanding storms and heavy seas, Guiding us to our destinations with ease. Years passed by, the ferry sailed on, Till one day, the journey was done, Retired and sent to be salvaged, Leaving us with memories, cherished. Though the ship may be gone, Our hearts still hold on, To the MV Caribou, A ferry that sailed true.
Song Written by Gregg J Pearce Recorded years later in 2008 at the Port Club, Breakwater Music Recording Studio. Vocals: Gregg J Pearce, Backing Vocals Corey Anderson, Guitar Barry Musseau, Bass S. Brock Seaward, Drums Max Piercey, Button Accordion Max Piercey, Recording Engineer, Johnny Sheaves Jr. Song was written on the PaB Jr Gulls Hockey bus during a road trip to Buchans, NL sometime in the 1970's. Recorded 2008 in conjunction with the Port aux Basques Bid for Kraft Hockeyville. CBC used this song with permission and was aired numerous times including the Hockey Night in Canada and introduced by Ron McClean.
I remember the mummers coming in my Nan’s. No liquor in her house. A bit of Purity syrup, or a bit if “drink” (cola). I’m sure they were just my relatives. I can’t remember now. It was 40 years ago!
These videos make me cry every time I watch one. I remember my family and culture intact. The days of old…went too quickly for me. Too much change. I guess, never being able to live there ever again, makes this hurt .
I love the old, unspoiled accent of my childhood. So nice to hear. The old people sounds like my people. Makes me miss my grandparents. I’m 50…not a youngin, but I miss it so much.
At 10:58, picture taken from Georgetown Rd in Corner Brook with Hilliards Rd in the background. I grew up on Georgetown Rd and watched many a freight train pass by this location. Sadly most of the railbed on that curve has been washed away and the Petries overpass just a few hundred feet down the line beyond this pic has been removed as well.
I can never thank Sim enough for his contribution to Newfoundland music and connecting us who live elsewhere in Canada with the culture through thoughts and feelings expressed and felt by Newfoundlanders !
