Old Miller Sands
(Words by: J. J. Corcoran (melody: traditional) – Performed by: Willapa Hills – Song Notes
Willapa Hills
LYRICS
On Newfoiundland’s banks for codfish I wrangled
Around Georgia I weathered many a gale
For the walrus and seal to the arctic I rambled
And scoured the ocean in search of a whale.
I fished for the sardine off the capes of Malaga
Wrestled for snapper off Austrian sands
But now I am fishing for bold Barney Gallagher
Seining for salmon on Old Miller Sands.
Now then shake yourselves boys and let’s have no gaming
We’ll lay out the seine with our hearts and our hands
We’ll capture the steelhead, the sturgeon, and salmon
That frequent the waters ’round Old Miller Sands
When I first struck the sands I was surely dumbfounded
To find myself out in the midst of the tide
Aboard of a scow as the waters surrounded
Said I to myself, I am surely Shanghaied.
I thought that old Barney had fed me some blarney
In order to send me to some distant land
When the tide was ebbing then honest old Barney
Revealed to my vision Old Miller Sands.
CHORUS
In history you’ll hear how a terrible battle
Was fought on the sands, ’twas a great battlefield
For Miller was stormed by an angry old faction
But the great boys of Elliott’s never would yield.
Well the brave sand fishermen leapt into action
Corking each other with guns in their hands
They stood their ground as the shots round them rattled
And fought out the battle of Old Miller Sands
CHORUS
The boys are all happy now busy a-seining
There’s peace on the sands not a sign of a row
There’s a fair run of fish not a soul is complaining
Not even the man in the old whiskey scow
When the season is over we’ll fill up out glasses
To Barney we’ll drink of the choicest of brands
And after we’ll think as the long winter passes
Of the Barbary Ccoast and Old Miller Sands
NOTES
- Song by J.J. Corcoran (traditional melody)
- Performed on CD by Willapa Hills