Unknown - I'se The B'y That Builds The Boat Lyrics

1. I'se the b'y that builds the boat,
And I'se the b'y that sails her.
I'se the b'y that catches the fish
And takes it home to Lizer.

(chorus)
Hip yer partner, Sally Tibbo.
Hip yer partner, Sally Brown.
Fogo, Twillingate, Mor'ton's Harbour,
All around the circle.

2. Sods and rinds to cover yer flake,
Cake and tea for supper,
Codfish in the spring of the year
Fried in maggoty butter.

3. I don't want your maggoty fish,
That's no good for winter.
I can buy as good as that
Down in Bonavista.

4.I took Liza to a dance
And faith but she could travel.
Ev'ry step that she did take
Was up to her knees in gravel.


Note:
- Fogo, Twillingate, Mor'ton's Harbour are small outports around Notre Dame Bay in Newfoundland.
- Some versions say "Sally Thibeau," same pronunciation.
- A "flake" is a platform made from small spruce trees and branches that salted cod was laid on to dry in the sun.

words & music: Traditional
copyright: Public domain
Sources: -Spirit of Singing, Wood Lake Books 1994
-Canadian Folk Songs for the Young
Douglas & McIntyre, Vancouver, 1975

[Thanks to djeastwood for correcting these lyrics]