CLIFFS OF BACCALIEU
Time signature: 4 / 4
Typically sung at a moderate steady rhythmic pace of about 115 bpm; the exceptions being Harry Hibbs and John White, who sang it faster. Played as a "reel" (sort-of), the tempo is roughly doubled to about 230 bpm. |
Music & Lyrics by Jack Withers
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Accordion Notation
Beats per bar = 4
Beat symbol = Dot ( . ) or equivalent Typical tempo: ~115 bpm |
Either row: Buttons 4 - 8*
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Verse 1 (of 6)
"4 "4* | .5 .7 ;7 "7* | .7* :6 "5 "4* | .4 .5 .6* .5* | .:5
We were bound home in Oc - to - ber / from the shores of Lab - ra - dor,
"7* "7 | ;8* "7 .7* .6 | .6* .6 .6* .5* | ::5~ | ~: .r
Tryin' to race a strong Nor' - eas - ter and snow too;
"4 "4* | .5 .7 ;7 "7* | .7* :6 "5 "4* | .4 .5 .6* .5* | .:5
But the wind swept down up - on us, / mak-ing day as dark as night,
"7* "7 | ;8* "7 ;7* "6 | .6* .5 "5* ;6* | ::6~ | ~: .r
Just be - fore we made it down to Bac - ca - lieu.
"4 "4* | .5 .7 ;7 "7* | .7* :6 "5 "4* | .4 .5 .6* .5* | .:5
We were bound home in Oc - to - ber / from the shores of Lab - ra - dor,
"7* "7 | ;8* "7 .7* .6 | .6* .6 .6* .5* | ::5~ | ~: .r
Tryin' to race a strong Nor' - eas - ter and snow too;
"4 "4* | .5 .7 ;7 "7* | .7* :6 "5 "4* | .4 .5 .6* .5* | .:5
But the wind swept down up - on us, / mak-ing day as dark as night,
"7* "7 | ;8* "7 ;7* "6 | .6* .5 "5* ;6* | ::6~ | ~: .r
Just be - fore we made it down to Bac - ca - lieu.
Embedded youTube VIDEOS
Key: D
Tempo: ~112 bpm Singer: Allison Crowe (2013) Posted by: Allison Crowe |
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Key: C
Tempo: ~226 bpm. Accordion player: Poss Slaney. Posted by: Newfieposs |
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Key: C
Tempo: ~110 bpm. Singer: ? Accordion player: ? Posted by: moosehunter |
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Key: G
Tempo: ~116 bpm. Group: Baccalieu Rovers Posted by: Gerard Broderick Dale Walsh on Guitar and Vocals with Jonathan Broderick on Accordion. |
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Key: Ab
Tempo: ~190 bpm. Accordion player: Harry Hibbs Posted by: Jennie & Josie |
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Key : B
Tempo: ~ 128 bpm. Group: Ryan's Fancy Posted by: quickaccent2006 |
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Key: A
Tempo: ~240 bpm Group: CodSkiff doing a familiar tune with Accordion player: Harold ? Posted by: codskiff04 |
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Key: D
Tempo: ~128 bpm Singer: Stan Rogers Posted by: CPSWard |
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Key: A
Tempo: ~187 bpm Singer: John White Posted by: oldirishladdie |
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Key: E from time 0 to 2:12
F from 2:13 to end of song Tempo: ~ bpm Singer: Louise Morrisey Posted by: oldirishladdie |
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BACKGROUND MATERIALS, INFORMATION & LINKS
Lyrics:
(A five-verse version) |
We were bound home in October, from the shores of Labrador,
Trying to race a strong nord-easter and snow too; When the wind swept down upon us, making day a dark as night, Just before we made the land at Baccalieu. Well, we tried to clear the island, as we brought her further to, But the wind from out the nord-east stronger blew; And our lookout soon he shouted, for there right dead ahead, Through the snow squalls loomed the cliffs of Baccalieu. And it was hard down with the tiller, as we struggled with the sheets, Tryin' our best to haul them in a foot or two; With our deck so sharply tilted, we could scarcely keep our feet, As we struggled off the cliffs of Baccalieu. For the combers beat her under, and I thought she'd never rise, And her main boom it was bending nigh in two; With her lee rail three foot under, yes and two hands at the wheel, We just kept her from the cliffs of Baccalieu. Yes, we hauled her to the southard, and her canvas stood the strain, And the blinding snow squalls from the nordeast blew; But our hearts were beatin' gladly, When no longer could we gaze Down to leeward at the cliffs of Baccalieu. All six original verses may be found in many sources, but two of my favorites are:
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Background Links:
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Click HERE for Wikipedia background information and lyrics. This opens in a separate window to make it easy to return to this site.
One of the finest performances of this song is by Anita Best, who, with the music of Bristol's Hope, captures its emotions (tension and relief), something missing in some of the other performances. Visit this site, which opens in a separate window, to hear Anita. It also contains the lyrics for the song, a fine performance by Alison Crowe, and links to a range of background information. |
Copyright:
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Copyright for this song is held by Morning Music Limited @1938.
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