MARY GARVEY has always loved maritime music, especially since living in Newfoundland in the mid-70s. She says, "I grew up on the Columbia River, where my father was originally a rural postman, so we used to go on drives to the most beautiful places, deserted villages all built on stilts, etc. My father and his friend also had a salmon smoking operation when I was very young, so I did visit the smokeries, canneries and docks. I have always loved the Columbia River and its tributaries."
She has never been a fisherwoman, but has worked in fisheries research at the University of Newfoundland and worked in the School of Fisheries at the University of Washington, doing graduate admission work. She has participated in various musical events over the years, including song circles, music camps, festivals…she says, "When I retire in a few years I will just go from one to the next."
She has written a number of songs with maritime and fishing themes, and is starting to pariticpate in and/or produce CDs that speak to those themes. She helped Maritime Folknet with cds focusing on tugboats and the Columbia Bar, and has a CD out that is a tribute to cannery and other fishery workers. She adds, "I try to keep the price low so more people can enjoy the compilations of various singers, usually $5 without a cover and $10 with a regular case."
She has never been a fisherwoman, but has worked in fisheries research at the University of Newfoundland and worked in the School of Fisheries at the University of Washington, doing graduate admission work. She has participated in various musical events over the years, including song circles, music camps, festivals…she says, "When I retire in a few years I will just go from one to the next."
She has written a number of songs with maritime and fishing themes, and is starting to pariticpate in and/or produce CDs that speak to those themes. She helped Maritime Folknet with cds focusing on tugboats and the Columbia Bar, and has a CD out that is a tribute to cannery and other fishery workers. She adds, "I try to keep the price low so more people can enjoy the compilations of various singers, usually $5 without a cover and $10 with a regular case."
AUDIO
VIDEO
This video was the inspiration for Mary Garvey's Tsunami Debris Song.
WRITINGS
Tsunami Song
(Tune: Boys of Killibegs by Tommy Makem)
Fishing's in our blood but now our boats are filled with mud
And our docks are smashed and scattered far and wide
And our nets and floats and gear are taken far from here
And they drift upon the ocean and the tide
Island folk are we who make our living from the sea
But we know too well the shaking of the ground
I jumped into my boat though fear was in my throat
And I passed by many men I knew would drown
For the island to be saved I had to head into that wave
I just did what any fisherman would do
20 meters high and it blotted out the sky
And I had to just hold on and plough on through
You across the seas who gather our debris
Do you hear our cries above the ocean’s roar
And as our ships wash in do you think of all those men
Who will have fishing in their blood forevermore
_____________________
Seaview Bells
Back and forth the cowbells ring onward swings the light
Hoping that our signals bring our husbands home tonight
The Seaview bells are ringing as they do in storm and gale
Ringing for the safe return of every lonesome sail.
I recollect my marriage day the day I was a bride
The vows I made that wed me to the turn of every tide
The wind can blow him east and west likewise north and south
And what a time he has to find the river’s angry mouth
I leave the children in their cribs hungry and unfed
The cows loose in the pasture the chickens on the shed
The wind is roaring breaking off the branches of the trees
I struggle up the hill and face the thunder of the seas
I ring until my hand is numb and every muscle aches
I’ll ring until his time has come whatever form it takes
I’ll ring to send him courage to face the ocean’s swell
I’ll ring until I know I hear the answer of his bell
It’s true I live in Seaview and I’m called Eliza Jane
When the storms blow in their fury my duty is so plain
I’ll hitch up my woolen petticoats and climb the hill again
And join the other womenfolk in calling home their men
Based on a true story in the Chinook Observer several years ago.
_____________________
Loss of the Lady Cecilia
I wished I lived in Phoenix or some hot and dusty town
Where the ocean did not roar at night and no one had to drown
Where fish were raised in fish tanks as fish were meant to be
And no one had to risk their lives by going out to sea
Where lost at sea meant nothing but a quaint and empty phrase
And not a search and rescue that goes on and on for days
You walk the beach at sunrise in case something should wash in
You've done this several times before and know you will again
You go to your reunion and something is amiss
You say there are some young men gone I never got to kiss
I never got to tell them just what they meant to me
I never got to beg them stay home stay home from sea
As you eat your fish and chips your sushi or your taco
Think on how that fish was caught by someone from Ilwaco
Or Cannon Beach or Warrenton McGowan or Chinook
The very fish you're eating was the last one on his hook
So here's to the Cecilia and her brave and gentle crew
And mostly to Luke Jensen he’s the only one I knew
This was their joy and calling and the sea was their delight
But the whole town is in mourning since their ship went down that night
(based on article in Chinook Observer and conversation with server at Castaway in Long Beach)
_____________________
Crab Shaker
I have been a crab shaker all of my life
A crab shaking teenager crab shaking wife
I got me a pick and I got me a knife
I’ve been a crab shaker all of my life
When a crab shaking woman meets a crab shaking man
They’re going to have babies just as fast as they can
Feed them on crab cakes fried up in a pan
When a crab shaking woman meets a crab shaking man
Shake it shake it momma till the job is complete
Shake them right down to their little crab feet
Take up your pick and get out the meat
Shake it shake it momma till the job is complete
You know you’ve been shaking just a little too long
When one arm is weak and the other is strong
And the boss lady says you’ve been shaking it wrong
You know you’ve been shaking just a little too long
You say boss lady I can’t take it no more
My hands are all wrecked and my back is all sore
I’ll get me a job in a grocery store
You say boss lady I can’t take it no more
If you want to see a crab shaker take a good look
You won’t read about us in a history book
But you’ll see us in Westport see us in Chinook
If you want to see a crab shaker take a good look
