Gideon Brown's Boat

My father's boat was second hand, one someone used before

And after every fishing trip, my father always swore

That someday he would save enough and go to St. John's town

And buy himself a big new boat, a boat like Gideon Brown's.

Gideon lived across the bay, he's getting older now

His boat was big and strong and bold, and had a stalwart bow

She could punch ahead in any storm and ride the fishing ground

I often though how proud I'd be in a boat like Gideon Brown's.

Then Confederation came about and the raise in old age pension

Dad said "Son, I'll save it, every cent, but this you must not mention

You save that baby bonus too, things just might turn around

And we could get enough to but a boat like Gideon Brown's".

Then Dad he had a heart attack, and the doctor said "Look Jim

The old man soon will pass away, you better speak with him

When I made my diagnosis and told him what I found

He looked at me and smiled and said, a boat like Gideon Brown's".

Then I sat and held his hand, he said "Jim, that policy

The insurance agent put your name, you're the beneficiary

And when I'm gone they'll pay you off, Jim go to St. John's town

And buy yourself a big new boat, a boat like Gideon Brown's".

She could punch ahead in any storm and ride the fishing ground

I often through how proud I'd be in a boat like Gideon Brown's.

                                                 - Frank Dwyer