Memories Remain

by Ronald Pitcher Sr.

I promised you some memories, when I wrote my last song
About the life in Merasheen, it won’t delay you long
With many reunions now gone past, and the time to reminisce
About those bygone carefree years of sorrow and happiness

The thirty’s they were depression years, when times were really bad
Our parents strived to care for us, and give us all they had
The forty’s then improved our lot, the Americans came our way
And many men went to work for them, across Placentia Bay

In later years our lives improved, as Canadians we became
With pensions and family allowances, and Joey a household name
The flour bag shirts were threw away, new footwear looked so grand
And slacks and jeans were common things to be in great demand

The sixty’s became uncertain, with the fishery only fair
And talks of centralization was rampant everywhere
The lights came on in sixty-five, which seemed life to stabilize
Later came forth a decision, and a vote to centralize

Now that we have settled in our homes across the bay
Our thoughts and memories of childhood are priceless I would say
Remembering those precious times, with friends we love so dear
For life without a memory, is like a boat you cannot steer

I’d like to live my life again; these words may now seem bold
For I am counting eighty, and that means getting old
But as life goes on and treats me well, the last thing I will say...
You only pass this way once, so live it while you may
Yes, you only pass this way once, so live it while you may.