Merasheen Farewell

by Ernie Wilson

Come all good friends of mine and listen to my sad tale
Concerning of an island down in Placentia Bay
It was my home of childhood days my memory still does stray
To that little Isle of Merasheen down in Placentia Bay.

The people made their living on the land and on the sea
They all helped one another-it was their policy.
With their little gardens by their home, their boats moored to the pier
With a singsong in the evening around a keg of beer.

Sometime in December they turned out all the lights
They closed the doors on their happy homes they worked for all their lives.
It would break your heart to see them walk to the boat to go away
They bade farewell to Merasheen down in Placentia Bay.

No more they’ll watch the caplin as they wash upon the sand
The little fish they used for bait and to fertilize their land
No more they’ll watch their gardens grow or meadows full of hay
Or walk the road in their working clothes in the good old fashioned way.

The houses now are all closed up, the windows no more will rise
The doors will never open again to welcome you inside.
No more you’ll hear the sounds of laughter or songs we used to sing
Those days are gone forever and so is Merasheen.

I hope you’re settled down by now in your homes across the way
Although we’re separated we’ll meet again someday.
And from all of us who live far away and from our children
We thank you for those happy homes we had in Merasheen.