Bernard Canning:

Bernard Canning of Deep Cove, Presque, came to Merasheen approximately seventy years ago and married Liz Pomroy. Theirs was the first family of Cannings in Merasheen, and together they raised nine children - four girls and five boys. When only sixteen years of age, Bernard took over as skipper of a Cape St Mary's boat when his father became ill. During this time, an American ship, delivering the mail, came along side and an officer asked to see the skipper. He was sent down aft, but upon seeing only Bernard down there, came back and said. “There’s no one down there except the cabin boy". Upon learning that this was indeed the skipper, he hastened back to shake his hand and congratulate him.

His son. Bill, who is now seventy-five years old, was skipper of a deep sea trawler out of Boston until 1979, and was last year, the oldest skipper fishing the North Atlantic out of Boston. His son, Paddy, is well known to all of us, having served as a member of the House of Assembly for more years than any other politician in the History of NL since Confederation. Two of Bernard's daughters, Lucy (Sister Mary Regina) and Millie (Sister Mary Lawrence), joined the convent and served in the Franciscan order. In looking back, Bernard Canning and Liz made a contribution to society that is indeed a tribute to both of them.

The Bonnie Labouring Boy

(This song was sung by Joe Casey)

As l roved out one evening all in the blooming spring,
I spied a lovely maiden most grevious did she sing,
How cruel been my parents they did me so deny,
And they would not let me marry my bonnie labouring boy.

My father thought to have me wed unto some lord or peer,
I being their only heiress of five thousand pounds a year,
I fixed my love on one true love he being my pride and joy,
This nation I Will ramble with my bonnie labouring boy.

Johnny being my true love's name as you may plainly see,
My father had employed him his labouring boy to be,
For to plough and sow to reap and mow and to work my father’s land,
It was soon l fell in love with him as you may understand.

His eyes are like the diamonds his cheeks are like the rose,
He's manly neat and handsome wherever that he goes,
He's manly neat and handsome his skin as white as snow,
In spite of parents molest with my labouring boy I'll go.

For three long years we courted but little did l know,
That my cruel aged parents would prove my overthrow,
They watched us late one evening all in some shady grove,
Pledging our vows together in the constant bonds of love.

My father he stepped up to me and he took me by the hand,
And he swore that he’d send Johnny unto some foreign land,
They locked me in my bedroom my comforts to deny,
And they would not let me marry my bonnie labouring boy.

My mother came next morning and unto me did say,
“Your father is intended to appoint your wedding day,"
I nobly made her answer "with him I'll never comply,
It's a single maid l will remain for my bonnie labouring boy."

Come fill your glasses to the brim let the toast go merrily round,
Drink a health to every labouring boy who works and ploughs the land,
And when their work is over to their homes they'll go with joy,
And happy is the girl who gets her bonnie labouring boy.