JOHNNY ENNIS:

Johnny was born in Merasheen and today lives in Tors Cove on the Southern Shore. Johnny was one of the strongest men in Merasheen and consequently a valuable man in a trap crew. He married Lizzy Green from the Harbour Islands and they raised their family in Little Merasheen. They were a family who enjoyed a good time and some of the best times in Merasheen were held in their home. All of the songs in this book were certainly sung many a time at Johnny Ennis’.

PADDY GREEN:

Paddy Green came to Merasheen from the Harbour Islands and fished with Jack Ennis, Bill Pittman, and some other crews in Merasheen. He married Anna Connors, a Merasheen girl. Before coming to Merasheen, Paddy Green was the mail carrier in the bottom part of Placentia Bay, and consequently a well-known individual.

 Morrissey and the Russian

(Paddy Ennis did a great job on this one at the many parties down to his place)

Ye rambling sons of Erin attention now I'll crave
While l relate the phrases of an Irish hero brave
Concerning a great fight me boys all on the other day
Between a Russian sailor boy and bold Jack Morrissey.

It was down in Terra Del Fuego in South America
The Russian challenged Morrissey and this to him did say
I hear that you are a fighting man and wear a belt I see
What will you say, will you consent, for to have a round with me.

Then up speaks bold Jack Morrissey with a heart so brave and true
Saying “I'm a gallant Irish man who never was subdued
Sure l can fight a Yankee, a Saxon bull or bear
In the honour of Old Paddy's Land l still these laurels wear".

The words enraged the Russian upon this foreign land
To think that he could be put down by an Irish man
He said you are to light with me if it makes no mistake
I'll either have you resign your belt or else your life I'll take.

To light upon the tenth of June those heroes did agree
And thousands came from every port the battle for to see
The English and the Russians, their hearts were filled with glee
They swore the Russian sailor boy would kill Jack Morrissey.

They both stripped off, stepped in the ring, commencing for to tight
It tilled each Irish heart with joy for to behold the sight
The Russian he floored Morrissey up to the eleventh round
While English. Saxon and Russian cheers the valley did resound.

A minute and a hall our hero lay before he was able to rise
The news went all around the field his death was all their cry
But Morrissey rose manfully and rising from the ground
From that until the twentieth the Russian he put down.

Up to the twenty-seventh round it was fall and fall about
Which made our burley Irish boy to keep a sharp look out
The Russian called his second and asked for a glass of wine
Our Irish hero smiled and said the battle will be mine

The twenty-eighth decided all the Russians felt quite smart
But Morrissey threw a tearful blow which struck him over the heart
A doctor he was called upon to open up a vein
He said it is quite useless for he‘ll never light again.

Our hero conquered Thompson, the Yankee clipper too
The Venetian boy and whipper he nobly did subdue
So let us fill a flowing bowl and drink a health galore
To the honour of Jack Morrissey and Paddy ever more.