AB BEST:

Ab was the father of the Best’s that most of us know i.e. Fred, Clev, Vic, Billy, Mac and Tom and a man well known himself to the older generation. The Bests were one of the first people in Merasheen to become involved in the trap fishery. Prior to that they had their own boats, one of which was the Nellie Grey. When the name was painted on the Nellie Grey, the painter painted it on from the deck, leaning over the stern. Mr. B. Best took her in to St Johns and when tied up to the wharf, the "corner boys" would stand on the wharf and say, "Nellie Grey Arse Up", "Nellie Grey Arse Up". Mr. B. didn’t know what they meant and paid them no mind, but when they left he leaned over the stern to have a look, and sure enough, there was the Nellie Grey, Arse-Up. He often told this story himself afterwards. All of the Bests were fishermen and good hands on a party since they were great singers with a good sense of humor. A song sung by Vic and also by his niece, Lillian, was "Black Eyed Susan".

Black-Eyed Susan

(Vic or Lillian could usually be counted on to sing this Song)

All in the Downs the fleet lay moored, the streamers waving in the wind,
When Black-eyed Susan came on board, “O where shall l my true love find?
Tell me ye jovial sailors, come tell me true,
If my sweet William, if my sweet William sails among your crew.

William was high upon the yard, rocked by the billows to and fro,
Soon as her well known voice he heard, he sighed and cast his eyes below.
The cord slides swiftly, through his glowing hands,
And quick as lightning, and as quick as lightning on the deck he stands.

So the sweet lark high poised in the air, shuts close his pinions to his breast,
In chance his mates shrill call he hears, and jumps at once into her nest;
The noblest captain in the British fleet,
Might envy William's, might envy William's lips those kisses sweet.

Oh Susan, Susan lovely dear, my vows shall ever true remain, 
Let me kiss off that falling tear, we only part to meet again;
Change as ye list ye winds, my heart shall be,
The faithful compass, the faithful compass that still points to thee.

Believe not what the landsmen say, who tempt with doubt thy constant mind,
They say that sailors when away, in every port a sweetheart find;
Yes, yes believe me when l tell thee so,
For thou art present, thou art present where so ere l go.

If to fair India’s coast we sail, thine eyes are seen in diamonds bright,
Thy breath in Africa’s spicy gale, thy skin like ivory so white;
Thus every beauteous object that l view,
Wakes in my soul, wakes in my soul some charm of lovely Sue.

Though battle calls me from thy arms, let not my pretty Susan mourn,
Though cannons roar, yet safe from harm, William shall to his dear return;
Love turns aside the balls that ‘round me fly,
Lest precious tears, lest precious tears should drop from Susan's eyes.

The boatswain gave the dreadful word, the sails their swelling bosoms spread,
No longer must she stay on board, they kissed, she sighed, he hung his head;
Her listing boat unwilling rows to land,
"Adieu she cried, adieu she cried, and waved her lily hand.