"Homeward Bound"
('Baccy and Rum, Bound for St. Peters)
Capstan Shanty, Dmaj, .
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Playing or Personal Notes:
No personal notes.
History
The Fiddler's Companion lists two tunes by this name, but neither is likely to be this one.
HOMEWARD BOUND [1]. Canadian, Reel. Canada, Prince Edward Island. D Major. Standard tuning. AA'BB'. Ken Perlman, who researched fiddling styles on Prince Edward Island, notes that this reel is frequently heard played in the eastern half of the Island (where it was known as one of the ‘good old tunes’) but believes that it was originally from the Canadian Maritime Provinces, though it bears a strong resemblance to the tune "Gem of Ireland" in Ryan’s Mammoth/Cole's 1000. On PEI it is often heard in a medley with “Jerome’s Farewell to Gibralter.” Paul Cranford (1994) states that “Homeward Bound” is derivative of the “Gem” tune which he identifies as a 19th-century Irish reel. It has been recorded by Cape Breton fiddler Dan R. MacDonald (78 RPM), and more recently by Cape Breton harmonica player Tommy Basker. Sources for notated versions: Angus McPhee (Mt. Stewart, P.E.I.) [Ken Perlman/Fiddler Magazine]; Peter Chaison Jr. (B. 1942, Bear River, North-East Kings County, PEI) [Perlman]; fiddler Brenda Stubbert (b. 1959, Point Aconi, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia) [Cranford]; Rory MacDonald (Cape Breton) [MacQuarrie]. Cranford (Brenda Stubbert’s), 1994; No. 48, pg. 17. Fiddler Magazine, Spring 1995; pg. 11. MacQuarrie (Cape Breton Collection), 1940. Perlman (The Fiddle Music of Prince Edward Island), 1996; pg. 69. Atlantica Music 02 77657 50222 26, Brenda Stubbert - “Atlantic Fiddles” (1994). Stubbert Music 1, Brenda Stubbert - “House Sessions” (1992). Marimac Recordings, "The Old Time Fiddlers of Prince Edward Island" (1993). RC2000, George Wilson – “Royal Circus” (2000). Rounder CD7014, Leonard McDonald – “Fiddlers of Western Prince Edward Island” (1997).
HOMEWARD BOUND [2]. Irish, March (4/4 time). G Major. Standard tuning. AB. O’Neill (1922) says: “This spirited march was memorized by the writer in early life; all circumstances relating to its acquirement being now forgotten. We have no assurance of its Gaelic origin, yet few would deny that it was worth preserving at least. For obvious reasons, a name has been supplied for its identification.” O’Neill (Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody), 1922; No. 53.
T:Homeward Bound (#53) M:4/4 L:1/8 S:Capt. F. O'Neill Z:Paul Kinder R:March K:G BA|G2 GG G2 Bc|d2 dd d2 ba|g2 d2 cBcd|e2 A2 A2 BA| G2 GG G2 Bc|d2 dd d2 ba|g2 d2 edcA|B2 G2 G2|| Bc|d2 g2 gfga|g2 d2 d2 Bd|e2 a2 agab|a2 e2 e2 fe| d2 g2 gfga|babc' d'3 c'|bd'bg (3abc' af|g2 gg g2||
This variant recorded by Jim Payne and Fergus O'Byrne (Wave Over Wave - 1997 East Coast Music Awards Roots/Traditional Artist nominee).
A short two-verse variant was published as Homeward Bound in Gerald S. Doyle's Old-Time Songs And Poetry Of Newfoundland: Songs Of The People From The Days Of Our Forefathers (Second edition, p.63, 1940; Third edition, p.29, 1955).
Also published on p.32 of Songs Of Newfoundland, a complimentary booklet of lyrics to twenty-one songs distributed by the Bennett Brewing Co. Ltd., of St. John's, NL, with the cooperation of the Gerald S. Doyle Song Book.
Note: From 1714 to 1764, the island of St. Pierre, Miquelon was an English possession. During that time, the name was anglicized to St. Peters, a name passed on by generations of Newfoundlanders.
(wdm)Also collected by Greenleaf and Mansfield and published in "Ballads and Sea Songs of Newfoundland" (Harvard University Press, 1933).
Bound for St. Peters We're bound for St. Peters for baccy and rum. (Goodbye, fare ye well, goodbye, fare ye well.) We're bound for St. Peters for baccy and rum. (Hurrah, me boys, we're homeward bound.) And when we are hauling up to the dock, (Goodbye, fare ye well, goodbye, fare ye well.) All the girls and the boys around us will flock. (Hurrah, me boys, we're homeward bound.) And one to the other you'll hear them all say, (Goodbye, fare ye well, goodbye, fare ye well.) "Here comes jolly Jack and his eighteen months pay." (Hurrah, me boys, we're homeward bound.) And when we are landed, we'll jump all ashore, (Goodbye, fare ye well, goodbye, fare ye well.) And head for the tavern, we'll walk in that door. (Hurrah, me boys, we're homeward bound.) The landlord will greet us, his face all a smile, (Goodbye, fare ye well, goodbye, fare ye well.) Saying, "Drink up, ye sailors, it's worth all your while." (Hurrah, me boys, we're homeward bound.) But quickly his smile will turn into a frown. (Goodbye, fare ye well, goodbye, fare ye well.) There's poor jolly Jack with his money all gone. (Hurrah, me boys, we're homeward bound.) He'll then throw us out and the door he will lock. (Goodbye, fare ye well, goodbye, fare ye well.) Our pockets all empty, we'll head back to dock. (Hurrah, me boys, we're homeward bound.) So 'tis out we are bound and 'tis out we must go. (Goodbye, fare ye well, goodbye, fare ye well.) 'Tis out we are bound and we cannot say no. (Hurrah, me boys, we're homeward bound.)