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The Lumberman's Alphabet ( The Axe Handle Song )

from Depends Upon The Pay Traditional Miramichi and New Brunswick Folk Songs by Mike Bravener

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about

This song is found in many variations throughout the America's. Wilmot MacDonald was a fan favourite at the Miramichi Folksong Festival and would open the festival with his version. I adapted it slightly.

lyrics

A is for axes and that you know; B is the boys that can use them also.
C is for chopping which now has began; D is for danger we do stand in.
Chorus:
How merry are we No mortal on earth is as happy are we.
Tell me hi derry, ho derry, hi derry down,
Give the shanty boys whiskey and nothing goes wrong.
E for the echo that rings through the woods, And F for the foreman, the bosses the job.
G of the grindstone we grind our axe on And H for the handle, so smooth wore around.
How Merry are we.....
I for the iron we mark at our pine, And J for the joble that’s always inclined.
K for keen edges we all have to sleep, And L for the lice that o’er our shirts creep.
How Merry Are we....
M for the moss that we stog in our camp, N for the needle to sew up my pants.
O for the owl that screeches by night; and P for the tall pine that we do slay right.
How Merry....
Well, Q for the quarreling we don’t allow, R for the river where we make our bow.
S for the sleds so stout and so strong, T for the big teams that haul them along.
How Merry are we....
U for the uses we put ourselves to, V for the valley we run our load through;
W the woods which we leave in the spring, And now I have sung all I’m going to sing.

3 more letters I can’t bring to rhyme If you can help me please tell me in time
There’s a train whistle blowing and now is in sight Throw off your rockers so long boys good night

credits

from Depends Upon The Pay Traditional Miramichi and New Brunswick Folk Songs, released July 3, 2020
Mike Bravener - Vocals

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Mike Bravener Fredericton, New Brunswick

Mike Bravener began his career as a professional entertainer in 2003. He won many awards as a professional Elvis Tribute Artist. He's well known for rockabilly. Mike has just released an album of Traditional Miramichi and New Brunswick Folk music from the 19th century. This album and tracks are a weekly feature for the summer on CBC's info am shows in Fredericton, Moncton and Saint-John. ... more

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