I think new
ground has been broken by Bruce (Caitlyn) Jenner and Rachel Dolezal. We tell children, ‘You can be anything you
want to be when you grow up.” Now we
can add to that: ‘You can be any one you want to be.’
With that in
mind I have come to a decision: I am disgusted with the religious insanity
driving the U.S. at all levels of government; so I’ve decided to be a
Canadian. Not just any Canadian but a
Newfoundlander. Not just any Newfoundlander
bur Joey Smallwood the legendary Premier of Newfoundland that walked the train tracks
from Port-aux-Basque to St John’s to garner votes.
Ize the bye that builds the boats
And Ize the
bye that sails her.
Ize the bye that catch the fish
And take
them home to Liza.
I don’t want
you maggoty fish
For they’re
no good for winter
I can catch
them just as good
Down in
Bonavista.
Yes bye, some
shocking my son - I’m Joey Smallwood
because I says so.
I jigs for
cod on Trinity Bay; I take a bottle of Screech to the squid jigging grounds; I
fills me pail when the capelin runs; and when I wants some mutton I steals Aunt
Martha’s sheep.
When I’m hungry
I want me fish and brewis, or boiled salt cod with scrunchins.
My mates and
I drink India and Blue Star beer from the Newfoundland brewery
and I do the
Newfy stomp when the fiddle and accordion play.
Yes Skipper,
I know the songs, I eat the food, I drink the rum and beer: I am a
Newfoundlander. I’m Joey Ol’Buzzard
Smallwood – because I says so.
