G D
1. In cuttin and haulin in frost and in snow
C D7
we're up against troubles that few people know
G D
It's only by courage and patience and grit
C D G
and eatin plain food that we keep ourselves fit
Em
The hard and the easy we take as they come
C Am D
and when ponds freeze over we shorten our runs
G D
to hurry my haulin with spring coming on
C D G
I near lost me a mare out on Tickle Cove Pond
D G D
R: Lay hold William Oldford, lay hold William White
C D
Lay hold of the cordage and pull all your might
G D
Lay hold of the bowline and pull all you can
C D G
And give me a lift with poor Kit on the pond
2. I knew that the ice grew weaker each day
But still took the risk and kept haulin away
One evening in April bound home with a load
my mare showed some halting against the ice road
She knew more than I did as matters turned out
Been lucky for me had I joined her in doubt
She turned round her head with tears in her eyes
As if she were sayin "You're risking our lives"
G D
All this I ignored with a whip handle blow
C D7
For man is a stupid dumb creature you know
G D
And the very next moment the pond gave a sigh
C D G
and up to our necks went poor Kitty and I
R: Lay hold William Oldford...
Em
And if I had taken wise Kitty's advice
C walk down to Am D
I ne'er would have made that short cut on the ice
G D
Poor creature she's dead, poor creature she's gone
C D G
I'll ne'er get my mare out of Tickle Cove Pond
3. I raised an alarm you could hear for a mile
and neighbours showed up in a very short while
You can always rely on the Oldfords and Whites
To render assistance in all your bad plights
To help a kind neighbour is part of their lives
The same can be said for their children and wives
And with the rope fastened around the mare's breast
William White for a shanty song made a request
Em
There was no time for thinkin no time for delay
C Am D
Straight from his heart came this song right away
R: Lay hold William Oldford... (2x)
