Words & Music by Arthur R. Scammell
Recorded by Hank Snow
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Oh this is the place where the fishermen gather
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In oil-skins and boots and the Cape hats batten down;
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All sizes of figures with squid lines and jiggers,
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They congregate here on the Squid Jiggin' Ground.
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Some are workin' their jiggers, while others are yarnin',
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There's some standin' up and there's more lyin' down;
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While all kinds of fun, jokes and drinks are begun,
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As they wait for the squid on the Squid Jiggin' Ground.
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There's men of all ages and boys in the bargain,
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There's old Billy Cave and there's young Raymond Brown;
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There's Rip, Red and Gory out here in the dory,
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A runnin' down squires on the Squid Jiggin' Ground.
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There's men from the harbor, there's men from the tickle,
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And all kinds of motor-boats, green, gray and brown;
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Right yonder is Bobby and with him is Nobby,
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He's chawin' hard tack on the Squid Jiggin' Ground.
[ Tab from: https://www.guitartabs.cc/tabs/s/snow_hank/squid_jiggin_ground_crd.html ]
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God bless my soul, list to, there's Skipper John Champy,
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He's the best hand at squid jiggin' here, I'll be bound;
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Hello, what's the row? Why he's jiggin' one now,
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The very first squid on the Squid Jiggin' Ground.
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The man with the whiskers is old Jacob Steele,
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He's gettin' well on, but he's still pretty sound;
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While Uncle Bob Hockins wears six pairs of stockin's
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Whenever he's out on the Squid Jiggin' Ground.
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Holy Smoke! What a scuffle! All hands are excited,
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It's a wonder to me that there's nobody drowned;
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There's a bustle, confusion, the wonderful hustle,
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They're all jiggin' squid on the Squid Jiggin' Ground.
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Says Barney, "The squids are on top of the water,
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I just felt me jiggers jig five fat homs down
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But a squid in the boat squirted right down his throat,
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Now he's swearin'like mad on the Squid Jiggin' Ground.
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There's poor Uncle Louie, his whiskers are spattered
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With spots of the squid juice that's flyin' around;
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One poor little guy got it right in the eye,
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But they don't give a darn on the Squid Jiggin' Ground.
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Now, if you feel inclined to go squiddin',
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Leave your white shirt and your collar in the town;
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And if you get cranky without your silk hanky,
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You'd better steer clear of the Squid Jiggin' Ground.
