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common folks around would make up a song. I was vcry young then
when thcm songs was sung. and I never took no attention to it. like. but
them old fellers used to know some songs. 221
Similarly. John M. Earle said ofone ofthe Labrador singers:
Ellis (Lie) Tracey. a local singer. really helped to brc3k up the monotony ofmany
long winter nights and brought many giggles to those around him. Lie sang whether he
felt lile it or not. at only did he compose and sing his own songs he also did imitations
of\'arious radio characters on programmes like the Dolle Ncws complete with steamer
reports and personal messages using an empty tin can for the microphone cfTect.2.."'9
The interaction between 'ewfoundlandcrs and Labradorians resuhed. at times. in
intcr·group rivalry. There is at least one account ofthis rivalry finding an outlct in song.
Apparently. some Newfoundlandcrs took exception to a song composed here and wrote
an answering song. The local composer immediately came back with an answer to the
answer song, and thus had the final word. Do
Around 1940 the baltery radio camc to Labrudor. Aficr the Gerald S. Doyle
l3ullctin on Saturday night, the Jackie Walsh program came all and somconc would step
d,IIlCC ir'·the Irish toc tapping music came on.,,231
m Them Days 3:3 (1978)
229 Them Days 10:3 (1985), pp. 54-55. One of Lie's songs. "Across the Straits:' is
published herc as well.
230 MUNFLA. ms.. 77-356. Similarly Barter Wareham's song titlcd ··Rubber Boot Song"
was answered by "Tom" in Baxter's song.
Ul Ilusscy. pp. 77-78. For more on the Gerald S. Doylc Bulletin. see Philip Hiscock.
"Folklore and Popular Culture in Early ewfoundland Broadcasting: An Analysis of
Occupational arrative. Oral History and Song Repenoirc.·· M.A. Thesis (Folklore).
143