White Squall-Pat Dailey

On the Lakes came from this quiet fishing town in the Bruce Peninsula. There Are very few families in the town, even now, who have not lost a close Relative to the fury of the lakes.] Now it＇s just my luck to have the watch, with nothing left to do But watch the deadly waters glide as we roll north to the ＇Soo＇, And wonder when they＇ll turn again and pitch us to the rail And whirl off one more youngster in the gale. The kid was so damned eager. It was all so big and new. You never had to tell him twice, or find him work to do. And evenings on the mess deck he was always first to sing, And show us pictures of the girl he＇d wed in spring. CHORUS But I told that kid a hundred times ＂Don＇t take the Lakes for granted. They go from calm to a hundred knots so fast they seem enchanted.＂ But tonight some red-eyed Wiarton girl lies staring at the wall, And her lover＇s gone into a white squall. CHORUS Now it＇s a thing that us oldtimers know. In a sultry summer calm There comes a blow from nowhere, and it goes off like a bomb. And a fifteen thousand tonner can be thrown upon her beam While the gale takes all before it with a scream. The kid was on the hatches, lying staring at the sky. >From where I stood I swear I could see tears fall from his eyes. So I hadn＇t the heart to tell him that he should be on a line, Even on a night so warm and fine. CHORUS