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(Albert Howard, Orford, NH)

This song, which is native to Massachusetts, is based on a true story. On September 1, 1871 the EA Horton a Goucester-based schooner was captured by Canadian authorities in Nove Scotia for fishing inside the three mile limit. She was stripped of her sails and secured to a wharf where she was held until a court of custody was convened to decide the case. Capt. Harvey Knowlton, also a part-owner of the vessel decided that he wanted the ship back. He pretended to return to Cape Ann, but instead headed for Canso, N.S. three weeks later. There, in the home of a notorious smuggler, plans were laid to recapture the schooner. He gathered together a crew and on October 8th, at 2:30 a.m., the Horton was water-born and made her way back to Gloucester, where she arrived on Oct. 18th to cries of “The Horton's in! The Horton's in!”

lyrics

(Albert Howard, Orford, NH)
This song, which is native to Massachusetts, is based on a true story. On September 1, 1871 the EA Horton a Goucester-based schooner was captured by Canadian authorities in Nove Scotia for fishing inside the three mile limit. She was stripped of her sails and secured to a wharf where she was held until a court of custody was convened to decide the case. Capt. Harvey Knowlton, also a part-owner of the vessel decided that he wanted the ship back. He pretended to return to Cape Ann, but instead headed for Canso, N.S. three weeks later. There, in the home of a notorious smuggler, plans were laid to recapture the schooner. He gathered together a crew and on October 8th, at 2:30 a.m., the Horton was water-born and made her way back to Gloucester, where she arrived on Oct. 18th to cries of “The Horton's in! The Horton's in!”

Come all you sons of Uncle Sam, come listen to me awhile
And I'll tell you of a capture that was made in Yankee style
'Twas the Schooner E.A. Horton in the British harbor lie
She was shaken by "The Sweepstakes" while cruising in disguise
Our treaties they've rejected and our governments defied
It's now you've stole our fishermen so Johnnies, mind yer eye.

'Twas the thirteenth day of October in the year of sixty-one
Brave Knowlton and his comrades, the day it was begun
While the British thick-skulls were sleepin' with red ruin on their brain
We stole away our fishermen and brought her back again
Our treaties they've rejected and our governments defied
It's now you've stole our fishermen so Johnnies, mind yer eye.

Says brave Knowlton to his comrades, "If you will follow me
We'll have the Horton home again whate'er the cost may be
We'll stick to one another like brothers just as true
And we'll show those Yankee thievish-men what Yankee lads can do"
Our treaties they've rejected and our governments defied
It's now you've stole our fishermen so Johnnies, mind yer eye.

'Twas early in the next morning the news did spread about
They found the gold prospector with the Horton had stepped out
The news began to penetrate the British skulls so thick
They finally did acknowledge 'twas a bold and Yankee trick
Our treaties they've rejected and our governments defied
It's now you've stole our fishermen so Johnnies, mind yer eye.

Now boys, there is a jolly time in Glou-cester tonight
For heavy guns are firing and torches burning bright
The band plays, "Yankee Doodle" and the voices loudly ring
For the Yankee boys are shouting that the Horton has got in
Our treaties they've rejected and our governments defied
It's now you've stole our fishermen so Johnnies, mind yer eye.

Now you Dominion Canaday, I warn you to beware
You better sign the treatie and settle this affair
And always do to others as you'll have 'em do to you
And don't try to treat your neighbor like old Johnnie tried to do
Our treaties they've rejected and our governments defied
It's now you've stole our fishermen so Johnnies, mind yer eye.

credits

from Dad's Dinner Pail and Other Songs From the Helen Hartness Flanders Collection, released July 26, 2005
Debra Cowan: Vocals
Michael DeLalla: Guitar and Bodhran

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Debra Cowan Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

Singer Debra Cowan performs a cappella and with guitar, interpreting a wide range of folk songs. Debra has two acclaimed solo recordings to her credit, and her third, “Fond Desire Farewell” was produced by former Fairport Convention drummer Dave Mattacks. A former California resident, she now resides in Massachusetts and tours all over North America and the United Kingdom. ... more

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