Debra Cowan - Schooner EA Horton Lyrics
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 awhileAnd I'll tell you of a capture that was made in Yankee style'Twas the Schooner E.A. Horton in the British harbor lieShe was shaken by "The Sweepstakes" while cruising in disguiseOur treaties they've rejected and our governments defiedIt's now you've stole our fishermen so Johnnies, mind yer eye.'Twas the thirteenth day of October in the year of sixty-oneBrave Knowlton and his comrades, the day it was begunWhile the British thick-skulls were sleepin' with red ruin on their brainWe stole away our fishermen and brought her back againOur treaties they've rejected and our governments defiedIt's now you've stole our fishermen so Johnnies, mind yer eye.Says brave Knowlton to his comrades, "If you will follow meWe'll have the Horton home again whate'er the cost may beWe'll stick to one another like brothers just as trueAnd we'll show those Yankee thievish-men what Yankee lads can do"Our treaties they've rejected and our governments defiedIt's now you've stole our fishermen so Johnnies, mind yer eye.'Twas early in the next morning the news did spread aboutThey found the gold prospector with the Horton had stepped outThe news began to penetrate the British skulls so thickThey finally did acknowledge 'twas a bold and Yankee trickOur treaties they've rejected and our governments defiedIt's now you've stole our fishermen so Johnnies, mind yer eye.Now boys, there is a jolly time in Glou-cester tonightFor heavy guns are firing and torches burning brightThe band plays, "Yankee Doodle" and the voices loudly ringFor the Yankee boys are shouting that the Horton has got inOur treaties they've rejected and our governments defiedIt's now you've stole our fishermen so Johnnies, mind yer eye.Now you Dominion Canaday, I warn you to bewareYou better sign the treatie and settle this affairAnd always do to others as you'll have 'em do to youAnd don't try to treat your neighbor like old Johnnie tried to doOur treaties they've rejected and our governments defiedIt's now you've stole our fishermen so Johnnies, mind yer eye.
