Video: Bowser’s Seventy-Twa

Several songs came out of strikes 1912-13 in the Nanaimo coalfields, the best known being ‘Bowser’s Seventy-Twa,’ a satirical description of the militia sent in by Attorney-General Bowser. This version is performed by Skellig. Lead vocals: Chris Burness, Acoustic Guitar: Sterling Sheck,  Lead Guitar: John Farewell, Violin: Lisa Burness, Music written by Chris & Lisa Burness

[Music]

[Slide show of images related to mining and strike]

BOWSER’S SEVENTY-TWA

I

Oh, did you see the kilties, boys?

Well, laugh; t’would nearly kilt you, boys

That day they came to kill, both great and small,

With bayonet, shot and shell –

To blow you all to hell –

A dandy squad was Bowser’s Seventy-Twa

CHORUS

Then, hurrah! Boys, hurrah!

For Bowser’s Seventy-twa-

The handy, dandy, candy Seventy-twa.

They’ll make the world look small,

Led on by Colonel Hall.

Hurrah! Boys, hurrah!

For Bowser’s Seventy-twa

II

They stood some curious shapes, these boys.

They must have sprung from apes, these boys,

Dressed up in kilts to represent the law,

Ma conscience, it was grand.

Hurrah! For Old Scotland!

And Bowser with his gallant Seventy-twa.

III

They could not stand at ease, these boys,

They had no strength, believe me, boys,

Some had to stand upon their guns or fall

And many a mother’s son had never seen a gun;

But, mind you, they were Bowser’s Seventy-twa.

iV

It beat the band to see them land

And make that proud, heroic stand-

The emblem of the government and the law.

And we’ll not forget the day

They stormed Departure Bay

Did Bowser with his gallant Seventy-twa.