Oh, this is the place where the fishermen and gather with
Oil-skins and boots and the Cape Anns battened down
All sizes of figures with squid lines and jiggers
They congregate here on the squid jiggin’ ground.
Some are workin’ their jiggers, while others are yarnin’
There’s some standin’ up and there’s more lyin’ down
While all kinds of fun, jokes and drinks are begun
As they wait for the squid on the squid jiggin’ ground.
There’s men of all ages and boys in the bargain
There’s old Billy Cave and there’s young Raymond Brown
There’s Rip, Red and Gory out here in the dory
A runnin’ down squires on the squid jiggin’ ground.
There’s men from Bar Harbor, there’s men from Mertickle
And all kinds of motor-boats, green, gray and brown
Right yonder is Bobby and with him is Nobby
He’s chawin’ hard tack on the squid jiggin’ ground.
God bless my soueaster, there’s Skipper John, John Chaffee
He’s the best hand at squid jiggin’ here, I’ll be bound
Hello, what’s the row? Why he’s jiggin’ one now
The very first squid on the squid jiggin’ ground.
The man with the whisker is old Jacob Steele
He’s gettin’ well on, but he’s still pretty sound
While Uncle Bob Hockins wears six pairs of stockin’s
Whenever he’s out on the squid jiggin’ ground.
Holy Smoke! What a scuffle! All hands are excited
It’s a wonder to me that there’s nobody drowned
There’s a bustle, confusion, the wonderful hustle
They’re all jiggin’ squid on the squid jiggin’ ground.
Says Bobby, “The squids are on top of the water,
I just got me riggers ’bout one fathom down”
But a squid in the boat squirted right down his throat
And he swam like mad on the squid jiggin’ ground.
There’s poor Uncle Louie, his whiskers are spattered
With spots of the squid juice that’s flyin’ around
One poor little boy got it right in the eye
But they don’t give a darn on the squid jiggin’ ground.
Now, if you ever feel inclined to go squiddin’
Leave your starched collars behind in the town
And if you get cranky without your silk hanky
You’d better steer clear of the squid jiggin’ ground…