Round-Up on The Cape
The long weekend in September,
It was that time of the year,
To get the sheep in from the cliffs
and keep Sooley off the beer.
A gathering of boys and men,
From Branch, went to the Cape.
To get the sheep into the pen,
letting neither one escape.
The first objective of the day,
was for the younger ones.
To make the trek to Golden Bay,
and get the sheep out on the run
Meanwhile at the lighthouse yard,
the men prepared the fence.
While sipping beer and whiskey,
they talked with Mr. Vince
By the time the sheep were herded,
and all owners gathered ‘round.
Sooley, Neil, Willie and Gerald,
very excited as the sheep ran in the pound.
Next came the biggest job,
the sorting of the herd.
As names flew across the fence,
in strange yet familiar words.
“Get the one with the smutty face,” and
“the one we got from Aff” and
“don’t’ forget the yearling, that almost her lamb,”
“Hurry-up boys, load ‘em in the back.”
Willie watched with attention,
for his sheep to appear.
There was no mistaking them,
sure they had neither ear.
Gerald and Mike, they argued
About the ones, they thought were theirs.
Two sets of eyes were keenly glued,
for their markings to appear
Tom stood in the corner,
stirring up the pot.
Talking with Len and Aiden,
who were sorting out the flock
Teddy worked his heart out.
As Leo walked around,
tucking his flask into his belt,
while mingling with the crowd.
By the time the trucks were loaded,
at the ending of the day.
An age-old task completed,
All hands went on their way.
“Written while remembering home on a cold Labrador winter night in 1996.” - Terry
Terry is the son of the late Mrs. Aggie (Mooney) and Mr. John