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La ballade du Irving Whale

by Zachary Richard

on Gombo (2017)

I left Halifax under a beautiful fall sky,
Attached to the tug that pulled my 4000 tons.
My belly filled to the brim with Bunker C,
Headed for the Bay des Chaleurs, hoping to warm 'em up.

I am Madelinot, I have the sea salt in my veins,
And when the wind picks up, I hoist my flag.

Passing up the Eastern Shore and through the Straight of Canso.
Picking my way between the Magdalens and Prince Edward Isle.
It was early Monday morning when came a Nor'wester.
It blew at 32 knots with waves like knives.

The captain let out the cable so that the hulls would not collide,
But the barge began to tumble and roll to starboard.
It was at 10:23 the morning of September 7,
Taking water astern, the Irving Whale sunk like a stone.

The sailors aloft cried out with all their might.
Calling to God in their fright.
Have mercy on our souls, because Irving is not in sight.

200 tons of Bunker C washed up on Wolf's Point,
Where they are buried leaving nary a trace.
My archipelago is fragile and I am tired to the bone.
But you will miss us both when we are gone.