In an effort to provide more comprehensive source information Newfoundland's Grand Banks volunteers have devoted their time to collect, transcribe and post information for the web for the benefit of all genealogists with family ties to Newfoundland.

Historical Information on Communities in the Bonavista Bay District

Bonavista Bay Songs and Tidbits

Besides Lukey's Boat there are a number of old Bonavista Bay songs that tell of our heritage. Please help us build our collection and send your favourites to Martha Warren. In particular she is hoping to find the words to "The Challenger".

Mark Walker was born in Tickle Cove, Bonavista Bay, the son of Marcus Walker of Ireland and Jane (Mackey) Walker of Bonavista, B.B. A boat builder by trade, Mark Walker became well known as a song writer and balladeer--his most famous ballad being "On Tickle Cove Pond". It has been said that he was able to write a song about any subject at any time. Sometime in the mid-1870's he moved from Tickle Cove B.B. to Sweet Bay, B.B.

Frank Kelly lived in Tickle Cove, B.B. and was well known as a song writer. He ran a business from his home and also submitted newspaper articles to papers such as "The Evening Telegram." He died by drowning in April 1934.

I would like to express my thanks to Mr. E. James Long, author of "The Hard & the Aisey", for "introducing me", you might say, to the Devine brothers and their work. His help has been invaluable.

The authors of the following works, P. K. (Patick Kevin) Devine, M. A.(Maurice A.)
Devine and John V. Devine were all born in King's Cove, Bonavista Bay. P. K. and M. A. were brothers -- both started as journalists, later becoming editors. A more complete biography of both these men can be found at the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador. John V. Devine was a cousin of the Devine brothers.

1. THE " ANTIS" OF PLATE COVE  BY MARK WALKER
   
2. FANNY'S HARBOUR BAWN BY MARK WALKER
   
3. DOWN BY JIM LONG'S STAGE
   (author unknown , but possibly the work of Mark Walker)
   
4. NELLIE NEIL, ME LITTLE KETTLE  BY MARK WALKER
   
5. TOMMY LEGGE'S RUM
   Written by Frank Kelly, (words provided by James Long.)
   
6. THE GIRLS FROM SWEET BAY
   BY MARK WALKER
   (words provided by Capt. John Russell of Bonavista)
   
7. TICKLE COVE POND BY MARK WALKER
   
8. JIMMY WALSH AND STEPHEN (or Two Jinkers),  by P.K.Devine
   
9. FATHER DUFFY'S WELL  by P.K.Devine
   
10. THE CHICK-A-DEE by P.K.Devine
    
11. THOSE NIGHTS ON BURTON'S POND by P.K.Devine
    
12. WHERE SPECKLED BEAUTIES LIE by P.K.Devine
    
13. GRANNY BATES' HILL by P.K.Devine
    
14. OUR SEAL HUNTER DEAD by P.K.Devine
    
15. THE OUTBOARD PLANTER by P.K.Devine
    
16. WHO STOPPED THE GUN? by P.K.Devine
    
17. WHEN THE OUTPORT MEMBER'S FAMILY COMES TO TOWN by P.K.Devine
    
18. THE BADGER DRIVE by P.K.Devine
    
19. SKIPPER MICHAEL GILL, 1704  by A.J O'Rielly
    
20. WAITING AT GAMBO STATION   by - Emily Wicks Mullett
    
21. A NOBLE FLEET OF SEALERS   Includes picture of the Algerine off Hopedale - 1966