From the recording Voyageur In Song (EP)
Mi’kmaq fisherman Joe Labobe was a local hero from Lennox Island First Nation P.E.I. – not least for being a two time winner at the Canadian Oyster Shucking Championships in nearby Tyne Valley and runner up by 2 seconds at the international competition in Galway Ireland. The handle of his favourite shucking knife was used as the seat for the strap post in Voyageur.
Hear more about the story behind the song and watch the powerful live video performance @ https://youtu.be/cJJFQMu475w
Lyrics
Born on Lennox Island
Where the waters dance with diamonds
And nature casts a mighty spell
His love of life and family
Brought him slowly out his shell
And time would tell
About a good pair of hands and his shucking knife
Holding on tight for the time of his life
He could make the cut at breakneck speed
Doing his best to protect the meat
A little slice of heaven and a pearl of hope
He opened up a dream and wouldn’t let go
Ah the legend of Joe Labobe
The world became his oyster
Tyne Valley to Galway Ireland
How he made his people proud
An extraordinary story
About an ordinary man
Who took his chance
With a good pair of hands and his shucking knife
Holding on tight for the time of his life
Making the cut at breakneck speed
Doing his best to protect the meat
A little slice of heaven and a pearl of hope
He opened up a dream and wouldn’t let go
The legend of Joe Labobe
Now his knife is enshrined, a guitar ghost
Taking its seat from pillar to post
Holding on, not letting go
That’s Joe Labobe
CHORUS
(Written by David Leask Published by Power Of Song)