The Shores of Oregon
Poem by John Dashney (1942-2019), Music by Gordon Bok
Jane Barnes was a barmaid in Portsmouth Town
When she decided it might be fun
To give up her job, take up with a man
And sail for the shores of Oregon
Sail for the shores of Oregon
So she sailed away from Baker’s Bay
Round the horn in the Isaac Todd
It’s thirteen months from Portsmouth Town
To the shores of Oregon by God
There to the shores of Oregon
Donald McTavish was the man she chose
When that long trip was first begun
The new governor at old Fort George
That sat on the shores of Oregon
Sat on the shores of Oregon
But the governor’s boat was swamped and sunk
And McTavish and his crew were drowned
His body washed up on the shore
And the rest of men were never found
The rest of the men were never found
So Jane was left without a man
Alone as on the sands she trod
1814 on rainy beach
On the shores of Oregon by God
There on the shores of Oregon
Then Prince Cassakas said to her
I am Great Chief Comcomly’s son
I got four wives but marry me
And live on the shores of Oregon
Live on the shores of Oregon
I’ll give you kinnikinnick to smoke
Seal oil to rub on your skin so white
And you’ll never have to grub for roots
Nor dig for clams on the shore at night
Clams on the shore at night
By God said Jane I do need a man
Why did McTavish have to drown?
But a man that smells like rotten fish
I’d rather serve beer in Portsmouth town
And smell like the beer in Portsmouth town
So Jane sailed away for Baker’s Bay
To the west and followed the setting sun
Clear round the world to Portsmouth town
And far from the shores of Oregon
Far from the shores of Oregon
Jane never made the history books
And children never read of her life
For she was a barmaid bold and not
Some pious missionary wife
Pious missionary wife
Jane was a barmaid coarse and bold
And yet, when all is said and done
My God! She was the first and far from the worst
To come to the shores of Oregon
To come to the shores of Oregon
John Dashney was an internationally loved storyteller, historian, and author of children’s books. We had corresponded for a few years when he sent me this poem, wondering if it might become a song. I loved the story, the nuts and bolts of it, the characters and the way John presented them with such honesty and respect, so I made this tune for it, which he said he liked.
Here’s why I believe this is a true story. The “bar” off the mouth of the Columbia River is one of the most dangerous river-bars in the world, and captains who pilot the ships across it must have the highest credentials in the world. In their office in Astoria, there’s a plaque on the wall commemorating the first known Columbia River Bar Pilot. -Comcomly.
[Thanks to friend & hero Capt. Deborah Dempsey, Bar Pilot, for al lher kindnesses]