tales-of-Fogo-Island

I'm not very young, but I never allowedTo have so many nephews to work in one crowd.Twas 'Uncle come here' and 'Uncle go there'.When a landing fell down, it was 'Uncle keep clear'.'Uncle don't lift too hard', 'Now Uncle haul',We're loading the tractor sleds, up with Fred Small.Eric Lilly that man his muscles were bareHe'd equal Joe Louis at Madison SquareBill Cannings, five hundred pounds, he could haulFor loading the tractor sleds, up with Fred SmallJack Martin's the cook, the best you could meetSuch goody goodies, I never did eat.Fresh beef and turnip, steamed duff and boiledMany a hungry man round here would smileLight cake and dark cake, buns in galoreIf you're not full, just ask him for more.Eat when you want to, don't grumble at allLoading the tractor sleds, up with Fred Small.Now the job it is finished, the wood on the lake.With pleasure, our scanty belongings, we'll takeWe'll go where the men and the women and maidsAre all occupied, in their various trades.Sometime in the future, our minds might recallLoading the tractor sleds, up with Fred Small.Transcribed by Mr. Anthony BurkeSeptember 23, 1997Questions to think and write about:1. What did men eat in the lumber woods? Did they have any special treats?2. Do you think that life in the woods was hard? Why?3. What did the men sleep on in the woods?4. What were the 'tractor sleds' in the poem used for?