New Zealand Reunion - 1979 - Page 4 of 4
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This Article is Re-printed from the Book - A Quota of Qualtroughs
QUALTROUGH FAMILY REUNION - Pakuranga, Auckland, New Zealand 20 – 21 October 1979 -( The Reunion Song)
Arbory to Auckland
Words and Music by Joy
McDougall
Click
Here for Verse Music
Click Here for Chorus Music
VERSE ONE
They sold up their lands and said their goodbyes,
No turning back!
From Old Mannin Beg they severed their ties,
No turning back!
Across the world to an alien home they sailed o’er ocean
waters
To start a new life, this man and his wife and his eight sons
and daughters.
CHORUS
Sail on, sail on, all lend a hand,
Sail on, sail on, Arbory to Auckland.
VERSE TWO
The heritage of a thousand years lost to Qualtrough name.
A debt of honour had to be paid, forced by a cruel claim.
Though of land and state and plans bereft, no sense there was
in feuding
From Rushen Vale descendants left, naught in backwards brooding.
CHORUS
Sail on, sail on, all lend a hand,
Sail on, sail on, Arbory to Auckland.
VERSE THREE
They started a-fresh and broke in new land,
No turning back!
With faith in the heart, a plough in the hand,
No turning back!
We’re here today rememb’ring they who gave us the land
of our birth –
The will to succeed, whatever our deed, where’er we tread
the earth.
CHORUS
Sail on, sail on, all lend a hand,
Sail on, sail on, Arbory to Auckland