Qualtrough Family Reunion at Pakuranga, Auckland, New Zealand 20-21 Oct 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