Harry Robertson 1971
The whaling station in the South Georgia islands, operated by a Scottish company from 1909 until 1965. Robertson worked there in 1950-51.
I love this video but I have no idea who they are: Wee Dark Engine Room – gordon bok
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANEnoUq65EI
Now the winter blizzards blow and the whaling fleet’s at rest, Tucked in Leith Harbour’s sheltered bay safely anchored ten abreast. The whalers at their stations from shed to shed they rove, Carry bags of coal with them and a little iron stove. Chorus In that wee dark engine room where the chill seeps through your soul, How we huddled round that wee pot stove that burned oily rags and coal. The fireman Paddy works with me on the engines frozen cold, A stranger to the truth was he, there’s no lie he hasn’t told. Well, he boasted of his gold mines and all the hearts he’d won And his bawdy sense of humour shone just like a ray of sun. We live it seven days a week, cold hands and frozen feet, Bitter days and lonely nights, making grog and having fights. There’s fish and whale-meat sausage and penguin egg’s a treat; Then we struggle on to work each day through the icy winds and sleet. Then one day we saw the sun, saw the factory ships return, Meet your old friends, sing a song; hope the seasons won’t be long. Then it’s homeward bound it’s over and we’ll leave this icy cove; But I always will remember that little iron stove.