Hector the Hero Performed

 

He took out the rocks

Two months worth

Now first winter 

Was setting in.

Crown land grant

Had lured from Derry

And a long straining

Sea voyage with

Agnes and sweet

Young Matthew, in arms.

New friends Highley

Had rooms to

Put them up

Over the snows.

Much obliged

Filling in chores

Wherever possible.

Using anything

To get warm.

Matthew had a playmate

In little Susan

Of four years.

Old Clem was hitched

In the Barn.

He had helped 

With the stones.

Would help with

The ground breaking

When thawed.

Clem was a Champion.

Worth three men.

Never complaining

As men do.

Strange contentment

With the reins.

And Hector had slept

With sweet visions.

Of turnips, easily.

Of bountiful barley

Grasses

Swaying, dancing

In Canadian breezes.

Peterborough neighbours.

Good folk.

New chances.

New purpose.

So very thankful.

Ten years younger

Seemingly.

But now the real story behind the song. I went in a different direction with "hero".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hector_the_Hero

O, wail for the mighty in battle,

Loud lift ye the Coronach strain;

For Hector, the Hero, of deathless fame,

Will never come back again.

Lament him, ye sons of old Scotia,

Ye kinsmen on many a shore;

A patriot-warrior, fearless of foe,

Has fallen to rise no more.

O cherish his triumph and glory

On Omdurman's death-stricken plain,

His glance like the eagle's, his heart like the lion's

His laurels a nation's gain.