1. |
Come All Ye Old Comrades
01:32
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Come All Ye Old Comrades
Collected on Devil’s Island at the mouth of Halifax Harbour from Patrick Williams
Published in “Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia”
Come all you bold comrades, come now let us join,
Come and join your sweet voices in chorus with mine,
For we’ll laugh and be jolly and sorrow refrain,
For we may and may never all meet here again.
Fare thee well, I had a sweetheart who I dearly loved well,
Without or with beauty, there is none to excel,
She would laugh at my folly and sit on my knee,
There were few in this wide world more happier than me.
Fare thee well, I had a mother, by the great powers above,
May she always be honoured, respected with love,
May she always be honoured on land or on sea,
I will never forget her kindness to me.
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2. |
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False Knight Upon the Road
[Child 3]
Dr. Creighton collected this variant from Edmund Henneberry of Devil’s Island. It is believed that you could summon the devil if you mentioned his name, so you must call him His Nibs, Old Nick, or False Knight. The devil’s efforts would be useless if the child was under 7, the theological age of reason.
Published in “Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia”
“Oh, what have you in your bag? Oh, what have you in your pack?”
Cried the false knight to the child on the road.
“I’ve got a little primer and a little bit of diner.”
Cried the pretty little child only seven years old.
“What is rounder than a ring? What is higher than the king?”
Cried the false knight to the child on the road.
“The sun is rounder than a ring. God is higher than the king.”
Cried the pretty little child only seven years old.
Deedle, diedle dum, diedle doodle deidle dum,
Diedle deedle diedle doodle diedle, deedle diedle, dum.
Diedle doodle deidle dum, diedle deedle deidle dum,
Deidle doo rye diddly-eyedle doodle dei dum.
“What is whiter than the milk? What is softer than the silk?”
Cried the false knight to the child on the road.
“Snow is whiter than the milk. Down is softer than the silk.”
Cried the pretty little child only seven years old.
“What is greener than the grass? What is worse than woman course?”
Cried the false knight to the child on the road.
“Poison’s greener than the grass. Devil’s worse than woman course.”
Cried the pretty little child only seven years old.
“What is longer than a wave? What is deeper than the sea?”
Cried the false knight to the child on the road.
“Love is longer than a wave. Hell is deeper than the sea.”
Cried the pretty little child only seven years old.
Well now, a curse upon your father and a curse upon your mother.”
Cried the false knight to the child on the road.
“A blessing on my father and a blessing on my mother.”
Cried the pretty little child only seven years old.
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3. |
A Maid I Am In Love
04:15
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A Maid I Am In Love
Collected from Mrs. Stan Marshall in Truro, NS. This song is one of many on the well known theme of a maiden searching for her lover in the guise of a sailor. Some of the tales are wishful fantasy, and some may be based on fact. Hannah Snell served as a marine in the East Indies in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Published in “Maritime Folk Songs”.
“A maid I am in love and I dare not complain,
For the sake of a sailor lad, I’ve cross the raging main,
And if I do not find him, I will mourn him constantly;
And for the sake of Jutney, a maid I’ll live and die.”
Blue jacket and white trousers this fair maid she put on,
And like some jolly sailor lad she boldly marched along,
She bargained with the captain, his mate all for to be,
For to be his own companion all on the briny sea.
One night as they were talking and just a-going to bed,
He smiled and said unto her, “I wish you were a maid;
Your ruby lips and rosy cheeks, they so entices me,
That I do wish with all my heart you were a maid for me.”
“Oh no, oh no, dear Captain, your talk is all in vain,
And if the lads should hear of this, of you they’d make great game,
For when our barque does reach the shore some pretty young girls we’ll find,
We’ll dance and sport among them, we are both well inclined.”
‘Twas about a fortnight later, when their barque did reach the shore,
It’s fare thee well dear Captain, for I’ll ne’er see you no more,
A sailor as I was on board, a maid I am on shore,
Fare thee well dear Captain, for I’ll ne’er see you no more.”
“Come back, come back, my pretty fair maid, and stay along with me,
I have a handsome fortune, that I will give to thee,
Five thousand pounds all in bright gold, guarantee on you I’ll bind,
If you’ll come back my pretty fair maid and say that you’ll be mine.”
“Oh no, oh no, dear Captain, your talk is all in vain,
For I’m in search of a sailor lad who’s crossed the raging main,
And if I do not find him, I will mourn him constantly,
And for the sake of Jutney, a maid I’ll live and die.”
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4. |
Jessie Munroe
03:27
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Jessie Munroe
Collected from Ben Henneberry, Devil’s Island. Variants of this song are known to have existed in Sherbrooke, NS. To date, I have been unable to collect any. Liscomb is a resort area near the Sherbrooke Village Restoration.
Published in “Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia”
One fine summer’s evening, as I was a-walking,
Down by Leicester market I chanced for to go,
I spied a fair damsel; she attracted my attention,
I’ll tell you about her as far as I know.
Right fall de di-day, right fall de di-daddy,
I’ll tell you about her as far as I know.
I says, “My fair lady, oh where is your dwelling?
Oh who is your father, I’d fain like to know.”
“My father’s a blacksmith, and he lives down in Liscomb,
And I am his daughter, young Jessie Munroe.”
“Oh, I have fine building and lands of my own, love,
And they are by the wayside, as you may go,
And you, my dear darling, may lie in my arms,
Like a lamb in the bosom of Jessie Munroe.”
“Now deceitful young Johnny, be gone with such flattery,
Into your buildings I never will go,
Your buildings are shantery, so be gone with such flattery,
There’s a handsome laddie for Jessie Munroe.”
“Well be gone now young Jessie, since you are so saucy,
Back to my Betsy again I will go,
She isn’t so bonny, but she’s fitting for Johnny,
So away to the devil, young Jessie Munroe.”
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5. |
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Captain Wedderburn’s Courtship
[Child 46]
Collected from Tom Young, Petpeswick, NS. The reference to “quilt” seems to be a North American addition. Dr. Roy MacKenzie has a variant with nine verses.
Published in “Traditional Songs from Nova Scotia”
Now the Duke’s fair daughter of Scotland was a-riding out one day,
Two gentlemen from Ireland by chance did come that way,
Say one unto the other, “If it wasn’t’ for the law,
I’d take this fair one in my arms, either by stock or wall.”
“Oh what is rounder than a ring, what is higher than the sky,
And what is worse than woman kind, what is deeper than the sea,
What tree buds first, what bird sings best, and where does the dew first fall?
Before I will lie in your arms either by stock or wall.”
“Well the globe it is rounder than a ring, heaven’s higher than the sky,
The devil is worse than woman kind, hell is deeper than the sea,
The oak buds first and the thrush sings best on top where the dew first falls,
Now you and I must ‘bove the quilt, and you must pay for all.”
“Well must get for me a wedding supper, chickens without bones,
Your must get for me a wedding supper, cherries without stones,
Your must get for a bonny bird that flies without a gall,
Before I will lie in your arms either by stock or wall.”
“Now chickens when they’re in the egg, I’m sure they have no bones,
And cherries in their blossom, well I’m sure they have no stones,
And the dove she is such a gentle bird, she flies without a gall,
Now you and I must ‘bove the quilt, and you must pay for all.”
“You must get for some winter fruit that in December grew,
Our must get for me a silken-web cloak that never a shadow went through,
And a sparrow’s horns, and priest unborn to marry us right awa’.
Before I will lie in your arms either by stock or wall.”
“Well now my father has some winter fruit that in December grew,
My mother has a silken-web cloak that never a shadow went through,
And a sparrow’s horns are easily found, there’s one on every claw.
Now you and I must ‘bove the quilt, and you must pay for all.”
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6. |
Citadel Hill
02:32
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Citadel Hill
Collected from Frank Faulkner, South-East Passage, NS. The singer said the song was composed near Prospect, NS. When Dr. Marius Barbeau was compiling a book of songs for the soldiers in WWII, he changed the title from “Back Bay Hill” to the present one, which has become a Maritime favourite. Citadel Hill is a National Historic site in Halifax.
Published in “Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia”
One day in December, I’ll never forget,
A charming young creature I happily met,
Her eyes shone like diamonds, she was dressed up to kill,
She was trippin’ and slippin’ down Citadel Hill.
Sing fol-de-rol diddle dum, fol-de-rol diddle dum
Fol-de-rol diddle dum, li-de-eye-day.
I said “My fair creature, will you me excuse”,
I offered my arm and she did not refuse,
Her arm locked in mine made me feel love’s sweet thrill,
As we tripped off together down Citadel Hill.
So, the very next day, to the church we did go,
The people all whispered, as well you should know,
Said the priest, “Will you wed?” Says I, “That we will.”
And we kissed and were buckled on Citadel Hill.
Well now we are married and children have three,
But me and the Missus. can never agree,
The first she calls Bridget, the second one, Bill,
Says I, “The runt’s name shall be Citadel Hill”.
So come all you young fellows take warnin’ by me,
If ever in need of a wife you should be,
Well I’ll tell you where you will soon get your fill,
Try trippin’ and slippin’ down Citadel Hill.
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7. |
Broken Ring Song
03:34
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Broken Ring Song
Collected from Mrs. Agnes Gorham, Eastern Passage, NS. The theme of a token which binds everlasting love has many variants. A folk opera performed in Nova Scotia was composed by D. Wetmore and T. Jones, using this song and its many variants.
Published in “Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia”
As I was sitting by my window,
A fair young man, he passed me by,
He looked at me as if he knew me,
And he said, “Young girl, will you fancy I?”
“Fancy you, a man of honour,
A maid of honour I never will be,
For I am waiting for a sailor,
Whose home is far across the sea.”
“For seven years he’s been a sailor,
And seven years he’s been at sea,
And seven more, I will wait for him,
‘Til he returns to marry me.”
“Why young girl, you are so foolish,
To wait upon that man so long,
Perhaps he’s sick; perhaps he’s married,
Or perhaps he’s dead in some foreign land.”
“Well, if he’s sick, I wish him better,
And if he’s married, I wish him joy,
And if he’s dead, I wish him heaven,
Oh Lord, protect my sailor boy.”
Now when he saw she was contented,
And when he saw that she was true,
He put his hand in his vest pocket,
Pulled out a ring that was broke in two.
“The other part of that there ring love,
It lies beneath the foaming sea,
And if you ever wish to marry,
Pray kindly turn your thoughts to me.
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8. |
Lost Jimmy Whelan
04:24
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Lost Jimmy Whelan
Collected from Dennis Smith, Chezzetcook, NS. This lovely ghost song resembles Child 78, “The Unquiet Grave”. The ghost does not care to be mourned and cannot rest peacefully while his loved one is in so much grief.
Published in “Traditional Songs from Nova Scotia”
Slowly I rode by the banks of the river,
A-viewing the sun beams as evening drew nigh,
As onward I rambled, I spied a fair damsel,
A-weeping and wailing with many a sigh.
She was crying for one who is now lying lowly,
Weeping for one that no mortal can save,
The dark flowing waters flow swiftly around her,
While the grass it grows green over young Jimmy’s grave.
“Oh, Jimmy my dear, won’t you come to me darling,
Come to me now from your cold silent tomb,
You promised you’d meet me this evening, my darling,
If this cruel angel would greet your sad doom.”
“Well, you promise we’d meet by the banks of the river,
And give me sweet kisses as oft time before,
And take me again in your strong, loving arms,
Oh come to me Jimmy, come as of yore.”
Well slowly he rose from the banks of the river,
A vision of beauty more bright than the sun,
With his bright robes of crimson around him all flowing,
And unto the maiden to speak he began.
“Why did you call me from my realms of glory,
Back to this world where I soon have to leave,
And take you again in my strong loving arms,
To see you once more love, I come from the grave.”
“One more embrace love before I must leave you,
One more fond kiss before we must part,”
And cold were the arms that did her encircle,
And cold was the bosom she pressed to her heart.
“Well, adieu then,” he cried and he vanished before her,
Back to the clouds why his form seemed to go,
And leaving this maiden forlorn and distracted,
A-weeping and wailing with sorrow and woe.
Now she threw herself down on the ground and wept sorely,
With wild words of horror this maiden did rage,
Saying, “Jimmy my darling, my lost Jimmy Whelan,
I cried ‘til I died by the side of your grave.”
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9. |
Catherine Était Fille
03:23
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Catherine Était Fille
Collected from Mrs. Laura Irene MacNeil, West Pubnico, NS. I am told this song originated in Normandy, where it is still sung by scouts around a campfire. It is the story of Catherine, a Christian who is killed by her father. It takes three blows of his sword to dispatch his daughter; but, in the end, Catherine has a reprieve. She got to heaven – but her father didn’t make it.
Published in “Maritime Folk Songs”
Catherine était fille,
A la zim boum, a la zim boum boum,
Catherine était fille.
Était fille du roi, [bis]
Et voilà, ...
Sa mère était chrétienne, Son père ne l’était pas,
Un jour à sa prière, Son père la trouva,
“Que fais-tu là, ma fille, Ma fille, que fais-tu là?
“Je prie ce Dieu, mon père, Que toi tu ne pries pas”
“Qu’on m’apporte mon sabre, Et mon grand coutelas!”
Du premier coup de sabre, Son père la manqua.
Du deuxièm coup de sabre, Son père la frappa.
Du troisièm coup de sabre, Son père la tua.
Catherine et au ciel, Mais son père n’y et pas.
Catherine was the daughter of the king. [So there now.] Her mother was a Christian; her father wasn’t. One day while she was praying, her father discovered her and asked her what she was doing. She replied that she was praying to God – a god he did not acknowledge. The king asked for his sword and cutlass and, with the first two slashes, he missed. But with the third cut he killed Catherine. Catherine is now in heaven but her father isn’t.
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10. |
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When I Wake in the Morning
Collected from Angelo Dornan, Elgin, NB. Mr. Elgin could sing from sun up to sun down and never repeat a song.
Published in “Maritime Folk Songs”
When I wake in the morning I go to my window,
I take a long look o’er the place that I know,
I’m surrounded by sorrow, will I never see tomorrow,
Oh, Jimmy, lovely Jimmy, if you knew what I know.
When the boys come to court me, they all say they love me,
But I like a hero, I do them distain,
My love’s gone and left me, no other man shall get me,
And I never will marry ‘til he comes back again.
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11. |
All 'Round My Hat
02:31
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All ‘Round My Hat
Collected from Neil O’Brien, Pictou, NS. This song is of English origin where the willow denotes being forsaken. In Nova Scotia, it is the laurel.
Published in “Maritime Folk Songs”
Now young men are false, oh they are so deceiving,
Young men are false and they seldom prove true,
For their rambling and their raging, their minds is always
Always a-looking for some fair one that’s new.
Seven long years that I have spent in courting,
Seven long years that I have spent in vain,
But since it is my fortune that I must marry an old man,
Never would I ramble so far, far again.
Well all around my hat I will wear a green laurel,
All around my hat for six long months or more,
And if anyone should ask me why I wear this laurel.
I’ll tell them I’ve been slighted by my true love John.
Well, if I only had my own heart to keep it,
If I only had my own heart again,
I would wrap it in my bosom and keep it there forever,
Never would I ramble so far, far again.
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12. |
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What Harm Has Jesus Done You?
Collected from Charles Owen, Bridgetown, NS. Mr. Owen was 99 when he sang for Dr. Creighton in 1953.
Published in “Maritime Folk Songs”
Tell me, what harm has Jesus done you?
What harm has Jesus done you?
What harm has Jesus done you?
Sinners all hate him so.
Well you know they took poor Jesus,
And they nailed him to a tree,
They hewed him out a heavy cross,
To carry up Calvary.
Well, they gave him cup of vinegar,
And they gave him a cup of gall,
Well, he drank from the rim to the bottom of the cup,
And he never spoke a murmuring word.
Well you see brother Gabriel in the morning,
Stretching forth his might line,
With sheep on the right and the goats on the left,
They never run together no more.
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13. |
Come All Ye Old Comrades
01:20
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Come All Ye Old Comrades …
Fare thee well my bold comrades and now I must away,
For now I will leave you for many a long day,
To leave my bold comrades so fond and so dear,
And away to old England my barque for to steer.
Here’s adieu, my old comrades, here’s adieu and farewell,
If ever I return again there’s no tongue can tell,
But we’ll trust in his mercy, who can sink or can save,
To carry us over the wide swelling waves.
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Clary Croft Nova Scotia
Clary is a folklore researcher, author and recording artist. His newly published memoirs, Clary Croft: My Charmed Life in Music, Art, and Folklore, chronicles a career spanning over fifty years. His work with the traditional music from the Creighton Collection, has caused Clary to be called, “the acknowledged master of one of the richest repertoires in Canada.” [Halifax Mail Star] ... more
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