Nova Scotia Archives

Helen Creighton: Folklife

Helen Creighton Audio Reel 5039

00:03:09 - Lady Isabel and The Elf Knight Audio Reel: 5039 Recording number: 111 performed by Dennis Smith at East Chezzetcook, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: 'Twas of a youth and a well bred youth — 1944
00:07:16 - Lord Lovel Audio Reel: 5039 Recording number: 112 performed by Dennis Williams at Musquodoboit Harbour, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Lord Lovel he stood by his castle gateÖ — 1944
00:09:16 - Farmer's Curst Wife Audio Reel: 5039 Recording number: 113 performed by Ben Henneberry at Devil's Island, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: There was an old farmer lived on a hill — 1943
00:12:47 - Katharine Jaffray Audio Reel: 5039 Recording number: 114 performed by Ben Henneberry at Devil's Island, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: It's of a farmer lived in the east — 1943
00:18:32 - False Knight Upon The Road Audio Reel: 5039 Recording number: 115 performed by Ben Henneberry at Devil's Island, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Oh, what have you in your bag? — 1943
00:20:44 - Cruel Mother Audio Reel: 5039 Recording number: 116 performed by Ben Henneberry at Devil's Island, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: There was a lady came from York — 1943
00:24:00 - Bold Pedlar and Robin Hood Audio Reel: 5039 Recording number: 117 performed by Ben Henneberry at Devil's Island, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: There chanced to be a pedlar bold — 1943
00:28:19 - Lord Randal Audio Reel: 5039 Recording number: 118 performed by Ben Henneberry at Devil's Island, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: O, what is the matter Henery my son — 1943

Interested in a particular style of folk song or type of story? Helen often assigned a genre term to her recordings. Choose a genre below to listen.

Acadian Folk song

African Nova Scotian song

Child Ballad [F.J. Child anthology]

Interested in recordings in a particular language? Helen recorded people singing and speaking in multiple languages. Language terms were assigned by Creighton herself. Choose a language below to listen:

Interested in recordings with a particular instrument? Helen recorded people playing and signing with multiple instruments. Instrument solos and/or accompaniment were assigned by Creighton herself. Choose an instrument below to listen:

Read Helen Creighton's recording notes along with archival documentation related to these audio recordings: Mf289-24 PDF Mf289-25 PDF