Nova Scotia Archives

Helen Creighton: Folklife

Helen Creighton Audio Reel 5151

The Old Cat Spinning in the Oven

00:00:05 - Old Man (Billy Modicks) Audio Reel: 5151 Recording number: 1241 performed by Evelyn Richardson and Anne Wickens at Bon Portage Island, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: There was an old man came over the sea — 26 July 1949
00:02:20 - False Knight Upon the Road Audio Reel: 5151 Recording number: 1242 performed by Evelyn Richardson and Anne Wickens at Bon Portage Island, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: O where are you going — 26 July 1949
The Old Cat Spinning in the Oven Audio Reel: 5151 Recording number: 1243 performed by Caroline Murphy at Cape Sable Island, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia — August 3, 1949
00:08:34 - Opening of the Causeway 1949 Audio Reel: 5151 Recording number: 1244 performed by Caroline Murphy at Cape Sable Island, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia — August 2, 1949
00:09:22 - Opening of the Causeway 1949 Audio Reel: 5151 Recording number: 1245 performed by Caroline Murphy at Cape Sable Island, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia — August 2, 1949
00:11:45 - Come All Ye Jolly Jokers Audio Reel: 5151 Recording number: 1246 performed by Otis Purdy at Baccaro, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Come all ye jolly jokers, listen to my song — August 18, 1949
00:16:00 - Song of Baccaro Audio Reel: 5151 Recording number: 1247 performed by Otis Purdy at Baccaro, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Come listen to my story — August 18, 1949
00:18:43 - Girl I Left Behind Audio Reel: 5151 Recording number: 1248 performed by Otis Purdy at Baccaro, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: My parents raised me tenderly — August 18, 1949
00:23:01 - Fred Hopkins and His Truck Audio Reel: 5151 Recording number: 1249 performed by Otis Purdy at Baccaro, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Oh Fred Hopkins had a good old truck — August 18, 1949
00:25:09 - My Love Is Like A Little Bird Audio Reel: 5151 Recording number: 1250 performed by Caroline Murphy at Cape Sable Island, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: My love is like a little bird — August 19, 1949
00:26:06 - Little Bird, Little Bird Audio Reel: 5151 Recording number: 1251 performed by Caroline Murphy at Cape Sable Island, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Little bird, little bird — August 19, 1949
00:26:34 - Get To Bed Audio Reel: 5151 Recording number: 1252 performed by Caroline Murphy at Cape Sable Island, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Get to bed, what's the use — August 19, 1949
00:28:05 - Round the Cape and over the Shoals; + Pick up a little lamb Audio Reel: 5151 Recording number: 1253 performed by Caroline Murphy at Cape Sable Island, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Round the cape and over the shoals, Pick up a little lamb, stow her in your bosom — August 19, 1949
00:29:00 - On The Green Carpet Audio Reel: 5151 Recording number: 1254 performed by Otis Purday at Baccaro, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia — 19-Aug-49

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: Mf289-246 PDF Mf289-247 PDF