Nova Scotia Archives

Helen Creighton: Folklife

Helen Creighton Audio Reel 5168

Pretty Polly

00:00:02 - Terrance Bay song Audio Reel: 5168 Recording number: 1413 performed by William Gilkie at Sambro, Halifax County, Nova Scotia — September 19, 1949
00:04:02 - Murder of Miss Vail Audio Reel: 5168 Recording number: 1414 performed by William Gilkie at Sambro, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Come all young people, I pray for all you — September 19, 1949
00:13:31 - Carrion Corw Audio Reel: 5168 Recording number: 1415 performed by William Gilkie at Sambro, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: There was an old crow sat on a log — September 19, 1949
00:14:38 - Wife of a Soldier Audio Reel: 5168 Recording number: 1416 performed by William Gilkie at Sambro, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: A wife of a soldier — September 19, 1949
Pretty Polly Audio Reel: 5168 Recording number: 1417 performed by Mrs. Edward Gallagher at Chebucto Head, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: As Polly lay a-sleeping in her fine feather bed — September 19, 1949
00:21:42 - Bailiff's Daughter (Bellyer's Daughter) Audio Reel: 5168 Recording number: 1418 performed by Amos Jollimore at Terrace Bay, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: There was a youth lived in this town — September 25, 1948
00:27:15 - Her Masts Were Made of Amber Audio Reel: 5168 Recording number: 1419 performed by Amos Jollimore at Terrace Bay, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Her masts were made of amber — September 25, 1948
00:28:47 - Pope's Harbor Song (McCarthy's Song) Audio Reel: 5168 Recording number: 1420 performed by Amos Jollimore at Terrace Bay, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Long shall I remember one day last December — September 25, 1948

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: Mf289-279 PDF Mf289-280 PDF