Nova Scotia Archives

Helen Creighton: Folklife

Helen Creighton Audio Reel 5184

Slavery Song

00:00:07 - Pat Murphy Audio Reel: 5184 Recording number: 1565 performed by Sydney Boutilier at French Village, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I'm a man from old Ireland — July 1950
00:02:07 - Since Love Can Enter An Iron Door Audio Reel: 5184 Recording number: 1566 performed by Simeon Johnston at Seabright, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: It's of a damsel neat, fair, and handsome — July 1950
00:07:49 - Sweet Florella Audio Reel: 5184 Recording number: 1567 performed by Simeon Johnston at Seabright, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Down by a drooping willow — July 1950
00:11:48 - Battle of Waterloo Audio Reel: 5184 Recording number: 1568 performed by Simeon Johnston at Seabright, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: A lady was a-walking down by the banks of Clyde — July 1950
Slavery Song Audio Reel: 5184 Recording number: 1569 performed by Simeon Johnston at Seabright, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Come all ye darkies listen — July 1950
00:17:48 - Fox Audio Reel: 5184 Recording number: 1570 performed by Simeon Johnston at Seabright, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: A fox he went out one moonshiny night — July 1950
00:18:21 - Jolly Ploughboy Audio Reel: 5184 Recording number: 1571 performed by Sydney Boutilier at French Village, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: It's of a jolly ploughboy was ploughing of his land — July 1950
00:22:39 - Charles G. Anderson Audio Reel: 5184 Recording number: 1572 performed by Sydney Boutilier at French Village, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Come all ye human countrymen, with pity lend an ear — July 1950
00:26:05 - She's A Sweet Little Dude Audio Reel: 5184 Recording number: 1573 performed by Sydney Boutilier at French Village, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: She's a neat little sweet little — July 1950
00:26:42 - Boyne Water Audio Reel: 5184 Recording number: 1574 performed by John Obe Smith at Glen Haven, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Be not afraid me boys he said — July 1950

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: Mf289-311 PDF Mf289-312 PDF