Nova Scotia Archives

Helen Creighton: Folklife

Helen Creighton Audio Reel 5185

Watercress Song

00:00:05 - Quays of Belfast Audio Reel: 5185 Recording number: 1575 performed by John Obe Smith at Glen Haven, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: One bitter cold night in the month of November — July 1950
00:02:17 - Molly Munro Audio Reel: 5185 Recording number: 1576 performed by John Obe Smith at Glen Haven, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I wrote my love a letter — July 1950
00:02:45 - Bold 'Princess Royal' Audio Reel: 5185 Recording number: 1577 performed by Simeon Johnston at Seabright, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: They chased us to windward — July 1950
00:03:20 - Little Log Cabin Audio Reel: 5185 Recording number: 1578 performed by Simeon Johnston at Seabright, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I am getting old and feeble now — July 1950
00:05:10 - Saladin Mutiny Audio Reel: 5185 Recording number: 1579 performed by Gordon Connelly at Glen Haven, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Come all you good people who wish to live long — July 1950
00:10:20 - Isle of Santa Cruz Audio Reel: 5185 Recording number: 1580 performed by Gordon Connelly at Glen Haven, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: It's off the isle of Santa Cruz — July 1950
00:18:06 - Schooner 'Hesperus' Audio Reel: 5185 Recording number: 1581 performed by Gordon Connelly at Glen Haven, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: It was the schooner Hesperus — July 1950
Watercress Song Audio Reel: 5185 Recording number: 1582 performed by Gordon Connelly at Glen Haven, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I am a jolly farmer — 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: Mf289-313 PDF Mf289-314 PDF