Nova Scotia Archives

Helen Creighton: Folklife

Helen Creighton Audio Reel 5351

Shantyman's Life

00:00:02 - Plains of Waterloo Audio Reel: 5351 Recording number: 1842 performed by Mrs. Edward Gallagher at Chebucto Head, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: As I strayed ashore one evening — July 1951
00:04:40 - Bonny Bunch of Roses O Audio Reel: 5351 Recording number: 1843 performed by Mrs. Edward Gallagher at Chebucto Head, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: On the borders of the ocean — July 1951
00:06:10 - Good Old State of Maine Audio Reel: 5351 Recording number: 1844 performed by John Roast at Lower East Chezzetcook, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: You bushmen all give ear I pray of what I now relate — July 1951
Shantyman's Life Audio Reel: 5351 Recording number: 1845 performed by John Roast at Lower East Chezzetcook, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: The shantyman's life is a wearisome life — July 1951
00:10:52 - Down By The Fair River Audio Reel: 5351 Recording number: 1846 performed by John Roast at Lower East Chezzetcook, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Now come all men and maidens take warning by me — July 1951
00:11:26 - Stormy Seas of Winter Audio Reel: 5351 Recording number: 1847 performed by John Roast at Lower East Chezzetcook, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: The stormy seas of winter declines to frost and snow — July 1951
00:14:30 - Chezzetcook Song Audio Reel: 5351 Recording number: 1848 performed by Grace Clergy at East Petpeswick, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: My name is Billy Fountaine, Fountaine, Fountaine — July 1951
00:16:00 - Honest Working Man Audio Reel: 5351 Recording number: 1849 performed by Grace Clergy at East Petpeswick, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: 'Twas on one Monday morning as the daylight was a-dawning — July 1951
00:17:15 - Silvery Tide Audio Reel: 5351 Recording number: 1850 performed by Grace Clergy at East Petpeswick, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: It's of a lovely maiden who dwelt by the seaside — July 1951
00:24:00 - Early Early in the Spring Audio Reel: 5351 Recording number: 1851 performed by Grace Clergy at East Petpeswick, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: It was early early in the spring — July 1951
00:24:43 - Nova Scotia Hills Audio Reel: 5351 Recording number: 1852 performed by Charles Young and Stanley Williams at East Petpeswick, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Oh ye Nova Scotia hills — July 1951

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: Mf289-375 PDF Mf289-376 PDF