Nova Scotia Archives

Helen Creighton: Folklife

Helen Creighton Audio Reel 5635

I Learned of a Comical Ditty

00:00:03 - Once I Had Plenty of Time Audio Reel: 5635 Recording number: 2288 performed by Freeman Young at East Petpeswick, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Once I had plenty of time — June 1953
00:01:35 - Sassy Young Sailor Audio Reel: 5635 Recording number: 2289 performed by Freeman Young at East Petpeswick, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I went into a restaurant as hungry as a bear — June 1953
00:03:19 - New Year's Eve Audio Reel: 5635 Recording number: 2290 performed by Freeman Young at East Petpeswick, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Can this be New Year's Eve mother — June 1953
00:07:45 - Riley and I Audio Reel: 5635 Recording number: 2291 performed by Berton Young at West Petpeswick, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I thought nothing in the world could part us — June 1953
00:12:08 - Diddling or Cheek Music Audio Reel: 5635 Recording number: 2292 performed by Berton Young and Gertrude Young at West Petpeswick, Halifax County, Nova Scotia — June 1953
00:15:34 - It's Down in Old Ireland Audio Reel: 5635 Recording number: 2293 performed by Freeman Young at East Petpeswick, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: It's down in old Ireland is where I was born — July 1953
00:20:18 - Brave Nelson Audio Reel: 5635 Recording number: 2294 performed by Freeman Young at East Petpeswick, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Arise, arise Britannia — July 1953
I Learned of a Comical Ditty Audio Reel: 5635 Recording number: 2295 performed by Freeman Young at East Petpeswick, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I learned of a comical ditty — July 1953
00:24:55 - Shabby Genteel Audio Reel: 5635 Recording number: 2296 performed by Freeman Young at East Petpeswick, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Don't think by my dress I came here for to beg — July 1953

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: Mf289-486 PDF Mf289-487 PDF