Nova Scotia Archives

Helen Creighton: Folklife

Helen Creighton Audio Reel 5639

My Willie's On the Dark Blue Sea

00:00:03 - Rock-a-Bye Audio Reel: 5639 Recording number: 2325 performed by Mrs. Charles Mitchell at Oyster Pond, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Grandma sits knitting close by the fireplace — July 1953
00:02:08 - Three Little Kitties Audio Reel: 5639 Recording number: 2326 performed by Mrs. Charles Mitchell at Oyster Pond, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Three little kitties one stormy night — July 1953
00:04:10 - Old Cabin Home Audio Reel: 5639 Recording number: 2327 performed by Sandy Stoddard at Lower Ship Harbour, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I am going far away — July 1953
00:06:42 - In Dublin City Audio Reel: 5639 Recording number: 2328 performed by Sandy Stoddard at Lower Ship Harbour, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: In Dublin city where I was bred and born — July 1953
00:09:55 - Drowsy Sleeper Audio Reel: 5639 Recording number: 2329 performed by Sandy Stoddard at Lower Ship Harbour, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Who's there? Who's there beneath my window — July 1953
00:15:33 - All Around My Hat Audio Reel: 5639 Recording number: 2330 performed by Neil O’Brien at Pictou, Pictou County, Nova Scotia — July 1953
My Willie's On the Dark Blue Sea Audio Reel: 5639 Recording number: 2331 performed by Neil O’Brien at Pictou, Pictou County, Nova Scotia — July 1953
00:20:31 - Peter Emery Audio Reel: 5639 Recording number: 2332 performed by Neil O’Brien at Pictou, Pictou County, Nova Scotia — July 1953
00:25:15 - Mary and John Audio Reel: 5639 Recording number: 2333 performed by John J. Murray at Meadowville, Pictou County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Mary and John dwelt in a distand village — July 1953
00:26:57 - Rory O'Moore Audio Reel: 5639 Recording number: 2334 performed by John J. Murray at Meadowville, Pictou County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Young Rory O'Moore courted Kathleen bawn — July 1953
00:27:43 - Hush My Dear Audio Reel: 5639 Recording number: 2335 performed by Mrs. Rod H. McKay at Scotsburn, Pictou County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Hush my dear, lie still and slumber — 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: Mf289-494 PDF Mf289-495 PDF