Nova Scotia Archives

Helen Creighton: Folklife

Helen Creighton Audio Reel 5653

Song of the Grand Banks

00:00:03 - Mary Had A Little Lamb Audio Reel: 5653 Recording number: 2375 performed by Bert Power at East Ship Harbour, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Mary had a little lamb — 30 July 1953
00:02:14 - Tall Tale of The Sea Audio Reel: 5653 Recording number: 2376 performed by Bert Power at East Ship Harbour, Halifax County, Nova Scotia — 30 July 1953
00:04:55 - Polly Perkins Audio Reel: 5653 Recording number: 2377 performed by S.A. Hopkins at West Jeddore, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I'm a broken-hearted milkman — July 1953
00:07:44 - Banks of Sweet Dundee Audio Reel: 5653 Recording number: 2378 performed by Isaac Doyle at West Jeddore, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: It was of a lofty lady in London town did dwell — July 1953
00:15:27 - Wedding at Renowes Audio Reel: 5653 Recording number: 2379 performed by Isaac Doyle at West Jeddore, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: O there's going to be a jolly time — July 1953
00:18:21 - Back Bay Hill Audio Reel: 5653 Recording number: 2380 performed by Isaac Doyle at West Jeddore, Halifax County, Nova Scotia — July 1953
00:20:02 - Hat Me Father Wore Audio Reel: 5653 Recording number: 2381 performed by S.A. Hopkins at West Jeddore, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I'm Paddy Miles an Irish boy just came across the sea — July 1953
Song of the Grand Banks Audio Reel: 5653 Recording number: 2382 performed by Mrs. Byron Mitchell at Oyster Pond, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: O 'twas coming on the tenth of June — July 1953
00:22:52 - Down By the Brook Audio Reel: 5653 Recording number: 2383 performed by Mrs. Byron Mitchell at Oyster Pond, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: If I were a little bird happy would I be — July 1953
00:24:54 - Fox Hunting at Lakelands Audio Reel: 5653 Recording number: 2384 performed by Jeannie Leslie at Sackville, New Brunswick — August 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: Mf289-504 PDF Mf289-505 PDF