Nova Scotia Archives

Helen Creighton: Folklife

Helen Creighton Audio Reel 5770

Murder Song

00:00:05 - Shepherdess, The Audio Reel: 5770 Recording number: 2870 performed by Mrs. Clem O’Conner at Moncton, New Brunswick first line of lyric: There was a handsome shepherdess keeping sheep upon a hill — July 1955
00:04:43 - Neat Little Window, The Audio Reel: 5770 Recording number: 2871 performed by Mrs. Clem O’Conner at Moncton, New Brunswick first line of lyric: There once was a lass and her name it was Nell, — July 1955
00:08:30 - Buren's Grove Audio Reel: 5770 Recording number: 2872 performed by Mrs. Clem O’Conner at Moncton, New Brunswick first line of lyric: The day is hot, we will leave the spot — July 1955
00:09:11 - Braes of Balqueather, The Audio Reel: 5770 Recording number: 2873 performed by Angelo Dornan at Elgin, New Brunswick first line of lyric: 'Will you go lassie go to the bonny hills and mountains — July 1955
00:12:06 - Plains of Waterloo, The Audio Reel: 5770 Recording number: 2874 performed by Angelo Dornan at Elgin, New Brunswick first line of lyric: If Willie Smith is your love's name — July 1955
00:13:26 - Oh Dear, What Can the Matter Be Audio Reel: 5770 Recording number: 2876 performed by Angelo Dornan at Elgin, New Brunswick first line of lyric: He promised to buy me a trinket to please me, — July 1955
00:14:29 - Whisky is a Cordial Audio Reel: 5770 Recording number: 2877 performed by Angelo Dornan at Elgin, New Brunswick first line of lyric: O whisky is a cordial — July 1955
00:15:02 - Rambler from Clare, The Audio Reel: 5770 Recording number: 2878 performed by Angelo Dornan at Elgin, New Brunswick first line of lyric: I first gained her favour — July 1955
00:15:28 - Mick McGee Audio Reel: 5770 Recording number: 2879 performed by Angelo Dornan at Elgin, New Brunswick first line of lyric: O Mick McGee from Ballymachree — July 1955
Murder Song Audio Reel: 5770 Recording number: 2880 performed by W.E. Ireland at Elgin, New Brunswick first line of lyric: Young men and tender maidens attend to what I say, — July 1955
00:24:22 - Two Irish Stories Audio Reel: 5770 Recording number: 2881 performed by W.E. Ireland at Elgin, New Brunswick — July 1955
00:26:08 - Come All Good People Audio Reel: 5770 Recording number: 2882 performed by W.E. Ireland at Elgin, New Brunswick first line of lyric: Come all good people pay attention all unto those few lines I write, — July 1955
00:29:28 - My Son Ted Audio Reel: 5770 Recording number: 2975 performed by Angelo Dornan at Elgin, New Brunswick first line of lyric: My son Ted was neat and trim, — July 1955

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: