Nova Scotia Archives

Helen Creighton: Folklife

Helen Creighton Audio Reel 5810

00:00:05 - Blackbird, The Audio Reel: 5810 Recording number: 3085 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: If I were a blackbird, I'd whistle and sing — 1956
00:00:56 - Cruel Mother, The Audio Reel: 5810 Recording number: 3086 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: A lady stood in her Father's hall, — 1956
00:03:00 - Tam O'Shanters' Lament (MacGregor's Lament) Audio Reel: 5810 Recording number: 3087 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Ahone er-rie, ahone er-rie, — 1956
00:05:02 - Bonnie Wee Thing Audio Reel: 5810 Recording number: 3088 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Bonnie wee thing, darling wee thing — 1956
00:05:47 - Sally Munro Audio Reel: 5810 Recording number: 3089 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I wrote my love a letter — July 1956
00:07:22 - Young Munro (Charlie Akhem) Audio Reel: 5810 Recording number: 3090 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I don't want your silks and satins, — July 1956
00:08:27 - There's a Curse on Gold Audio Reel: 5810 Recording number: 3091 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: There's a curse on gold and on silver too, — July 1956
00:10:17 - Dark Eyed Sailor, The Audio Reel: 5810 Recording number: 3092 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: 'Twas of a comely young maiden fair — July 1956
00:11:17 - Day I Left the Old Plantation, The Audio Reel: 5810 Recording number: 3093 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: On the day that I left the old plantation — July 1956
00:12:56 - Hip, Hip Mr. Carpenter Audio Reel: 5810 Recording number: 3094 performed by John O’Neill at Ship Harbour, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: 'Hip hip Mr. Carpenter, how deep is this water?' — July 1956
00:13:55 - Bonny Ca' Laddie For Me, A Audio Reel: 5810 Recording number: 3095 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: On a mossy bank Jenny was sitting, — July 1956
00:15:28 - Wedding at Renowes, The Audio Reel: 5810 Recording number: 3096 performed by Isaac Doyle at West Jeddore, Halifax County, Nova Scotia — July 1956
00:18:07 - Ghostly Sailors, The Audio Reel: 5810 Recording number: 3097 performed by Isaac Doyle at West Jeddore, Halifax County, Nova Scotia — July 1956
00:22:54 - Way Down In Old Virginny Audio Reel: 5810 Recording number: 3098 performed by Isaac Doyle at West Jeddore, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Big pig, little pig, a root a hog a dye O, — July 1956
00:23:49 - Ghost Story Audio Reel: 5810 Recording number: 3099 performed by Isaac Doyle at West Jeddore, Halifax County, Nova Scotia — July 1956

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: Mf289-642 PDF Mf289-643 PDF