Nova Scotia Archives

Helen Creighton: Folklife

Helen Creighton Audio Reel 5850

00:00:03 - Never Take the Horseshoe From the Door Audio Reel: 5850 Recording number: 3248 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: There's a story handed down from Irish history — August 1956
00:02:56 - Captain Kidd Audio Reel: 5850 Recording number: 3249 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: My Name was Captain Kidd as I sailed, as I sailed, — August 1956
00:07:27 - Castles in the Air Audio Reel: 5850 Recording number: 3250 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: A bonny bonny bairn sits pokin' in the aise, — August 1956
00:10:00 - Story of Life and Death Among the Talaylurit Tribe Audio Reel: 5850 Recording number: 3251 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia — August 1956
00:16:50 - Alphabet Song (Sailor's) Audio Reel: 5850 Recording number: 3252 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: A is the anchor that holds our bold ship, — August 1956
00:21:20 - Carrion Crow, The Audio Reel: 5850 Recording number: 3253 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: An old carrion crow was sitting on an oak, — August 1956
00:24:05 - C.P.R. Song Audio Reel: 5850 Recording number: 3254 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Oh a life on the prairie shack — August 1956
00:27:05 - Bold Mannon Audio Reel: 5850 Recording number: 3255 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Bonl Mannon went to sea one day, — August 1956
00:29:39 - Four Robbers, The Audio Reel: 5850 Recording number: 3256 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia — August 1956
00:30:37 - Banks of Newfoundland, The Audio Reel: 5850 Recording number: 3257 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Overhaul, overhaul, on your Davy tackle fall, — August 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: Mf289-684 PDF Mf289-685 PDF