Nova Scotia Archives

Helen Creighton: Folklife

Helen Creighton Audio Reel 5851

Nightingale, The

00:00:03 - Doran's Ass Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3258 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: One early night in last November — August 1956
00:01:01 - Shenandoah Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3259 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia — August 1956
00:04:26 - Stormalong Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3260 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Down off Cape Horn where the wild winds blow, — August 1956
00:06:27 - Leave Her Johnny, Leave Her Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3261 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: She's a leaky ship and a lousy crew, — August 1956
00:07:35 - Blow Boys Blow Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3262 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: A Yankee ship sailed down the river, — August 1956
00:09:05 - Spank Weed, The Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3263 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: There's a corner in the garden and my nurse won't tell me where — August 1956
00:10:51 - Cruise of the Bigler, The Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3264 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: 'Twas early in October I chanced to get a sight — August 1956
00:13:42 - Loss of the Lady Elgin Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3265 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Proudly she swept the harbour, — August 1956
00:14:54 - Heights of Alma, The Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3266 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Come all good British lend an ear — August 1956
00:19:53 - Lakawana Spooner Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3267 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Here we are to Slakawana Spooner, — August 1956
00:21:10 - Pull Back Dress Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3268 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I met my love on Fullerton Street, — August 1956
00:22:10 - Banks of Claudy Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3269 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: As I walked out one evening — August 1956
00:26:24 - Sir Neil and Glengyle Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3270 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: In yonder isle beyond Argyle — August 1956
Nightingale, The Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3271 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia — August 1956
00:28:36 - Bold Fisherman, The Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3272 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Oh once there was a bold fisherman — August 1956
00:29:54 - Said the Soldier Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3273 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Said the soldier to the sailor — August 1956
00:30:20 - Old Horse Audio Reel: 5851 Recording number: 3274 performed by Capt. Charles Cates at Bedford, Halifax County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Old horse, old horse how came you here? — 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: Mf289-686 PDF Mf289-687 PDF