Nova Scotia Archives

Helen Creighton: Folklife

Helen Creighton Audio Reel 5874

I Am A Boy From Africa

I Am A Boy From Africa Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3378 performed by Whylie Grant at Gabarus, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I am a boy from Africa, — July 1957
00:02:02 - In Canso Strait Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3379 performed by William J. McDonald at Gabarus, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: In the Straits of Canso we now do lie — July 1957
00:05:39 - I'm Not As Young As I Used To Be Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3380 performed by William J. McDonald at Gabarus, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Young folks come listen to my song — July 1957
00:08:07 - Barbara Allan Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3381 performed by William J. McDonald at Gabarus, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: It was early early in the spring — July 1957
00:13:42 - Three Crows Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3382 performed by William J. McDonald at Gabarus, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: There were three crows sat on a tree — July 1957
00:15:37 - Molly, Lovely Molly Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3383 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I'm sitting by my cottage door spinning, spinning, — July 1957
00:17:02 - I Am A Tinker Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3384 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I am a tinker, I tinker metal, — July 1957
00:18:08 - Tear From My Lady Love, A Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3385 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: She seemed to think me a boy above — July 1957
00:19:28 - Jolly Roving Tar Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3386 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Come down unto the riverside, — July 1957
00:20:29 - Old Man Came Courting Me, An Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3387 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: An old man came courting me, courting me, — July 1957
00:20:56 - Cuckoo's Nest, The Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3388 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: Hi the cuckoo ho the cuckoo — July 1957
00:22:15 - Down By Yon Green Ducan (Bushes) Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3389 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia — July 1957
00:22:48 - Margaret and John Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3390 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: ['Where are you going my handsome little Johnny,] — July 1957
00:23:24 - I'll Never Marry an Old Man Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3391 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I'll never marry an old man, — July 1957
00:24:09 - Girls of Tasmania, The Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3392 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: The girls of Tasmania they dress very neat — July 1957
00:25:00 - Tall Story of Selling Stove Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3393 performed by Charles Bagnall at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia — July 1957
00:26:41 - Story of Newfoundland Man Who Quit Smoking Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3394 performed by Ruth Metcalfe at Louisbourg, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia — July 1957
00:28:21 - I Married A Scolding Wife Audio Reel: 5874 Recording number: 3395 performed by Lillian Crewe Walsh at Glace Bay, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia first line of lyric: I married a scolding wife oh some twenty years ago, — July 1957

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: Mf289-713 PDF Mf289-714 PDF