No, no, I am not leaving Nova Scotia, I actually never been there. But my brother PJ went to Halifax recently, discovered this song and shared it with me, suggesting I'd put it on the blog when I'd feel like it. I loved it and decided that I would upload it tonight, sung by the Irish Rovers. They have perfect voice for this kind of song.
I do have a bit of history with Nova Scotia, even if I never went there. My great-grandfather was born there. His father was a sailor man, his wife had died in childbirth. He gave the baby in adoption/foster care to a family in Quebec City. So the baby grew up there. He kept his family name of Archibald, saw his father only once in a while, then he married a Quebec girl who gave birth to many little Archibalds, including my grandfather (the father of my mum). This family ancestry may explain why so many of us, my grandfather and myself included, became so Anglophile. Anyway, I often wonder about this Archibald sailor, and this song makes me think of me. It could have been written for him.
Je connaissais déjà la chanson, mais je me rappelle d'une version chantée me semble par le groupe Great Big Sea. Anyway, comme folklore probablement datant de la Première Guerre mondiale, ça rentre au poste.
ReplyDeletei love nova scotia. i find it hard to decide which part to go to.
ReplyDeleteThe Annapolis Valley is worth the wine tour. I highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favourite Canadian folk songs. I learned to sing it 50 years ago when I was a little girl in the school glee club. In a couple of weeks, My Rare One and I are going down to the maritimes on holiday. We're touring Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and then over to Cape Breton Island. I've been to Nova Scotia before, but all the rest will be new to me.
ReplyDeleteIts lovely, very celtic and a nice connection to the old country.
ReplyDeleteLove the music! Would be fun to plan a trip to Nova Scotia!
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