Farewell to Nova Scotia
"Farewell to Nova Scotia" is a popular folk song from Nova Scotia of unknown authorship, collected by folklorist Helen Creighton. It is believed to have been written just prior to or during the First World War. "Farewell to Nova Scotia" brings the listener back to an age when Nova Scotia was renowned for "wooden ships and iron men". The song appears in the Penguin Book of Canadian Folk Songs. In 1808 a Glasgow newspaper printed "The Soldier's Adieu", attributed to Robert Tannahill. It has several lines and phrases in it that suggest it was a source of inspiration for the song.
Contents |
[edit] Lyrics
Chorus: Farewell to Nova Scotia, the sea-bound coast,
Let your mountains dark and dreary be.
For when I am far away on the briny ocean tossed,
Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me?
The sun was setting in the west,
The birds were singing on every tree.
All nature seemed inclined to rest
But still there was no rest for me.
Chorus
I grieve to leave my native land,
I grieve to leave my comrades all,
And my parents whom I love so dear,
And the bonnie, bonnie lass/lad that I do adore.
Chorus
The drums they do beat and the wars to alarm,
The captain calls, and I must obey.
So farewell, farewell to Nova Scotia's charms,
For it's early in the morning and I'm far, far away.
Chorus
I have three brothers and they are at rest,
Their hands are folded on their breast.
But a poor simple sailor just like me,
Must be tossed and driven on the dark blue sea.
Chorus
[edit] Notes
- 'lass' is sometimes sung "lassie" or (if the singer is female) "lad" or "laddie".
- 'farewell', in some renditions, is sung "fare-thee-well".
[edit] Renditions
Both the tune and lyrics are public domain, and many artists have released recordings of "Farewell to Nova Scotia", including The Irish Rovers, Ian and Sylvia Tyson, Anne Murray, Stompin' Tom Connors, the Celtic punk band Real McKenzies, Schooner Fare, Wicked Tinkers, Battlefield Band, Alex Beaton, Mitchell and Dusty Keeler, Donner Party Reunion, Moist, 70s/80s Irish band Oisin, Stan Rogers, Sons of Maxwell, as well as the Gaelic folk trio Na h-Òganaich on their album Scot-Free. It was recorded by the Czech group, Asonance, with the title of "Nové Skotsko" on their album "Čarodějnice z Amesbury." The Halifax CBC TV show "Singalong Jubilee" used Catherine McKinnon's version as the title theme.
