Search This Blog

Monday, April 19, 2010

Folksong: Farewell to Nova Scotia

This Term's Folksong:
Farewell to Nova Scotia


photo by philly_j

While the exact author is unknown, Helen Creighton is the folklorist who first published it.  It seems to have been inspired by the poem The Soldier's Adieu, by Robert Tannahill.  You'll want to read the wiki HERE, but the Canadian Encyclopedia actually has more detailed information.  I'm not sure why, but a several of the folksongs are actually Canadian... not that I have a problem with that... [ahem.]  But AO having mainly American adherents I wonder why we don't choose American folksongs... hmmm.  Well, I don't mind either way.  Just sayin'.

Listen and learn the song:


This version is in the Celtic Punk genre and frankly, I didn't hate it... but, it was different.


Ryan's Fancy - Farewell to Nova Scotia Sing-a-long! - This is my kids first pick because they say the music is more lively.  The instruments definitely sound more folkish if you know what I mean ;) I liked that it was a kid-safe page with no inappropriate images.  I also like that the page has the sheet music with more than just the guitar chords + the lyrics, so you can follow along as the song plays.


Free downloads:

I've made a printable of the lyrics which match the version by the Irish Rovers linked above.
Right click HERE and 'save file as...' to your computer.

Go to this page for a FREE mp3 download of Farewell to Nova Scotia by jeez And Cheez And Kineez.  

6 comments:

Jeanne said...

This idea of Americans wanting to do mainly American stuff always amuses me!!

We Australianise AO, sure, but we mostly learn folksongs from other parts of the world. I love that the world is our oyster - that we can learn about America one term and Canada the next and Australia the next. That idea of being part of the big wide world really appeals to me. (Not saying that I like being 'of the world' mind you, in the Christian sense of the word).

Just sayin', of course!

Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel) said...

We haven't taken the time to learn the folk songs because it seems that there is just so much else to do that I feel that we should focus on the basics first but I think we are going to learn this one. We all like it. Thank you for posting these links. We really like the first version but probably will go with Irish Rovers version- it's slower and easier to follow :)

amy in peru said...

Yes Jeanne. I know. I like that aspect of globalization as well (the fact that we CAN learn about all the other countries so easily)... :) AO being American, I guess I just had the impression that the purpose of folksongs was kind of like part of history... like the oral tradition part. So, being a curriculum with American history at it's focus why do they have Canadian folksongs? (I have NOTHING against Canadian folksongs!) However, if the purpose of the folksongs is exposure to the oral tradition of history in general, then why not sprinkle it with all different cultures like you do (at least the English speaking ones)? I think that would be AWESOME! I guess, my questioning comes more from my ponderings over what the purpose of studying folksongs is rather than it having to be 'American'. Of the Americans I know, I would tend to think of myself less 'American' than others in that, first of all I know another culture intimately (heheh.) and I LOVE learning about and exposing ourselves to as many different cultures as possible...
so there! hahah!

amy

PS. Matter of fact, I think that will be the MOST interesting part of heaven that we will know and be able to communicate without inhibition with all the interesting different people of the world!

amy in peru said...

well, the MOST interesting part aside from KNOWING Jesus face-to-face of course... oh I can't wait!

amy in peru said...

@ Blossom,
I really like the first one too. Especially after becoming a little more familiar with the song; I can pick out the words a little better. It's just not quite as folkish :)
Our folksong study consists of: playing the folksong on the computer once/twice a week. It's as simple as that. My boys have asked me to print off the lyrics and they are actually trying to memorize it... but that's on their own initiative, not because I suggested it or am requiring it. It makes me grin to hear them singing folksongs away off in their rooms. They also like to try and imitate the accents ;)

amy

Socialbook92 said...

 
wellcome to Monet Prints selection of Canvas art, giclee and canvas prints for a cheap price. Our Art is Better than GOOD!

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Blog Archive