We have lots of information on this song, scattered over a number of threads. I think it's time for us to compile the best of the information here. This is an edited DTStudy thread, and all messages posted here are subject to editing and deletion.
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Here is the Digital Tradition entry on this song. It's unattributed. Can anybody tie down the source for this version? Are the lyrics an accurate transcription?
FAREWELL TO NOVA SCOTIA
The sun was setting in the west
The birds were singing on ev'ry tree
All nature seemed inclined to rest
But still there was no rest for me
Farewell to Nova Scotia, the sea-bound coast
Let your mountains dark and dreary be
And when I am far away on the briny oceans tossed
Will you ever heave a sigh and a wish for me?
I grieve to leave my native land
I grieve to leave my comrades all
And my aged parents whom I always held so dear
And the bonnie, bonnie lass that I do adore
The drums they do beat and the wars do alarm
The captain calls, we must obey
So farewell, farewell to Nova Scotia's charms
For it's early in the morning I am far, far away
I have three brothers and they are at rest
Their arms are folded on their breast
But a poor simple sailor just like me
Must be tossed and driven on the dark blue sea
@Canada @leaving
filename[ FARWELNS
TUNE FILE: FARWELNS
CLICK TO PLAY (the tune is exactly the same as the tune you'll find in Fowke's Penguin book - JRO)
SOF
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Here's the entry from the Traditional Ballad Index:
Farewell to Nova Scotia
DESCRIPTION: Even on a calm and beautiful night, the singer cannot rest. The wars force him to return to sea. He bids "Farewell to Nova Scotia, the sea-bound coast... When I am far away on the briny ocean tossed, will you ever heave a sigh and a wish for me?"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1950 (Creighton/Senior)
KEYWORDS: sea farewell Canada
FOUND IN: Canada(Mar)
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Fowke/Johnston, pp. 44-45, "Nova Scotia Song" (1 text, 1 tune)[Edith Fulton Fowke (Literary Editor) and Richard Johnston (Music Editor), Folk Songs of Canada (1954)]
Creighton/Senior, pp. 264-265, "Nova Scotia Song" (1 text (compilation), 1 tune) [Helen Creighton and Doreen H. Senior, Traditional Songs of Nova Scotia (1960)(sic)]
DT, FARWELNS*
Roud #384
File: FJ044Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index InstructionsThe Ballad Index Copyright 2003 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.
Note that the Traditional Ballad Index gives two dates for the Creighton/Senior book. is one incorrect, or is the book that was indexed a later 1960 edition?
www.virtualmuseum.ca has a clip of "Farewell to Nova Scotia" Sung by Walter Roast, East Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1943-44. Recorded by Helen Creighton. (CMC CR-F-15, #1)
The virtual museum page has the same lyrics found in Fowke's Penguin Book of Canadian Folk Songs (below), with the addition of one workd in the first verse:The sun was setting in the west
The birds were singing on every tree
All nature seemed inclined for to rest
But still there was no rest for me.
Masato found this page (click), which says Ann Greenough, of Petpeswick, first sang “The Nova Scotia Song” for Helen Creighton in 1933.
Thread #42811 Message #623233
Posted By: masato sakurai
08-Jan-02 - 05:37 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Farewell to Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Farewell to novia scotia
Other pages on the song and Helen Creighton:
Farewell to Nova Scotia, sung by Walter Roast (East Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1943-44), recorded by Helen Creighton.
Women in Canadian Music: Helen Creighton, with "Farewell to Nova Scotia" (sound clip) by Catherine McKinnon.
Path of Heroes: Helen Creighton, with video clip (Creighton, Songs of Nova Scotia).
A Sigh and a Wish (the story of pioneer folklorist Helen Creighton and of the enduring appeal of her remarkable collections of song and story), where Lennie Gallant sings "Farewell to Nova Scotia" (sound clip). Video is available (CLICK HERE).
~Masato
Barry Taylor's MIDI arrangement of "Farewell to Nova Scotia" is here (click).