Cape Breton Songs?

Subject: Cape Breton Songs?
From: Alasdair
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 05:37 AM

Hi there! Can anyone recommend a good CD for learning Cape Breton songs?

Cheers

Al

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: Bardford
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 12:07 PM

Alasdair,

What in particular are you looking for? A good resource might be found here:

Charlie's Music Store in Cheticamp

Good luck,
Bardford

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 01:09 PM

Alasdair,

Are you looking for particular songs?

There are literally tons of Cape Breton songs. One of the major songwriters, Allister MacGillivray has written a lot of them. He has a compilation recording which I happen to be listening to at the moment with 13 of his songs, starting with Song For the Mira, Sea People, Coal Town Road, Away From the Roll of the Sea, Songs of Home, Song For Peace, Bye Bye My Island, Sea People, You'll Be Home Again, Here's To Song and a few newer ones. They're all sung by a number of different performers.

Song for the Mira, for instance, has been covered by over 100 different performers in a number of different languages. The recording is called Songs From the Mira.

There is also a songbook of the same name available.

Mira Music

Tell us what sort of song you're looking for.

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 01:51 PM

Also, Allister published several other books available at the Mira Music site. One of them is chock full of hopefully the type of songs you're looking for::-

Cape Breton Songbook Collection

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 02:56 PM

Also, if you do a Lyrics & Knowledge Search for Cape Breton, you will find a lot of threads covering Cape Breton songs here in the Mudcat!

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: Alasdair
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 04:09 AM

Thanks for the help! I'm thinking of making a trip to Cape Breton in the not-too-distant, and would like to pre-familiarise myself with songs that I'm likely to hear....

Cheers

Al

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 08:16 AM

Hope you're coming during Celtic Colours. Best Festival, bar none

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: ToulouseCruise
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 12:29 PM

I'm fortunate enought to be travelling to Cape Breton in a week or so, on the Labor Day weekend... Unfortunately I won't be doing much touring as far as festivals and such, as I am driving a support vehicle for a team of cyclists who will be touring the majestic Cabot Trail... it does look like it will be a stay near Baddeck the night of the 29th, then clockwise around the trail, camping at the entrance of the Park near Cheticamp on the 30th (my birthday, whee!), and then moving on towards Intervale/Inverness the next night (can never remember what it is called), with the final stay on the 1st back at the KOA in Baddeck... if anyone has any recommendations for those areas/those dates, I would appreciate any info, either here or via PM.

Brian

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 01:07 PM

Guess What! I'm going off to Celtic colours this year --SGOINNEALLLLLL!

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 01:24 PM

Try http://perso.wanadoo.fr/per.kentel/

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 01:39 PM

Who is that, Guest?

Brian. Have a great trip. For Music during the time you're here, have a look at this site CB Choices

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 01:42 PM

Guest. If you're coming to Celtic Colours and attending any of the events I am planning to be at, PLEASE say hello:

George's Celtic Colours Events

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 04:02 PM

Looks like a busy week for you George! Our paths may cross at Whycocomagh or Christmas Island.
            Sandy

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 04:04 PM

Don't forget I want to hear you singing your song.

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: Alasdair
Date: 22 Aug 03 - 07:31 AM

I don't think I'll make it to the Colours this year, but am trying to get my particular brance of the Stewart clan geared up for next.

Al

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: postman
Date: 22 Aug 03 - 07:39 AM

A good collection is called "Traditional Music from Cape Breton Island" (Nimbus Records). It has music played by many of the best Cape Breton fiddlers. I don't know where you can find it now. Or you could by a cd of Natalie MacMaster or Jerry Holland - two of the best IMO.

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 22 Aug 03 - 08:12 AM

Postman, those are songs he's asking for. Not tunes.

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 22 Aug 03 - 08:16 AM

Or at least that was my assumption.

Sorry to hear, Alasdair. Hope to see you next year then.

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: Strupag
Date: 22 Aug 03 - 08:14 PM

Hi George
Just checked my mudcats and found that I was the guest who is screaming SGIONNEALL
Don't know where my briscait (cookie) went!
I've got heaps of friends over there so I just can't wait.

Strupag

(Andy Mitchell)

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: Peg
Date: 22 Aug 03 - 09:25 PM

oh, how I wish I could make it to Celtic Colours this year! But I am moving and also travelling this fall and probably can't manage it money-wise...but maybe next year! It sounds like such a great festival. I really do want to visit Nova Scotia and try out some of my Gaelic song repertoire...

George, do check out the band Le Vent du Nord, they are from Quebec and they'll be playing there. I loved   them at Old Songs.

Oh, and the Helen Creighton book of Songs from Nova Scotia is wonderful.

peg

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 22 Aug 03 - 09:42 PM

Let me know when you're coming Peg!

Thanks Strupag. Say hi when you get here.

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: Peg
Date: 23 Aug 03 - 04:24 PM

I will, Geroge, you can bet on that! It will be a pleasure to meet a fellow Cape Breton music enthusiast.
One can take the ferry from Portland, Maine, so that   is probably how I would come.
peg

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 23 Aug 03 - 09:08 PM

WHile you plans may be set I would reccomend doing the trail counter-clockwise, seems to me the scenery gets better that way, you end with some of the more spectacular views, the other way it peters out a bit, still any way you do it it will be spectacular.
Nick

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: mg
Date: 23 Aug 03 - 10:57 PM

IS WAYdown in east cape breton where theyt knit the socks and mittens from Cape Breton? It is a truly wonderful song. mg

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 12:25 AM

I agree with Nick. Going widdershins is the best way to see the scenery. This means leaving for the Cabot Trail from the Ingonish side, heading towards Cheticamp on the other side of the island.

The reason for this is......

As the passenger, going the other way, all you see is the cliff face out your window. You have to look OVER the shoulder of the person driving. If you're driving by yourself, you're in the middle of the road so it doesn't matter so much. However, you'd still be able to see OVER the cliff's edge much better than across the whole lane of asphalt!

Peg, btw, I'm not just a "Cape Breton music enthusiast". I'm the real thing. A Caper living on the mainland. Gaelic 'R' Us!

Alasdair.

Assuming songs you might hear in the bars, we'll start with:

Sonny's Dream
Nova Scotia Song/Farewell to Nova Scotia
Barrett's Privateers
45 Years
I'se the b'y
Black Velvet Band
Wild Colonial Boy
Jack Was Every Inch a Sailor
Will You Come Away/Wild Mountain Thyme
Song For the Mira/Out on the Mira
Maggie/When You and I Were Young
Black Is the Colour
Red Is the Rose
Roseville Fair
Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary's
Mary Ellen Carter
Northwest Passage
Heading For Halifax
Raglan Road
Star of the County Down
Old Triangle
Raglan Road
Whiskey in the Jar
Wraggle Taggle Gypsy

That's some of them. Most, if not all, are found here at the Mudcat.

IF you're looking for more specific songs about Nova Scotia/Cape Breton, I'll have to think on that. BTw, there are tons more I probably have forgotten.

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 03:05 PM

Thread creep has taken us to the Cabot Trail so please allow me a comment or two.
It is a beautiful drive in either direction. If you have been one way go the reverse next time. Only go on a clear day; I have watched many tour buses travelling through pea soup fog, and have wondered why they bother.
The most beautiful places of all are bypassed. Take a side trip to Bay St. Lawrence and Meat Cove. Do not follow the Cabot Trail through the park between Cape North and Neils Harbour. Instead take the shore road through Smelt Brook and White Point. This will take some extra time but you won't be sorry......
         Sandy

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 05:11 PM

Don't forget that if you take the road up the west coast of Cape Breton, and then break right to head towards Baddeck. There are some excellent views/lookoffs on the way towards Baddeck. Now, when you get past Vi's and Whycocomagh, there is a turn to the right, to take you down to Iona. I highly recommend getting into Iona. Either at the Highland Village, or the Inn next to it. Or just a bit further to the Legion. IF you are there near sunset, STICK around. When the sun is setting, look over the lake, and you will see WHY it's name the Arm of Gold. Quite a striking picture.

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: ToulouseCruise
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 02:27 PM

George,
Just looking over your song list... my duo does a smattering of traditional along with classic rock and some pop, and I am proud to say that besides our Newfoundland (read: Great Big Sea) songs, that we cover off the first six songs, along with Mary Ellen Carter and Whiskey in the Jar. Makes me feel right special, eh?

I'll be hitting Baddeck Friday night, Cheticamp Saturday night, camping at Intervale (?) Sunday, and then back into Baddeck Monday afternoon to start the trip home... foolish friends with me are bicycling the trail, I'll stick to the air conditioned support van, thank you very much!

Brian

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 03:15 PM

Toulouse Cruise,

Have a look at Marcellin's CB Choices

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: Alasdair
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 10:06 AM

Thansk to everyone for contributing to this thread. Thanks especially to George for giving me a preliminary song list of which, thankfully, I know enough to feel familiar but not so many that I'll have nothing to work with.

Slainte everyone, hope you have a great time at the Colours.

Al

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 01:56 PM

Enjoy your trip, Alasdair.

We'll have a great time.

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 03:20 PM

Well hello there,what a wonderful web site you have to share with us lonely Cape Bretoner living acros the country.Mom and the fanmily are having a blast going thru all these songs,what memeries but I have a challenge for you now my friend .an unfortuate thing happened and we were wondering if in anyway you could help us .We are originally from Point Edward,small farming community on the shore across from the North Sydney harbor.In the early 60's my mother Patsy Grant(married name Doucette) recorded a song written by her friend Margareet Mason (from Sydney) wrote.It was called "Our Cape Breton isle".it was played on the radio station CJCB many times.The song starts out ""we all know about the beauty of our cape breton isle as we drive along the highway thru country mile on mile"".the problem mom's 78 record was distroyed and at her age she is struggling to remember the words .unfortunately her friend that wrote the song has passed on.if there is anyone oout there that can help us it would be wonderful,mom's birthday is coming up and i would love to surprise her and sing the song on stage to her.the song is set to the same air as the song called geesha girl.Many thanks forwarded for any attemp you try to help us .Have a wonderful year.

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 04:01 PM

We'll see what we can do, Darlene.

I don't know the song, but we'll see if we can find someone who does.

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From:
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 04:35 PM

I don't know anyone at CJCB, but I do know people at CBC in Sydney. Also I've asked Allister MacGillivray. We'll see what happens.

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: pyewacket
Date: 21 Sep 03 - 05:39 PM

Dear George:
I very much enjoyed your posting of September 18 about Cape Breton. My wife and I are leaving Wednesday for Sarnia where we will catch the train to Nova Scotia. We intend to spend time on PEI and now some time in Cape Breton. Some years ago we drove through Cheticamp and greatly admired the Catholic Church there. We happened to meet a fellow who ran a local bookstore and he invited us to tour the church. It was a very impressive building but according to the priest
it was becoming too expensive to maintain and it's future was uncertain!
We also hope to take the train called Bras D'or. I wonder if you are familiar with it?

Subject: RE: Cape Breton Songs?
From: pyewacket
Date: 21 Sep 03 - 06:07 PM

Dear George:
I very much enjoyed your posting of September 18 about Cape Breton. My wife and I are leaving Wednesday for Sarnia where we will catch the train to Nova Scotia. We intend to spend time on PEI and now some time in Cape Breton. Some years ago we drove through Cheticamp and greatly admired the Catholic Church there. We happened to meet a fellow who ran a local bookstore and he invited us to tour the church. It was a very impressive building but according to the priest
it was becoming too expensive to maintain and it's future was uncertain!
We also hope to take the train called Bras D'or. I wonder if you are familiar with it?