Here are a few comments that I made to Clary in response:


Hi Clary -

Thanks for the information and background on the song. It is interesting that while we have been talking about it as a "Cape Breton song", Helen collected both her versions in the Chezzetcook area - so maybe we've been looking at it from the wrong angle - especially when you take into consideration the suggestion on the part of Dennis Williams that Cape Bretoners might actually be offended by the song (of course, his remark can be interpreted in many ways as well).

Now I'm curious as to Edith Fowke's basis for calling it the "national anthem of Cape Breton workers" ...

I've posted your remarks on Mudcat, and now we'll see what further speculation, memories, apocrypha, quaint theories, and astonishing facts emerge ...