“The smooth bosom of the St. Lawrence teemed with life and gaiety; ships, schooners, and brigs passed the shores of the island in rapid succession, while several large canoes traversed the river in all directions, filled with Canadians of both sexes, clad in their holiday clothes, and cheerfully keeping time with their paddles to the boat song; the whole being highly calculated to produce a striking and novel effect on the eye and ear of a European….

...We knocked out the stern-port; several rafts of fine oak were brought alongside, and a stevedore, with a gang of thirteen Canadians, came on board, who commenced stowing the timber in the hold, while our own crew was employed hoisting it in. I was and still am highly amused by the lively strains of the different crews, while at their work; the whole port seems a scene of bustle and cheerfulness: the sounds of 'Haul, boys, haul!'   'Pull away, my jolly boys!'   'Haul, Nancy, O!' 'Hurra, for pretty Nancy, O!' resound from thousands of voices.

...The ships decked with their gayest colours; while the Canadian boat-song floated harmoniously over the bosom of the glassy stream. Expressing my admiration of its melody, Mr. C. politely sang it, his son and daughter adding a cheerful chorus. 'Twas thus we spent the happy moments, until 2½ P.M., when we landed on the island.

...But, hark! I hear the pleasing sound of the boat-song, and the regular splashing of, the paddles. With such a prospect, and music too, one might almost fancy one's self in the poets' famed Elysium; every thing around me, but the troublesome flies, invites to soothing melancholy and pensive contemplation.”
[The Fugitives; Or, a Trip to Canada, Chiefly Founded on Facts, Lane, 1830]