copied from the "help" forumSubject: Shanties, migration, and work songs; north USA From: alangiles@btopenworld.com Date: 16-Jan-02 - 11:48 PM
There are lots of work songs from the USA which relate to sea, river and shore, many of which I already know, but they are mainly from modern songsmiths; these songs are great; but my major interest now is in northern Atlantic USA songs and their own stories about work, fishing, trade, and also for the the part that they played in the northern end of the "underground railroad". I believe that many escaping slaves actually left the USA via the north-west seaboard of the USA or headed north for Canada. Anything relating to Novia Scotia and the South Coast of England would be particularly welcome as I understand that there is a thousand year-old connection between my native port of Poole in Dorset, England and Nova Scotia. I cannot see why such an association should have formed, but historians on both sides of the pond say it is so. It is possible that the slave trade through Bristol, England, may have been a part of this.
All replies are welcomed, and I will reply personally.
Regards,
Alan.