Here I sit on Buttermilk Hill
And who can blame me for cryin' my fill
Ev'ry tear would turn a mill
Johnny’s gone for a soldier
Yes my love he’s gone to France
To try his fortune for to advance
If he comes back 'tis but a chance
Johnny’s gone for a soldier
His hair was black and his eyes were blue
His arms were strong and his words were true
I wish in my heart that I were with you
A blessing walk with you love
Me oh my I loved him so
It broke my heart to see him go
Only time will heal my woe
Johnny’s gone for a soldier
Here I sit on Buttermilk Hill
And who can blame me for cryin' my fill
Ev'ry tear would turn a mill
Johnny’s gone for a soldier
I'll sell my rod I'll sell my reel
Likewise I'll sell my spinning wheel
Buy my love a sword of steel
Johnny’s gone for a soldier
Dye my dress a burning red
And through the streets I'll earn my bread
For the lad that I love from me has fled
Johnny’s gone for a soldier
Here I sit on Buttermilk Hill
And who can blame me for cryin' my fill
Ev'ry tear would turn a mill
Johnny’s gone for a soldier
Quickly come to me, softly move,
I'll dye my dress a burning red
And through the streets I'll earn my bread
For the lad I love from me has fled
Johnny’s gone for a soldier
Collected from Porter Brigley
Queensland, Nova Scotia
Porter was sitting on his back steps cleaning mackerel while he sang this song. He was delighted to be asked to sing and did so enthusiastically, oblivious to people passing by.
Let Go Your Bowline
And it’s let go of your bowline
Stand by your sudden view
Go bridge your cook don’t dodge your head
You act just like a fool
The early year is rising
And the gin is getting low
And I hardly think we’ll get a drink
`Till we reach Buffalo
Ten days in and ten days out we run
Our ship for the want of wood and coal
We stuck her to the Black Ridge Rock
And knocked it quite a hole
We signaled to the driver
With his ripped pants and dirt
And he came on board and stogged a leak
With his heavy undershirt
Oh Sally’s in the poorhouse
And the rest are all in jail
And I’m the only son of a gun
That’s left to tell the tale
The early year is rising
And the gin is getting low
And I hardly think we’ll get a drink
`Till we reach Buffalo
And it’s let go of your bowline
Stand by your sudden view
Go bridge your cook, don’t dodge your head
You act just like a fool
The early year is rising
And the gin is getting low
And I hardly think we’ll get a drink
`Till we reach Buffalo
Collected from Otis Hubley
Seabright, Nova Scotia
Otis Hubley was one of the eight famous fishermen from Seabright. He loved to sing.
Stormy Weather Boys
Up turns the eel with his slippery tail
Saying “Damn your eyes captain it’s time to make sail”
And it’s windy weather boys
Stormy weather boys
When the wind blows we’re all together boys
Blow your winds westerly
Blow your winds blow
A jolly nor’wester how steady she goes
Up jumps the whale with his shiny back
Saying “Damn your eyes captain it’s time for to tack”
And it’s windy weather boys
Stormy weather boys
When the wind blows we’re all together boys
Blow your winds westerly
Blow your winds blow
A jolly nor’wester how steady she goes
Up jumps the shark with his two rows of teeth
Jumps in the rigging and loosens the sheet
And it’s windy weather boys
Stormy weather boys
When the wind blows we’re all together boys
Blow your winds westerly
Blow your winds blow
A jolly nor’wester how steady she goes
Up jumps the crab with his six crooked legs
“If you want to play cribbage boys I’ve got the pegs”
And it’s windy weather boys
Stormy weather boys
When the wind blows we’re all together boys
Blow your winds westerly
Blow your winds blow
A jolly nor’wester how steady she goes
Up turns the eel with his slippery tail
Saying “Damn your eyes captain it’s time to make sail”
And it’s windy weather boys
Stormy weather boys
When the wind blows we’re all together boys
Blow your winds westerly
Blow your winds blow
And it’s windy weather boys
Stormy weather boys
When the wind blows we’re all together boys
Blow your winds westerly
Blow your winds blow
A jolly nor’wester how steady she goes
Collected from Walter Roast
Lower East Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia
Walter sang songs while he plowed. He was very shy and lived alone. When Helen Creighton started visiting Walter regularly and collecting songs from him, he became a local celebrity. The whole town took pride in their small community that now was a source of Nova Scotia folk songs. Fairly late in life, Walter married a beautiful and fine wife.
The Twa Brothers
Will you go to the footing of the hills
Or to the marvelous hall
Or will you go to the merry green fields
To dance amongst them all
No I won’t go to the footing of the hills
Or to the marvelous hall
But I will go to the merry green fields
To dance amongst them all
Will you swim in the torrents and brooks of the dale
Or ascend the mighty tor
Will you cross the waves of the widest mere
To arrive on the other shore
No I will not swim in the water of the dale
Or ascend the mighty tor
But I will cross the waves of the widest mere
And arrive on the other shore
Will you go to the footing of the hills
Or to the marvelous hall
Or will you go to the merry green fields
To dance amongst them all
No I won’t go to the footing of the hills
Or to the marvelous hall
But I will go to the merry green fields
To dance amongst them all
Oh will you go to the footing of the hills
Or to the marvelous hall
Or will you go to the merry green fields
To dance amongst them all
Collected from Elizabeth Duncan
Woodside, Nova Scotia
Elizabeth shook hands with King George V when he visited her husband’s ship!
She often interjected jokes into the songs she sang, making them humorous.
The Sea Captain
There was a sea captain that followed the sea
Let the winds blow high or blow low boys
“I will die, I will die” was the sailor’s reply
“If I don’t get that maid from the shore, shore
If I don’t get that maid from the shore”
One night at the ocean he took her on board
The captain he gave her a share oh
He gave her a gun from the cabin below
And farewell to all sorrow and care, care
And farewell to all sorrow and care
The night being still and the water so calm
She sat at the stern of the ship oh
Her voice was so sweet and so neat and complete
She sang sailors and captain to sleep, sleep
She sang sailors and captain to sleep
She took off his jewels she took off his rings
She took off his jacket to wear oh
She took his broadsword for to make her an oar
And she paddled her way to the shore, shore
And she paddled her way to the shore
Oh were your men mad or were your men drunk
Or were your men deep in despair oh
But you let her roam all alone by the shore
She’s a maid once again on the shore, shore
She’s a maid once again on the shore
There was a sea captain that followed the sea
Let the winds blow high or blow low boys
“I will die, I will die” was the sailor’s reply
“If I don’t get that maid from the shore, shore
If I don’t get that maid from the shore”
Collected from Greta Heighton
River John, Nova Scotia
Greta was first heard singing ‘The Sea Captain’ at the age of fifteen, while sitting on a swing.
Also collected from Nathan Hatt
Middle River, near Chester, Nova Scotia
Nathan ran a mill and he learnt songs from men who brought their lumber to him. He was illiterate and the songs took the place of books for him. At the end of songs which were penned centuries earlier, he would describe the characters as though they were old friends.
Down in Old Ireland
It’s down in Old Ireland where I was born
In the city of Limerick all vanished and gone
To some distant island bound down as a slave
It was in my own country where I misbehaved
My own mother would often caution me
To leave off night walking shun bad company
“My son you are young they will lead you astray
You will think on my advice when I’m cold in the clay”
To all her advice I had lent no ear
And still carried on with my wicked career
Robbing by night and a-plotting by day
And never would listen to what she did say
Then I married a fair one and to dress her up nice
I again took to theft ‘gainst my mother’s advice
I was seized and convicted for bold robbery
Was taken transported to a penal colony
Seven years I had spent in that damn colony
Seven years was transported across the blue sea
But if I’d of had my love with me
Bound down in strong iron I’d think myself free
Now oft’ times I’ve wondered how women loves man
And more times I’ve wondered how men can love them
Robbing by night and a-plotting by day
Has caused me behind these prison walls for to lay
For they are deceitful you never can tell
I won’t take no other till she loves me right well
But now I am over to my own native shore
Which makes me think of my dear mother once more
It’s down in Old Ireland where I was born
In the city of Limerick all vanished and gone
To some distant island bound down as a slave
It was in my own country where I misbehaved
Collected from Freeman Young
East Petpeswick, Nova Scotia
Freeman was a bachelor and an inshore fisherman all his life. Besides singing, he also used to play the fiddle and compose waltzes.
Sailor Boy
Oh Papa build me a boat
That I may on the ocean float
To hail the ships as they pass by
And to enquire of my darling boy
A sailor’s life is a merry life
He’ll rob young girls of their heart’s delight
Then go and leave them to sigh and moan
No tongue can tell when he will return
As we were out on the Eastern Isle
We lost four men and your darling boy
And though he died he lived with joy
Because he knew you loved him so
Come all you sailors dress alike
Come all you sailors dress in white
And hoist your colors to half mast height
To help me mourn for my darling boy
The blue jacket he used to wear
His light blue eyes, his coal black hair
His lips were of the velvet fine
And often used to meet at mine
I’ll go home and write a song
I’ll write it true, I’ll write it long
At every line I’ll shed a tear
To be for you my sailor dear
Collected from Mrs. Chas. Kelley
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Mrs. Kelley heard this song sung as a chanty by the men of sailing vessels which frequented the port of Yarmouth.
The Eight Famous Fisherman
There’re eight famous fishermen noted for fame
They’re descendants of Adam and offspring of Cain
They live down in Seabright with local acclaim
They don’t make much money but they live just the same
They catch fish in the spring they catch fish in the fall
They catches the big fish and they catches the small
They goes out in the morning and baits up their trawl
And they’ll still be out fishing when caught in a squall
There’s old Eddy Deal standing there like a crane
With his mutton chopped eyebrow and his long shaggy mane
He looks rather wild and his eyes are aflame
But if the mackerel keep coming he’ll be getting quite tame
Tom Hubley salts mackerel and sings Scotch melodies
He sounds like a bullfrog that’s having a sneeze
His brother George is the splitting machine
It’s the tub and the table he stands in between
Now Byron and Gordon McDonald on shore
Are packing up mackerel while keeping rapport
Their eyes they are heavy and their fingers are sore
“If we don’t get rum we won’t pack any more!”
Otis Hubley gets up and he’ll sing us a song
It’s not very short and it’s not very long
The tune that he’s singing is one that I’ve sung
And he’s not doing bad for a man with one lung
Warden Redmond was out a fishing all night
It’s terrible, terrible those fish they won’t bite
And Harold well he is the boss of the gang
And brings his big hammer right down with a bang
Now there is Miss Creighton she feels rather sore
I don’t think she’ll come down to Seabright no more
She came down to Seabright a looking for tales
And all that she found were eight fish without scales
Now her heart is heavy and her feet they are sore
The sea gulls cry loudly and the billows they roar
And when she gets back to that old Dartmouth shore
I don’t think she’ll make a recording no more
Right torrel right torrel right torrel oh dey
Miss Creighton has traveled a very long way
And it cost her from one to two dollars a day
Right torrel right torrel Paddy whack fol the dey
Based on a song by Edward Deal
Seabright, Nova Scotia
Edward was a fisherman and gardener. He was also a veteran of the Great War, in which he was gassed. Being a shy man, few people knew that he sang.
My Irish Girl
Ruby were her lips
Silken was her hair
Costly were those robes of gold
My Irish girl did wear
Lovely was her smile
Her words were filled with care
All alone she left me here
My Irish girl so fair
Across the sea she went
On the waves so blue
All I can do is wonder if
My Irish girl is true
Ruby were her lips
Silken was her hair
Costly were those robes of gold
My Irish girl did wear
*Instrumentals
Captain O’Kane
By Turlough O’Carolan
Collected from Ruth Metcalfe
Louisbourg, Cape Breton Island.
Ruth learnt this song from her father, Captain Dan McPhee, and his friend Sol Jacobs, both of whom were well known in shipping circles all along the coast of Nova Scotia.
Silvy
Oh Silvy, Silvy all on one day
She dressed herself in men’s array
With a sword and pistol by her side
To meet her true love away did ride
She had not traveled far o’er the main
She met her true love on the plain
Stand and deliver young man she said
Or that cold clay it will be your bed
When he had delivered all his store
She said kind sir there is one thing more
That diamond ring that I see you wear
Deliver that and your life I’ll spare
That diamond ring that you see me wear
My life you’ll take before that I’ll spare
She being tender just like a dove
She rode away from her true love
Next day unto the garden green
Those two young lovers there were seen
He saw his watch hanging by her cloak
Which made him blush like any rose
Why do you blush at such a thing
I do not want your diamond ring
It was me that robbed you on the plain
Here take your watch and your gold again
Oh Silvy, Silvy all on one day
She dressed herself in men’s array
With a sword and pistol by her side
To meet her true love away did ride
Collected from Ben Henneberry
Devil’s Island, Nova Scotia
Ben sang while he fished and mended his nets. He also worked as a coxswain for a government lifeboat. Ben was taught many songs by shipwrecked sailors, and the few inhabitants of Devils Island built their homes with the rare and beautiful wood from the ship wrecks.
Madam, You Came Courting
Madam, Madam you came a courting
My kind favor for to gain
I will kindly entertain you
If you will not call me names
Laddie Laddie do, do come over
Laddie Laddie do, come today
Laddie Laddie do, do come over
Laddie Laddie do, come today
O Madam you're very saucy
O Madam you're hard to please
When the nights are cold and frosty
Go look out into the trees
Chorus
O Madam I've got ships on the ocean
O Madam I've got houses and land
If you will consent to marry
All shall go to your command
Chorus
What do you care for my ships on the ocean
What do you care for my houses and land
What do you care for my gold and silver
All you want is a fancy man
Chorus
Madam, Madam you came a courting
My kind favor for to gain
I will kindly entertain you
If you will not call me names
Collected from William Archibald (Uncle Bill) Gilkie
Sambro, Nova Scotia
William learnt these songs from his father, who in turn had learnt them from English soldiers stationed at Sambro many years ago. The soldiers would pass their long hours by going out with the fishermen in their boats. William kept the Sambro light with his wife and also fished.
Homeward Bound
We're homeward bound to Halifax town
Good-bye fare ye well
Good-bye fare ye well
We're homeward bound
We'll heave our anchor up from the bow
Good-bye fare ye well
Good-bye fare ye well
We'll heave our anchor up from the bow
Hurray my boys were homeward bound
We're homeward bound with our nine months pay
Good-bye fare ye well
Good-bye fare ye well
Our sails have been set and we're all under way
Hurray my boys we're homeward bound
The pretty young girls will all come and say
Good-bye fare ye well
Good-bye fare ye well
You're welcome back Jack with your nine months pay
Hurray my boys we're homeward bound
We'll drink and dance when we get on shore
Good-bye fare ye well
Good-bye fare ye well
When our money's all gone we will go get more
Hurray my boys we're homeward bound
Collected from William H. Smith
Liverpool, Nova Scotia
William was an old-time sailor who collected the largest known group of chanties in Canada. His son typed out the lyrics for him, and they can be found in the Dalhousie University library.
