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Folk Song Subject & Master Index

Thesaurus

 
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Results

Subject term Sea captains

Click on the Roud Number to
search for variants of the song
  • Roud No
    29060 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    St John's (Newfoundland) / Petty Harbour Maddox Cove (Newfoundland) / Ferryland (Newfoundland) / Fishermen / Sea captains / Grandmothers / Cod / Fir trees / Arches / Marching bands / Seal hunting / Whaling / Clothes / Muskets / Boats / Ships / Hearths (domestic) / Bread / Celebrations / Shooting / Bravery / Nostalgia
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A reminiscence of life in Newfoundland in past times: the clothes worn by fishers and sealers, the bravery of the old-time sealing captains and their crews, and the sealing muskets and powder horns. Gone are the Petty Harbour whaleboats and the Ferryland boats, and their skippers. Gone is the ship, Ellen, and its captain, Stephen Kane, carrying a load of codfish. Gone is the open fireplace, where grandmother used to bake bread. Gone are the celebrations in St John's, Newfoundland, when arches were made of fir branches, Bennett's Band played for society marches, and guns were shot off in celebration. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 2 Tape 21A Track 6
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1 / Female (Elderly) x 1
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/21A-06_51.htm
  • Roud No
    V44600 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    St John's (Newfoundland) / Seal hunting / Ships / Sea captains / Praise of local men / Returning
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A song of praise for the captains and crews of the sealing ships, Grand Lake and Virginia Lake, returning to St. John's, Newfoundland, from hunting seals on the northern ice floes. Both ships are heavy-laden with seal pelts and fat. [MET]
    Source
    Old home week songster (1904). [St. John's], Newfoundland: Herald Job Print. pp. 21-22.
    Characters
    Unspecified
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Herald Job Print
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/5...
  • Roud No
    18252 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Gloucester (Massachusetts) / Grand Banks of Newfoundland / Bay of Islands (Newfoundland) / Dutch people / Fishermen / Sea captains (fishing) / Ships / Rowing boats / Sea storms / Death at sea / Searching
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A fishing vessel from Gloucester, Massachusetts, sets sail for the Grand Banks off of Newfoundland. At Bay of Islands, Newfoundland, they buy bait from the ship, Peerless, captained by a Dutchman, and sail on to the Banks. There, they lower the dories and begin fishing, but a storm arises, and twelve fishermen disappear when their dories capsise. The captain searches all day, but to no avail. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 1 Tape 15 Track 4
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 14
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD1/15-04.htm
  • Roud No
    6348 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Lighthouse keepers / Wives / <Husbands> / <Sons> / <Sea captains> / Lighthouses / Seal hunting / Ice floes / Accidental death / Grief / Prayer / Bravery / Praise of local women / Duty (virtue)
    Subject date
    1880-04 / April 1880 (GEST, no date).
    Synopsis
    A lighthouse keeper, his son and a helper leave his wife to hunt seals on the sea ice. The wind shifts and drives the ice away from shore. The men pray for rescue, but are never seen again. The wife keeps the lighthouse beacon burning for four months, until a steamship approaches the lighthouse. The wife tells the captain what occurred, and he asks what she did after the loss. She replies that she kept the light burning. The narrator praises the woman as an example that all should follow in keeping to their duty to God, and keeping “our lights aglow” until we reach Heaven. [MET]
    Source
    Greenleaf, E. B. and Mansfield, G. Y., eds. (1933). Ballads and sea songs of Newfoundland. Reprint 1968. Hatboro, PA: Folklore Associates. pp. 292-293.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 4 / Female (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    GEST (no date). 'The Bird Rocks'. GEST songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. [online]. Available at: http://gestsongs.com/15/birdrocks.htm [Accessed 29 November 2018]
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://gestsongs.com/15/birdrocks.htm
  • Roud No
    560 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws O28
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Ships / <Britons> / <Sea captains> / <Bo'suns> / <Lips> / <Battles> / <Cannons> / <Ports> / Sweethearts / Kissing / True love / Parted lovers / Susan / William / Fidelity / Tears / Farewells
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    Susan comes on board a ship seeking William. Hearing her voice, he slides down a rope to the deck, kisses away her tears, and promises to be faithful to her wherever he goes. The ship prepares to leave, and Susan waves a sad farewell from her boat [Laws 1957, p.239]. [In indexed copy] Black-eyed Susan comes to the Downs, where the Fleet is moored, asking for her sweetheart, Sweet William. He hears her voice and comes to her, vows to remain true, and says that love will keep him safe in battle. The ship is about to sail; she bids a tearful adieu. [RAS]
    Source
    Black-eyed Susan [sleeve notes]. In: Pardon, W. 2000. Put a Bit of Powder on it, Father [CD]. Stroud: Musical Traditions Records. MTCD305-6, Pp.16-17. Track 1/10.
    Characters
    Female (Adult) x 1 / Male (Adult) x 1 / <Male (Adult) 1 +>
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    This song could be the progenitor of an important group, the 'Unrecognised Returning Lover Songs' which include the broken token songs. Written by John Gay in 1720, with its tune by 1730, it quickly became very popular in broadsides which the singers collected in Edwardian England took up. See Wood (2021 pp. 87-89). [PRW]
    Notes

    Written by John Gay as Sweet William's Farewell to Black-Eyed Susan, published in 1720, with tune added by Richard Leveridge in 1730s.

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Gay, John (words) / Leveridge, Richard (music)
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1957). American balladry from British broadsides. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society / Wood, P. (2021). 'The unrecognised returning lover and broken-token songs: a survey' Folk music journal 12 (1) pp.76-94.
    Indexer
    RAS
    Example text
    URL
  • Roud No
    1778 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Sea captains / Sweethearts / Ships / Beer / True love / Sailors / Sailing / Thousands / <Miles (units of measurement)> / <Foreign lands> / <Forgetting> / Parted lovers / Reunited lovers / <Transportation (punishment)>
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The narrator asks for a ship, captain and crew to take him to his sweetheart who has sailed ten thousnd miles away. He describes her beauty and says he will never part with her (or his beer). [RAS]
    Source
    Blow the Winds I-O [sleeve notes]. In: Pardon, W. 2000. Put a Bit of Powder on it, Father [CD]. Stroud: Musical Traditions Records. MTCD305-6, P. 15. Track 1/7.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1 / Female (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Almost certainly written by Joseph B. Geoghegan, a prolific music hall songwriter. It appeared on broadsides and in songbooks in both Britain and America from the 1870s onwards. It has been collected a moderate number of times from the oral tradition in the UK and Canada. (Baxter, 2021). [MN]
    Notes

    In some versions the sweetheart has been transported in 'a government ship'.

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Geoghegan, J. B. (Joseph Bryan), 1815-1889
    Date composed
    1868
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Baxter, J. (2021). 'Ten thousand miles away'. Folk song and music hall [online]. Available at: http://folksongandmusichall.com/index.php/ten-thousand-miles-away/ [Accessed 2021-06-18]
    Indexer
    RAS
    Example text
    URL
  • Roud No
    27982 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Sailors / Sea captains / Bo'suns / Sea-going operations / Complaining / Sunday / Curses
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A song in praise of a boatswain's life on the sea. As he strikes eight bells, the captain calls all the sailors to work. A sailor complains that it's Sunday, but the captain says that all days are work days at sea. Another sailor complains about getting out of bed, and damns the man that sent him to sea. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 2 Tape 23 Track 4
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 4
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Recorded, possibly from the same singer, by Helen Creighton one year earlier in 1950. (GEST, no date).
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    GEST (no date). 'A boatswain's life for me '. GEST songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. [online] Available at: http://gestsongs.com/19/life.htm [Accessed 2019-05-31]
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/23-04_51.htm
  • Roud No
    984 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws K30
    Subject terms
    Bristol / Sailing ships / <Quays> / Sea captains / Sailors / Pirates / Guns / Pikes (weapons) / Cutlasses / Gold coins / Broadsides (sea battles) / Pulling / Sailing / Fighting / Triumph / Bravery / Sea battles / Piracy / Death in battle / Battle wounds
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The British sailors fight valiantly and slaughter the pirates who have intercepted and boarded their ship. When the pirate ship tries to escape, a broadside halts it. The commander of the pirates, who loses both legs in the action, commends the sailors and tells them that his ship contains five hundred chests of gold. The British ships tow its prize back to Bristol, and the newly rich crew retire to a life of ease on shore [Laws 1957, p.156].
    Source
    The Bold pirate (ca.1800-50). [broadside]. Pittenweem: J. Scott. Held at: Oxford: Bodleian Library. Firth c12(64)
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 800
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1957). American balladry from British broadsides. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society.
    Indexer
    AG
    Example text
    URL
    http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/view/sheet/11399
  • Roud No
    528 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws K29
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Newfoundland and Labrador / England / <Peru> / Sea captains / Pirates / Sailors / Ships / Princess Royal (ship) / Black flags / <Letters> / <Shooting> / <Drinking> / <Cheerfulness> / Sailing / <Showing> / <Fear> / First mates / <Megaphones> / <Top sails> / <Top masts> / <Grog> / <Mizzen masts> / Heaving-to / Pursuing / Success
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A pirate ship overtakes the Princess Royal, which is on her way from England to Newfoundland. The captain ignores a request to heave to, supposedly for the delivery of mail, and safely outraces the pirate ship [Laws 1957, p.155].
    Source
    The Bold Princess Royal [sleeve notes]. In: Bob Hart, 1998. A Broadside [CD]. Stroud: Musical Traditions Records. MTCD301-2, Pp.18-19.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3 / Male (Adult) x 1 +
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Starting with Catnach (1813-1838), 19th century broadside versions were plentiful, as were 20th century oral versions. See Roud and Bishop (2012, pp. 375-376). [PRW]
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1957). American balladry from British broadsides. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society / Roud, S. and Bishop, J., eds. (2012). The New Penguin Book of English Folk Songs. London: Penguin Classics.
    Indexer
    RAS
    Example text
    URL
  • Roud No
    172 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Child 24
    Subject terms
    Ships / Sea captains / Young women / Unmarried mothers / Illegitimate offspring / Sea storms / Wealth / Money / Gold (metal) / Coffins / Blindfolds / Napkins / Willow trees / Sea travel / Childbirth / Throwing a person overboard / Death by drowning / Burials / Courtship / Superstitions / Love / Abandonment
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A sea captain courts a maiden. When she becomes pregnant she takes money and gold from her parents and sails with him to foreign lands. They have not sailed far before her baby is born. The ship meets with a terrible storm and as bringers of bad luck she and her baby are bound, blind folded and thrown overboard. She asks the the captain to take her money and bury her in a golden coffin under the banks of green willow. The ship sails for the land where her body hads washed ashore. [EKM]
    Source
    Child, F. J., ed. (1882-95). The English and Scottish popular ballads. Reprinted 1965. New York: Dover Publications. Vol. IV pp. 452-453 (version A)
    Characters
    Female (Adult) x 1/ Male (Adult) x 1 / <Female(Adult x1> / <Male (Adult) x 1> / Unspecified gender (Child) x 1
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    A Child ballad popular in England historically, and in the postwar revival. Despite this, the song originated in Scotland, being first found in Motherwell’s manuscripts, then printed in Kinloch’s collection of 1827. The latter called it ‘Bonnie Annie’, which Child adopted, a title mostly confined to Scotland in later versions. Baring Gould collected several Devon versions in the 1890s with the title ‘The Undutiful Daughter’. the first appearance with the common title being collected in 1903 in Somerset by Cecil Sharp. In the following six years, 27 versions with the same title were collected in the south-western counties, mainly by Sharp in Somerset and Hammond in Dorset. No broadside version is known, and there are very few oral versions other than from England. Child (1882-95, Vol I pp. 244-247) considered only two versions, Bronson (1959-72, Vol I pp. 298-304) the tunes of 18 variants. [PRW]
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Child, F. J., ed. (1882-95). The English and Scottish popular ballads. Reprinted 1965. New York: Dover Publications. / Bronson, B. H., ed. (1959-72). The traditional tunes of the Child ballads. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
    Indexer
    EKM
    Example text
    URL
  • Roud No
    613 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Boston (Massachusetts) / Sea captains / Sailors / Ships / Sea-going operations / Alcoholic drinks / Curses / Poor working conditions / Death by drowning / Sharks / Satan / Divine punishment
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A shanty about a ship leaving Boston, Massachusetts, in full sail and a steady breeze. The captain gives orders to square the yards, and goes below to get a drink from the steward. The poor sailors must remain on deck with nothing to drink, and with curses from the captain. The narrator hopes that the captain will drown, be eaten by sharks, and his soul be taken by the devil. [MET]
    Source
    Whall, W. B., ed. (1913). Ships, sea songs and shanties. 3rd ed. Glasgow: James Brown & Son. pp. 40-41.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Also known as From Sweet Dundee and There She Goes.

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://archive.org/details/shipsseasongssha00whal/page/40
  • Roud No
    29052 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Sea captains / Praise of local men / Ships / Seal hunting / Hunt suppers / Table manners / Good fortune
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A song of praise for Newfoundland seal-hunters. The narrator invites the crew to a hearty meal of seal meat, and never mind the table manners. The narrator praises the sealing ship, Ranger, and its captain, Henry Dawe, and wishes the sealers good luck. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 2 Tape 2 Track 2
    Characters
    <Male (Adult) x 1>
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/2-2_51.htm
  • Roud No
    18197 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Burnt Islands (Newfoundland) / Port aux Basques (Newfoundland) / Cape Ray (Newfoundland) / Sea captains / Sailors / Ships / Complaining / Reefing sails
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A ship picks up some crew members in Burnt Islands, Newfoundland. After leaving, the crew begins to complain. At Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, the ship takes on more crew members. The ship then goes to Cape Ray, Newfoundland, but does not stay long. The captain orders the crew, including the night watch, to haul down the foresail and reef the jib. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 1 Tape 17 Track 12
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD1/17-12.htm
  • Roud No
    309 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Canada / Young women / Sailors / Sea captains / <Gold coins> / <Clothes> / <Collars> / <Silk> / <Satin> / <Drowning> / True love / <Marriage> / <Yearning> / <Anger> / Following sweetheart / Cross-dressing
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A young girl loves a sailor, and longs to see Canada. She pays a sailor for seaman's clothes to travel in search of him. When the sailors realise they have a female on the ship they want to throw her overboard, but when the Captain hears of this he says they will all be hanged if they do. After she's been in Canada for six months, she and the Captain marry and she lives in comfort and finery. The song ends by praising her for following her true love - even though she married someone else! [RAS]
    Source
    Canadee-I-O [sleeve notes]. In: Upton, H. 2001. Up in the North and Down in the South [CD]. Stroud: Musical Traditions Records. MTCD311-2, P. 7. Track 1/4.
    Characters
    Female (Adult) x 1 / Male (Adult) x 3
    Song voice
    Female
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    RAS
    Example text
    URL
  • Roud No
    12532 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Oceans & seas / Sea captains / Ships / Seal hunting / Punishments / Abandonment
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A humorous song about Captain Ryan leaving a recalcitrant seal hunter, Terry, on the ice. Aboard the ship Esquimaux, Terry “thought to do the devil and all.” The ships, Mary Joyce and Osprey become stuck in the ice, and Terry is left behind to look after himself. While Terry is part of the Esquimaux crew, another sealer named Dawe is with the ship, Lion. The ships, Wolf, Lion and Panther make good time returning from the ice, but Terry is left behind by Captain Ryan. [MET]
    Source
    Doyle, G. S., ed. (1927). The old time songs and poetry of Newfoundland. St. John's, Newfoundland: Gerald S. Doyle. p. 65.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Gerald S. Doyle
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/cns/id/77964
  • Roud No
    29051 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    St John's (Newfoundland) / Gibraltar / Sailors / Sea captains / <Sweethearts> / <Wives> / Ships / Sea storms / <Shipwrecks> / Sea-going operations / Pumping ship / Reefing sails / Ships' wheels / Compasses / Hunger / Complaining / Food / Bread / Pity / Prayer / Grief / Names
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    Captain Larkins orders his ship out of St John’s, Newfoundland. While at sea, a storm hits the ship, taking away its roundhouse and wheel. The crew reef the sails, pump water, and secure the helm. After repairs are finished, another storm hits the ship. The ship is swamped, the wheel is broken once again, and the compass is smashed, among other damage. But the crew makes repairs, and the ship safely passes Gibraltar. Throughout the voyage, the crew is given very little to eat, but they do not complain until starvation forces them to claim their rightful rations. The captain gives the crew one pound of bread a day, each, which is far from a legal ration. The chief officer pities the crew for the way Captain Larkins treats them. The crew resolves not to complain any further. For want of education, the sailors are forced to go to sea, leaving wives and sweethearts to mourn. The narrator prays that God grant them safe return. The narrator, who is the composer of the song, gives cryptic alphabetical clues to his name. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 2 Tape 10 Track 3
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3 / <Male (Adult) x many>
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Loss of Andrew Sheehan (Roud 4420)
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/10-03_51.htm
  • Roud No
    29062 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Sea captains (fishing) / Fishermen / Loggers / Chefs / Capelin / Cod / Rowing boats / Quays / Bunkhouses / Attraction / Hunger / Work / Bailing (boats) / Caulking / Peat cutting / Songwriting
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A song about the various jobs that need to be done by a Newfoundland fishing crew. Captain Power orders his crew to shovel peat from a peat bog. The captain then asks Jim Bulger to caulk a boat. The narrator and several other crew members accompany the carpenter, Bill Bone, in a dory to cut some wood to build a wharf. The dory must be bailed the entire trip. They work all day without any food. Ellen Ryan, the cook, is attracted to Jim Butler. The next task is to gather the capelin (a small fish) that gather in schools at the shore. The crew then goes cod fishing, but catches only a few. Finally the crew can rest in the bunkhouse, and bid Captain Power adieu. The narrator names himself as the composer of the song. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 2 Tape 19A Track 6
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 5 / Female (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/19A-6_51.htm
  • Roud No
    7291 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    St John's (Newfoundland) / Oceans & seas / Ships / Sea captains / Seal hunting / Praise of local trades
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A listing of the ships, their owners, and captains, setting sail from St. John's, Newfoundland, on the annual seal hunt. [MET]
    Source
    Peacock, K. (1965). Songs of the Newfoundland outports. Ottawa: National Museum of Canada. pp. 865-866.
    Characters
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Gerald S. Doyle
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://gestsongs.com/10/captains.htm
  • Roud No
    18200 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Channel (Newfoundland) / Port aux Basques (Newfoundland) / Sea captains / Sons / Ships' passengers / Sailors / Townspeople / Second World War (1939-1945) / Sea & ocean accidents / Ferries (ships) / Lifeboats (shipboard) / Rafts / Torpedoes / Sinking a ship (sea battles) / Death at sea / Funerals / Grief / Prayer
    Subject date
    1942-10-14 / 14 Oct 1942
    Synopsis
    The ferry, Caribou, is torpedoed off the coast of Newfoundland. The passengers struggle to swim, and board lifeboats or rafts. The townspeople of Channel, Newfoundland (the home port of the Caribou), grieve for their loved ones. The bodies of the captain and his two sons are among those brought back to Channel, and there is a large funeral for all the victims. The narrator prays for God to have mercy on their souls. Many of the doomed crew are from Port aux Basques, Newfoundland. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 1 Tape 17A Track 5
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD1/17A-05.htm
  • Roud No
    26194 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Sailors / Young women / <Sea captains> / Ships / Unrequited love / Sexual relations / Curses / Taunting / Salmon Cove (Newfoundland) / Smokey Run (Labrador)
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A young man recounts his first sailing voyage from Salmon Cove, Newfoundland, to the coast of Labrador aboard the ship, Sebastian. Besides Captain Dennis Flynn, the ship's crew comprises eight sailors and there are several young women on board as passengers. The young man is attracted to one woman, Katie Flynn, although he claims he does not love her, but is only interested in 'a lark.' Another sailor, however, makes love to Katie, and the young man curses him, and Katie, who is so loose with her virtue. The other women taunt the young man for putting his faith in any young woman going to Labrador. The ship docks in Smokey Run, Labrador, where the young women disembark. He wishes the women well. [MET]
    Source
    Ryan, M. P., ed. (1957). Ryan's favorites: old songs of Newfoundland. Colliers, Newfoundland: M. P. Ryan. pp. 33-34.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2 / <Male (Adult) x 7> / Female (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/1...
  • Roud No
    6345 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Oceans & seas / Sea captains / Sailors / Ships / Sea storms / Shipwrecks / Seal hunting / Sea-going operations / <Toasting (with drink)>
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The sealing ship, Daniel O'Connell, leaves Tilton Harbour, Newfoundland, and is almost lost in a storm. The storm breaks their tow line, and Captain William Burke orders the crew to let go of the topsail halyards, which frees the ship from the ice. The next morning, the crew discovers that their topmast is overboard, causing the ship to drift for two days in rough seas. Fearing that they will not survive, the crew rigs some jury masts and clears the wreckage on the ship. After a few more days, they spot land. They thank Providence and, now on dry land, drink to one another. [MET]
    Source
    Doyle, G. S., ed. (1927). The old time songs and poetry of Newfoundland. St. John's, Newfoundland: Gerald S. Doyle. p. 15.
    Characters
    Males (Adults) x 1
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    1833
    Printer / Publisher
    Gerald S. Doyle
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/cns/id/77964
  • Roud No
    7575 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Ships / Cooks (domestic) / Sea captains / <Sons> / Seal hunting / Complaints / Food / Torbay (Newfoundland)
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The narrator signs aboard the ship, Ellen, to hunt seals. The captain complains that the cook has not prepared more than two meals, and the cook refuses to cook again because of the insufficiency of the galley. The cook's son tends to the crew. [MET]
    Source
    Greenleaf, E. B. and Mansfield, G. Y., eds. (1933). Ballads and sea songs of Newfoundland. Reprint 1968. Hatboro, PA: Folklore Associates. p. 303.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2 / Male (Child) x 1
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://books.google.ca/books?id=eyc7bW84kPYC&pg=PT132&lpg=PT132...
  • Roud No
    6344 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Oceans & seas / Fishermen / Sea captains / Industrial disputes / Shipwrecks / Ice floes / <Liver (meat)> / Cod liver oil
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    Seven sharemen (fishermen taking a share of the catch) ship out on the fishing schooner, Morris, bound for the Straits of Belle Isle, Newfoundland. They are stuck in the ice for eight days, and the captain decides not to share the cod livers from their expected catch with the sharemen. The captain mishandles the ship and its main mast breaks, forcing the ship to head for shore for repairs. When they reach the fishing grounds, the dispute over the cod livers (valuable for their oil) continues, and the sharemen tell the captain that they will not unload the livers when they reach their home port. [MET]
    Source
    Greenleaf, E. B. and Mansfield, G. Y., eds. (1933). Ballads and sea songs of Newfoundland. Reprint 1968. Hatboro, PA: Folklore Associates. pp. 240-243.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 8
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Mitchell, John Campbell (GEST, no date).
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    GEST (no date). 'A crowd of bold sharemen'. GEST songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. [online]. Available at: http://gestsongs.com/15/crowd.htm [Accessed 12 November 2018].
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://gestsongs.com/15/crowd.htm
  • Roud No
    7293 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    St John's (Newfoundland) / Bonavista (Newfoundland) / County Wexford / Sailors / Sea captains / Native Americans / Historical persons / Irish people / Turks / Ships / <Canoes> / Sea-going operations / Discoveries (geographical) / Narratives
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A humorous account of the discovery of Newfoundland by the Irish ancestors of Pat O'Dady. The narrator describes a peaceful evening in 'Cabot Landfall' (St. John's, Newfoundland), noting the Centennial Memorial, whistling plovers, and steamers entering and leaving the harbour; and Judge Prowse (a Newfoundland historian) thinking about the St. John's radio signaling station. That same evening, Pat O'Dady complains that history is wrong, that his ancestor sailed on the Matty out of Wexford, Ireland. The crew were Irish, except for O'Rourke, who was a Turk, and who was punished by Captain 'Boney-fist' (Bonavista) for some infractions. In June, the crew spot land and some Beothics (Newfoundland aboriginals) in a canoe. The sailors shout a Gaelic greeting to them. They call this land Cape Boney-fist (Cape Bonavista). O'Dady complains that his ancestors have been erased from history and John Cabot has taken all the credit. [MET]
    Source
    Doyle, G. S., ed. (1927). The old time songs and poetry of Newfoundland. St. John's, Newfoundland: Gerald S. Doyle. p. 41.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 5
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Gerald S. Doyle
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/cns/id/77964
  • Roud No
    601 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws N6
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / London / Americas / Merchants / Young women / <Sea captains> / Sailors / Sweethearts / Press gangs / <Churches> / Ships / Hammocks / Courtship / Impressment / Cross-dressing / Following sweetheart / Revealing identity / Fortune telling / Trickery
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The merchant objects to his daughter's love for a sailor and tries to dissuade her from marrying him. When she remains adamant, her father pretends to agree to a wedding but has the youth pressed to sea. The girl follows him in disguise and becomes his bunkmate. after a while she tells the downhearted sailor his fortune and reveals her identity. The lovers return home to find that her father has died and are married [Laws 1957, p.204]. [In the indexed version the couple are married 'on Columbia's shore' [America].] [ELW].
    Source
    The boys of Mullaghbawn ; Erin's green linnet [and] The lady and sailor (ca. 1849-1854). [broadside]. Dublin: W. Birmingham. Held at: Oxford: Bodleian Library. Harding B 19(40)
    Characters
    Female (Adult) x 1 / Male (Adult) x 2
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1957). American balladry from British broadsides. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society
    Indexer
    ELW
    Example text
    URL
    http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/view/sheet/4787
  • Roud No
    30149 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Greenland / Baffin Bay / Arctic Ocean / Fishermen / Sea captains (fishing) / Ships / <Polar bears> / <Walruses> / Whaling / Ice floes / Icebergs / Homecoming / Praise of local men / Blessings
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The Newfoundland ship, Eagle, has returned from the ice floes and iceberg-filled waters off of Greenland. The narrator praises the crew and captain, and welcomes their return from their voyage to the north, where they hunted bears, walrus, and whales. He prays that God will protect them on their voyages. He wishes all the crew a safe return to their parents, wives and sweethearts. He wishes the crew health and wealth on their forthcoming trip to Baffin Bay. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 2 Tape 2 Track 3
    Characters
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/2-3_51.htm
  • Roud No
    239 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws N13
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Sea captains / Cabin boys / <Doctors> / <Biscuits> / <Waist> / Travel / Childbirth / Cross-dressing / <Betrayal> / Pregnancy / Young women / Nell / <Laughing> / <Swearing (oaths etc.)> / <Sailors> / <Cheeks> / <Red> / Bay of Biscay / / <Groaning>
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The captain discovers the sex of his disguised cabin boy and has an affair with her. One night the ship's crew is awakened by the groaning of the girl. When the doctor examines the patient, he discovers that she is about to have a child. The crew all drink to her success, and even the captain's wife joins in the merriment [Laws 1957, p.209].
    Source
    The Female Cabinboy [sleeve notes]. In: Bob Hart, 1998. A Broadside [CD]. Stroud: Musical Traditions Records. MTCD301-2, P.26.
    Characters
    Female (Adult) x 2 / Male (Adult) x 2 / Male (Adult) x 1 +
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    A comical song more popular in broadside form than in oral versions. The former are confined to the 19th century, being found in many English towns, Dublin, Glasgow, Edinburgh and the United States. The earliest possible date for any of these is that printed by Swindells of Manchester, who was in business from 1796. Oral versions have been mostly ftom England, starting with the collector Cecil Sharp in Somerset in 1905. It was an American broadside from the early 1860s which gave the text of the earliest version in another format, the journal of the bark Champion in 1842. In the postwar revival, versions have come from noted source singers Celia Costello of Birmingham, Bob Hart of Sussex, and Walter Pardon of Norfolk. See Huntington (2014, pp. 174-176) ; Roud and Bishop (2012, pp. 380-381). [PRW]
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1957). American balladry from British broadsides. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society / Huntington, G. (2014). The Gam: more songs the whalemen sang. [Northfield, Minnesota]: Loomis House. / Roud, S., and Bishop, J., 2012. The New Penguin Book of English Folk Songs. London: Penguin Classics.
    Indexer
    RAS
    Example text
    URL
  • Roud No
    V44581 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    St John's (Newfoundland) / Sea captains / Seal hunting / Ice floes / Ships / Homecoming / Praise of local men
    Subject date
    1912
    Synopsis
    The first arrival in St. John's, Newfoundland, from the 1912 seal fishery is the ship, Fogota. The ship catches seals at various locations on the northern ice floe, and returns to St. John's when the captain decides that the ship can carry no more seal pelts. Crowds greet the ship as it sails into the harbour, and the narrator praises the captain and crew for their success. [MET]
    Source
    Burke, J., ed. (1912?). Burke's ballads. St. John's, Newfoundland: John Burke. pp. 20-21.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Burke, Johnny (?)
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    John Burke
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/6...
  • Roud No
    V44602 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    St John's (Newfoundland) / Seal hunting / Ships / Sea captains / Praise of local men / Returning
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A song of praise for the captains and crews of the sealing ships, Aurora and Walrus, returning to St. John's, Newfoundland, from hunting seals on the northern ice floes. Both ships are heavy-laden with seal pelts. [MET]
    Source
    Old home week songster (1904). [St. John's], Newfoundland: Herald Job Print. pp. 23-24.
    Characters
    Unspecified
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Herald Job Print
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/5...
  • Roud No
    18208 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Glen Cove (Newfoundland) / Renews-Cappahayden (Newfoundland) / Fishermen / Sea captains (fishing) / Ships' pilots / Ships / Sea storms / Anchors (boats & ships) / Reefing sails / Coastlines / Shipwrecks / Foundering / Safety
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A fisherman from Renews, Newfoundland, recounts a fishing trip. The crew drop anchor and begin to fish, when a storm arises. The captain orders the crew to reef sails. But despite their efforts, the ship begins to founder. The captain recalls that he sighted Glen Cove yesterday, and they head there. The foreshipman steers the ship through the breakers, which wrecks the ship, but all are saved, thanks to the proximity of Glen Cove. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 1 Tape 11A Track 2
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD1/11A-02.htm
  • Roud No
    1821 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws D23
    Subject terms
    <Quebec City> / Brothers / Ships / Sea captains / Rowing boats / Sea storms / Sea & ocean accidents / Rescuing / Praise of local men / Prayer / Torbay (Newfoundland) / <Hospitals>
    Subject date
    1888-04 / April 1888 (Anon., 2002)
    Synopsis
    Two fishermen adrift in a dory suffer from exposure for six days before being rescued unconscious by a coal ship, the Jessie Maurice. The captain nurses them faithfully and takes them to a hospital in Quebec. [Laws 1964, p.172]
    Source
    Murphy, J., ed. (1905). Murphy's sealer's song book. St. John's, Newfoundland: James Murphy. pp. 14-16.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Also known as Fishermen of Newfoundland; or, the good ship Jubilee (Greenleaf and Mansfield 1933, pp. 285-287).

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Burke, Johnny (Anon., 2002)
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    James Murphy
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1964). Native American balladry. Revised edition. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society / Greenleaf, E. B. and Mansfield, G. Y., eds. (1933). Ballads and sea songs of Newfoundland. Reprint 1968. Hatboro, PA: Folklore Associates.
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/5...
  • Roud No
    1802 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws K28
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Waterford / <Tramore> / <Baltimore> / <Bermuda> / <Valparaiso> / Africa / Cuba / Newgate Prison / <Coopers> / Apprentices / Sea captains / Sailors / Slaves / Pirates / Sailing ships / Slavery / Piracy / Looting / Fighting
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The narrator becomes an apprentice to a cooper in Waterford but leaves him to ship on board the Ocean Queen, bound (usually) for Valparaiso. There he falls in with Captain Moore, commander of the Flying Cloud, which goes to Africa for a cargo of slaves, many of whom die on the return trip to Cuba. Moore decides to turn pirate and all crew but five join him. The pirates rob and plunder many ships on the Spanish Main. Often pursued by warships, they outrun them all until finally a ship shoots away their mizzenmast. In the fight that follows, Captain Moore and many of his men are killed and the rest are captured. The narrator and his fellows next appear in Newgate under sentence of death [Laws 1957, pp.154-155].
    Source
    Palmer, R. ed. (1986). The Oxford book of sea songs. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 183-185
    Characters
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    This song has made only one broadside, a Newfoundland songster. There are by contrast many oral versions, mainly from Canada and the United States, the earliest dating from the 1920s. [PRW]
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1957). American balladry from British broadsides. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society / Beck, H. P. (1953). 'The Riddle of "The Flying Cloud"' Journal of American Folklore Vol. 66, No. 260, pp. 123-133
    Indexer
    MN
    Example text
    URL
  • Roud No
    18210 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Scotland / <England> / Loggers / Fishermen / Sea captains / Ships' passengers / Young women / <Wives> / <Sweethearts> / <Friends> / <Germans> / Ocean liners / Second World War (1939-1945) / Voluntary enlistment / Leaving home / Farewells / Railway stations / Dancing / <Lunches> / <Tea> / Homesickness / Songwriting
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    During the Second World War, Newfoundlanders are enlisted to go overseas to cut wood. They leave from Bay Bulls, Newfoundland, on a passenger liner bound for England, and all the passengers cheer them and note the communities that they come from. A young fisherman from Fermuse, Newfoundland, bids his friends adieu. Captain Taylor from St John’s, Newfoundland, also comes aboard. Then more loggers from the northern bays and Torbay board. The loggers are cheered on with thoughts of cutting trees in Scotland. As they approach their destination, they keep an eye out for Germans, and land safely, dancing on the beach. At the train station, young women give them lunch and tea, and generally look after them. After six months, they are ready to go home to their wives and sweethearts. The composers of the song identify themselves as coming from Cape Broyle, Newfoundland. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 1 Tape 9 Track 2
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Carew, James / Carew, Pat
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD1/9-02.htm
  • Roud No
    16964 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Oceans & seas / Sea captains (fishing) / Wives / Children / Shipwrecks / Accidental death / Leaving home / Prayers
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A sea captain kisses his wife goodbye and sails to the George's Bank fishing grounds. His wife awaits his return, tending to the children. She waits in vain, as the captain and his ship lie at the bottom of the ocean. The narrator notes that many brave fishermen are lost at sea, and prays for God's protection over the wives and children of fishermen. [MET]
    Source
    Greenleaf, E. B. and Mansfield, G. Y., eds. (1933). Ballads and sea songs of Newfoundland. Reprint 1968. Hatboro, PA: Folklore Associates. pp. 262-263.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1 / Female (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/19-2_51.htm
  • Roud No
    30127 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Harbour Buffet (Newfoundland) / Porto (Portugal) / Sailors / Sea captains / Ships / Cod / Navigation / Pumping ship / Swabbing the deck / Keeping watch / Reefing sails / Sea storms / First World War (1914-1918) / Submarines / Sleeping / Salt
    Subject date
    1917-10/11 / Oct/Nov 1917
    Synopsis
    A crew of six Newfoundlanders on the ship, Gigantic, leaves Harbour Buffet, Newfoundland, with a load of cod, bound for Oporto, Portugal. The narrator mentions various navigation points as the ship sails along the coast of Newfoundland. A storm arises, and the captain orders the sails reefed. During the storm, the crew has many tasks, including checking the lanyards, and pumping. The storm does not relent for days, and the crew keeps watch for land, as well as for German submarines (the voyage occurs during the First World War), and finally spot the lights of Oporto. When they reach Oporto, they wash the ship down, and then take a long sleep. The crew unloads the cod, and takes on a load of salt, and starts the return voyage to Newfoundland. The narrator names all the members of the crew and which fishing villages they are from. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 2 Tape 10 Track 9
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 6
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Best, William (GEST, no date).
    Date composed
    1917 (GEST, no date).
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    GEST (no date). 'Gigantic'. GEST songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. [online] Available at: http://gestsongs.com/20/gigantic.htm [Accessed 2019-05-26]
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/10-09_51.htm
  • Roud No
    18198 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Gloucester (Massachusetts) / Fishermen / Sea captains (fishing) / Trawlers / Rowing boats / Halibut / Fishing (commercial) / Snowstorms / Sea storms / <Anchors (boats & ships)> / Bravery
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    Fishermen aboard the ship, Hilton, captained by Callahan, haul their traps in good weather. But the second time they set out to fish, the captain orders them into their dories to bait their lines for halibut. The fishermen see a snowstorm coming on, and worry about losing sight of the ship. When the snowstorm hits, their oar breaks and their buoy line also breaks. They finally rig a jig of halibut as an anchor, which saves their lives. Soldiers are brave, but Gloucester fishermen are the bravest. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 1 Tape 1A Track 5
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    This song is also entitled Callahan.

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD1/1A-6.htm
  • Roud No
    9938 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    St John's (Newfoundland) / Barbados / Bahia (Brazil) / Bay Bulls (Newfoundland) / Sailors / Sea captains / Family members / Teachers / Ships / Sea-going operations / Anxiety / Sea storms / Ships' flags / Death at sea / Grief / Prayer
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    Jim Harding sails from his home in Newfoundland aboard the ship, Golden Hind, bound for Barbados (or Bahia, Brazil). The ship is overdue on its return, which leads to anxiety among those in its home port. The ship meets rough weather, but land is spotted, and Harding imagines being on land and going to Bay Bulls, Newfoundland. The captain tries to make port in St John's, Newfoundland, but a storm arises, which drives the ship out to sea. Good weather finally comes, and the ship sails into port, but it is not flying its flag. The news from the ship is that Harding died in the storm. He leaves a grieving wife, parents, children, sisters and brothers. He also leaves his mentor, who taught him seamanship. The narrator prays that Harding's soul find eternal rest. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 1 Tape 9 Track 3
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD1/9-03.htm
  • Roud No
    122 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Child 286
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Low Countries / Cabin boys / Sea captains / <Daughters> / Spaniards / Golden Vanity (ship) / Gold coins / Silver coins / Broken promises / Drowning / Sinking a ship (sea battles) / Swimming / Betrayal
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A sea captain promises a cabin boy gold and riches, and the hand of his daughter should he sink the enemy ship which is threatening their own. The boy swims to the enemy ship and sinks it, but on return the captain refuses to assist the boy out of the ocean and give him the promised reward. The cabin boy is finally helped back onto the ship by his crew, but dies from exhaustion. [LMS]
    Source
    Roud, S. and Bishop, J., eds. (2012). The new Penguin book of English folk songs. London: Penguin Classics. pp. 22-23
    Characters
    Male (Adolescent ) x 1 / Male (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    A Child ballad, and amongst the most popular of folk songs both historically and in the postwar revival. The first known versions appeared in London black letter broadsides printed by Philip Birch between 1663 and 1685, and by Joseph Conyers about the same period, both entitled ‘Sir Walter Raleigh Sailing in the Lowlands Low’. It would seem that the story is a fantasy woven around Raleigh up to a century after such an event could have happened. Raleigh’s ship was ‘The Sweet Trinity’, but few versions after this broadside carried that title, the overwhelming majority being ‘The Golden Vanity’. Many of the more popular Child ballads first appeared in black-letter English broadsides, and next in the many Scottish collections starting with Herd in the 1770s. However, the Golden Vanity is absent from the latter, the earliest versions with this title coming in 19th century English broadsides, the earliest possible date being that printed by James Catnach, from 1819 onward, or McCall of Liverpool, printing from 1822. Although these prints were limited in number, they occurred widely in English towns, and so were no doubt instrumental in the popularity of the song that came later. Oral Versions have been collected starting in the late 19th century from England and the United States and in the 20th century from Scotland and Canada. By far the most of these have been found in the United States in the 20th century. This is reflected in the fact that Child (1882-95, Vol V pp. 135-142) considered only three versions, whereas Bronson (1959-72, Vol IV pp. 312-362) looked at the tunes of no less than 110 variants in ten groups. See also Roud and Bishop (2012, pp. 382-383). [PRW]
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Child, F. J., ed. (1882-95). The English and Scottish popular ballads. Reprinted 1965. New York: Dover Publications. / Bronson, B. H., ed. (1959-72). The traditional tunes of the Child ballads. Princeton: Princeton University Press. / Roud, S. and Bishop, J., eds. (2012). The new Penguin book of English folk songs. London: Penguin Classics.
    Indexer
    NSB
    Example text
    URL
  • Roud No
    951 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Bristol / Sea captains / Enemies / <English people> / <French people> / <Cabin boys> / <Anchors (boats & ships)> / Warships / Sea battles / <Seashores> / <Ships' flags> / <Sailing> / <Running away> / <Giving commands> / Burning a ship (sea battles) / Sinking a ship (sea battles)
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    An English ship commanded by Captain Ramsgate sails from Bristol. They encounter a French fleet and Captain Ramsgate commands his men to fight or die while King George's flag is proudly displayed. The English sink three ships, burn three more and three run away. One is taken to England to let the people know how they won that day. [GHHB]
    Source
    The good luck ship. (1945). [manuscript]. Held at: London: Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Francis Collinson Manuscript Collection. COL/4/17
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1 / <Male (Adult) x 1>
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    GHHB
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.vwml.org/record/COL/4/17
  • Roud No
    31094 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Nonsense songs / Sea captains / Rowing boats / <Shipwrecks> / Cows / Wine / Turpentine
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A nonsense song in which the narrator goes to Greedy Harbour. He does not get along with the sea captain, Old Man Ryme. He buys a punt (rowing boat) from Ryme, but it sinks. He has a cow, which he dresses in silk, and milks her nine times a day. He finds a jar that he thinks is full of wine, but what he drinks is turpentine. [MET]
    Source
    Greenleaf, E. B. and Mansfield, G. Y., eds. (1933). Ballads and sea songs of Newfoundland. Reprint 1968. Hatboro, PA: Folklore Associates. pp. 256-257.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    The stanza about the cow is taken from Little Brown Jug (725).

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Maher, Jack (words and music) / Mullins, Stephen (words and music)
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://gestsongs.com/11/greedy.htm
  • Roud No
    4080 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws dD34
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Seal hunting / Ships / <Sea captains> / Ice floes / Sea storms / Accidental death / Prayer / Grief
    Subject date
    1898-03-21 / 21 March 1898 (GEST, no date).
    Synopsis
    Forty-eight men from the sealer Greenland die in a storm on the ice. (Laws 1964, p.264) The sealing ship, Greenland, sets out from St. John's, Newfoundland, and is, at first, highly successful at hunting seals. When the men return to the ice to hunt more seals, a storm blows up, stranding them on the ice floes. Although they pray for rescue, all forty-eight sealers perish in the storm, with only twenty-five bodies recovered. The narrator mentions, in particular, two lost sealers. The narrator asks all to pray to God to comfort those left to grieve. [MET]
    Source
    Greenleaf, E. B. and Mansfield, G. Y., eds. (1933). Ballads and sea songs of Newfoundland. Reprint 1968. Hatboro, PA: Folklore Associates. pp. 299-300.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Walsh, Bridget (Mrs. John Walsh)
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1964). Native American balladry. Revised edition. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society / GEST (no date). 'The Greenland Disaster'. GEST songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. [online]. Available at: http://gestsongs.com/34/greenland.htm [Accessed 2018-11-29].
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://gestsongs.com/34/greenland.htm
  • Roud No
    347 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws K21
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Greenland / March (month) / Fishermen / Sea captains (fishing) / Bo'suns / Lion (ship) / Whaling / Whales / Sea storms / Death / Twelve / Five / <Cold> / <England> / <Telescopes> / <Anchors (boats & ships)> / <Masts (boats & ships)> / <Money> / <Grief> / Bravery / Pursuing / Debt / Death at sea
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    In need of money, the narrator and his comrades ship on board a whaler from Liverpool. A whale is sighted and harpooned, but it capsizes the boat, killing five of the crew. The captain is grieved at the loss of the whale and his men. Soon the ship departs home from barren Greenland [Laws 1957, p.150].
    Source
    Roud, S. and Bishop, J., eds. (2012). The new Penguin book of English folk songs. London: Penguin Classics. pp. 26-27
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 12
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    A popular song historically in both oral and broadside form, and in the postwar revival. It made its first appearance in many 19th century broadsides, the earliest possible date being the print of Armstrong of Liverpool who was in business between 1820 and 1824. Thereafter it was popular particularly with London printers, including Henry Such, who was in business at the end of the 19th century. The first oral version was collected, as is often the case, by Sabine Baring Gould in Devon in the 1880s. The early 20th century collectors found the song to be widespread in England. Subsequent English versions came mainly from the southern counties, except for a version by ex-sailor William Bolton of Southport in Lancashire. Other oral versions have come from Scotland and North America, with a couple from the Bahamas. Many collections of sea songs have included the song, including that of Captain Whall in the 1860s. [PRW]
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1957). American balladry from British broadsides. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society / Roud, S. and Bishop, J., eds. (2012). The new Penguin book of English folk songs. London: Penguin Classics.
    Indexer
    NSB
    Example text
    URL
  • Roud No
    4425 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Oceans & seas / Seashores / Sweethearts / Sea captains / Sextons / Graves / Ships / Willow trees / Handkerchiefs / Briars / Suicide / Burials / Grief / Insanity / Loss at sea (person) / Dialect / Parody songs
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The captain of the H'emmer Jane, which is named after his sweetheart, sails away and is supposedly lost at sea. Jane goes mad and drowns herself. She is buried and her headstone tells how she died. A willow tree is planted at her graveside. The captain returns and asks the sexton where his sweetheart is; the sexton points to the willow. The next morning, the captain is found dead on Jane's grave, with Jane's handkerchief in his pocket. He is buried next to H'emmer Jane with a wild briar at his graveside. The briar entwines with the willow. [MET]
    Source
    Guigné, A. K. (2016). The forgotten songs of the Newfoundland outports: as taken from Kenneth Peacock's Newfoundland field collection 1951-1961. Ottawa: University of Ottawa Press. pp. 161-164.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2 / Female (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    It is generally accepted that the song is a parody of tragic ballads, printed and sung with an exaggerated Newfoundland dialect (Guigné 2016, p. 162).

    Comparative songs
    Villikins and His Dinah (Roud 271)
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    First published as a broadside by Golden Hind Press of Madison, NJ, in 1941.
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Guigné, A. K. (2016). The forgotten songs of the Newfoundland outports: as taken from Kenneth Peacock's Newfoundland field collection 1951-1961. Ottawa: University of Ottawa Press.
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://gestsongs.com/05/hemmer.htm
  • Roud No
    6347 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Ireland / Sailors / Sea captains / Parents / Sea storms / Shipwrecks / Lifeboats (shipboard) / Bravery / Accidental death / Leaving home / Grief / Praise of local people / St Peter's (Newfoundland)
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    An Irish boy leaves home and grieving parents to go to sea. He sails on a ship that strikes a rock during a storm. Twenty-four sailors get into a lifeboat and row until they reach the Newfoundland coast, but there is no safe harbour, only steep cliffs, and only twelve of the crew reach the shore. The Irish sailor is one of them, and the ship's captain is another, whom the sailor praises for his bravery. They walk down a path until they reach St. Peter's, Newfoundland, where the townsfolk feed them and put them on a ship bound for Ireland. The sailor praises the Newfoundlanders. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the Songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 1 Tape 15 Track 2
    Characters
    Male (Adolescent) x 1 / Male (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    An earlier, shorter version is in Greenleaf and Mansfield (1933, pp. 258-259).

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Greenleaf, E. B. and Mansfield, G. Y., eds. (1933). Ballads and sea songs of Newfoundland. Reprint 1968. Hatboro, PA: Folklore Associates.
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD1/15-02.htm
  • Roud No
    25803 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Cape Breton Island (Nova Scotia) / Halifax (Nova Scotia) / St Paul (Minnesota) / <New York City> / Parents / <Brothers> / Leaving home / Joining & leaving work / Seal hunting / Ships / Sea captains / Sailors / Chefs / Shipwrecks / Rescuing / Drunkenness / Letters / Loggers / Accidents & disasters / Injuries / Hospitals / Amputation
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    Jack Timmins from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, leaves home to find work. He goes to the ice to hunt seals, and then joins a coastal vessel. A drunken crew and captain run the ship ashore, and the cook saves the captain, while Timmins climbs the rigging and eventually saves himself. He then goes to Halifax and finds work on a steamship heading for New York. Afterwards, he receives a letter from his brother to go west and work in the lumber woods. There he is badly injured in an accident, and lands in a hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, for six months. He likes the west, but misses home, now that he is injured. He hopes that other adventurers in the west will not share his fate, for he has lost a leg in the accident. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 2 Tape 18A Track 6
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/18A-6_51.htm
  • Roud No
    30133 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    <Boston (Massachusetts)> / Cobh / Murderers / Sea captains / First mates / Ships' carpenters / Sailors / Ships' passengers / Russians / Ships / Death by beating / Death by shooting / Murder / Defence / <Boats> / Curses / Insanity / Farewells / <Friends> / <Families> / Prayers
    Subject date
    1861-07-30 / 30 Jul 1861 (GEST, no date).
    Synopsis
    The Boston ship, Caroline, leaves Queenstown (Cobh), Ireland, under the command of Captain John Dwyer and a crew of sixteen. The first mate, John Cutter, is known to be wild and foolish. He argues with the captain, and kills him with a blow to the head. He then kills the second mate and dumps his body in the sea. He then shoots a Russian passenger, who curses the crew and ship before he dies. As the crew gathers to capture Cutter, he shoots and kills the carpenter. A crew member finally deals a blow with an axe to Cutter’s head and places him bound in a boat, where he dies raving mad. The narrator bids adieu to the friends and family of those murdered, and asks for prayers for the dead. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 2 Tape 19A Track 3
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 5
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    The actual name of the ship was the Czarina, and the murderer was Patrick Crotter. (GEST, no date).

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    GEST (no date). 'Jane Hunter '. GEST songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. [online] Available at: http://gestsongs.com/20/jane.htm [Accessed 2019-06-01]
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/19A-3_51.htm
  • Roud No
    7299 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Oceans & seas / Fishermen / Sea captains (fishing) / Fishing vessels / Death by shooting / Imprisonment with hard labour / Prayer
    Subject date
    1903-07-04 / 4 July 1903 (GEST, no date).
    Synopsis
    Among the bravest of Newfoundland fishermen is John Yetman from St. Mary's Bay, Newfoundland. He ships on board an American fishing schooner. While celebrating American Independence Day, the captain shoots and kills Yetman. The captain is arrested and sentenced to fifteen years of hard labour. The narrator asks all who toil on the sea to pardon Yetman's soul. [MET]
    Source
    Doyle, G. S., ed. (1955). Old-time songs of Newfoundland. 3rd ed. St. John's, Newfoundland: Gerald S. Doyle. p. 30.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Gerald S. Doyle
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    GEST (no date). 'Young Yetman'. GEST songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. [online]. Available at: http://gestsongs.com/21/yetman.htm [Accessed 16 November 2018].
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://gestsongs.com/21/yetman.htm
  • Roud No
    18218 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Assumption Day / Salmonier (Newfoundland) / St Mary's Bay (Newfoundland) / <St John's (Newfoundland)> / Sea captains / Sailors / Mothers / Ships / Men-of-war (ships) / <Sleeping> / Shipwrecks / Death at sea / Praise of local people / Corpses / Grief / Wakes (for the dead) / Burials / Prayer / Forgiveness of sins
    Subject date
    c. 1850
    Synopsis
    The Newfoundland ship, Kate of Branch (or Kate O’Branch) is run down by a British Man-o’-war, The Royal, on its way to St John’s, Newfoundland. Captain Butler of The Royal is not to blame, as it was at night, and all the crew of the Kate of Branch were asleep. The body of one crew member is found a fortnight later by someone from St. Mary’s, Newfoundland, and the people of St. Mary’s are praised for returning the body to Salmonier, Newfoundland, where the dead sailor’s aged mother grieves. The sailor is waked at the house of his father, and buried on Assumption Day. The narrator asks all to pray for the absolution of the sailor’s sins. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 1 Tape 10A Track 8
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3 / Female (Elderly) x 1
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Daley, Maurice / Ryan, Father
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD1/10A-08.htm
  • Roud No
    V44754 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    St John's (Newfoundland) / Sailors / Sea captains / Ships / Sea storms / Accidental death / <Telegraph services> / Pernambuco (Brazil)
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The cargo schooner, Dorothy Baird, outbound from St. John's, Newfoundland, to Pernambuco, Brazil, is hit by a storm, during which seaman, Ebenezer Pike, is washed overboard. The captain turns the schooner to search for Pike, but without success. When the ship reaches port, the captain telegraphs the sad news back to Newfoundland. [MET]
    Source
    Burke, J., ed. (1912?). Burke's ballads. St. John's, Newfoundland: John Burke. p. 21.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Burke, Johnny (?)
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    John Burke
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/6...
  • Roud No
    V44759 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    St John's (Newfoundland) / Ships / Sea captains / Wives / Sons / Sailors / Loss at sea (person) / Seal hunting / Prayer / Greenock
    Subject date
    1912-02-28 / 28 February 1912 (Anon., n.d.)
    Synopsis
    Newfoundlanders from St. John's make up the crew aboard the sealing ship, Erna, bound from Greenock, Scotland, for the Newfoundland ice fields. Aboard are the captain's wife and young son. There has been no word from the ship in about two months, but the crew's friends and family still hope the ship will appear. The narrator prays to God for good news. [MET]
    Source
    Burke, J., ed. (1912?). Burke's ballads. St. John's, Newfoundland: John Burke. p. 11.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1 / Male (Child) x 1 / Female (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Burke, Johnny (?)
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    John Burke
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Anon., n.d., Wreck Site. [online] https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?139476 [Accessed 27 December 2018]
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/6...
  • Roud No
    V15647 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Sailors / Sea storms / Shipwrecks / London (ship) / <Australia> / <Plymouth> / Steamships / Ships' passengers / Bay of Biscay / Brooke, Gustavus Vaughan, 1818-1866 / Sea captains / Melbourne (Australia)
    Subject date
    1866-01-11 / 11January 1866
    Synopsis
    The emigrant ship London leaves Plymouth bound for Australia but founders in a storm in the Bay of Biscay. The Captain and Gustavus Brookes try to save ship. The ladies say prayers in preparation for death. The ship sinks. [CPB]
    Source
    London Emigrant Steam Ship (ca. 1866). [broadside]. No imprint. Held at: Cambridge: University Library. Madden Collection (London Printers 50) [VWML mfilm No.78] Item no. 717.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1 + / Female (Adult) x 1 +
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    CPB
    Example text
    URL
  • Roud No
    17760 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Sailors / Sea storms / Shipwrecks / London (ship) / Steamships / Ships' passengers / Bay of Biscay / Channel Downs / Plymouth Sound / Sea captains / Martin, J.B., -1866
    Subject date
    1866-01-11 / 11January 1866
    Synopsis
    The London leaves Plymouth and founders in a storm in the Bay of Biscay. The Captain and passengers try to save the ship without success. [CPB]
    Source
    Singing histories, London (2009). London: Sing London. pp 10-11.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1 +
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    CPB
    Example text
    URL
    http://www.singlondon.org/loudandproud/wp-content/uploads/2011/0...
  • Roud No
    4420 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Oceans & seas / Sea captains / Sailors / Fathers / Mothers / <Sisters> / Ships / Lifeboats (shipboard) / Sea storms / Prayers / <Bread> / Sea-going operations / Grief / Falling overboard / Loss at sea (person) / Accidental death
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    Andrew Sheehan is lost at sea during a storm. On the thirty-first day sailing in rough seas, with the crew limited to rations of one pound of bread per day, the captain decides to heave to for the night. At daylight, land is spotted and the captain gives orders to make sail. In the process, Andrew Sheehan falls overboard. The crew launch a life boat, and in rough seas, almost lose their own lives in an unsuccessful attempt to reach Sheehan. Sheehan's aged parents grieve terribly. The narrator urges them to mourn no longer, but that everyone, including Sheehan's three sisters, should pray for Sheehan's soul. (MET)
    Source
    Murphy, J., ed. (1902). Songs and ballads of Newfoundland, ancient and modern. St. John's, Newfoundland: Milligan's Print. pp. 14-15.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3 / Female (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    This song is also entitled Bold Larkin, Bull Yorkens, and Harkin's Voyage.

    Comparative songs
    Captain Larkins (Roud 29051)
    Author / Composer
    Grace, John
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Milligan's Print
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://134.153.184.110/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns2/id/312...
  • Roud No
    4405 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Cut Throat Island (Newfoundland) / Bonaventure (Newfoundland) / Oceans & seas / Sea captains / Fishermen / Fishing vessels / Sea storms / Shipwrecks / Accidental death / Grief / Loss at sea (person)
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The fishing vessel, Susan, is wrecked in a storm off the coast of Cutthroat, Labrador, with the loss of all four crew members. Amid fond farewells, the Susan, under the command of Captain Miller, sails from its home base in Bonaventure, Newfoundland, to fish off of Labrador. On the return trip, the Susan is hit by a violent storm and is wrecked. The news soon reaches Bonaventure via telegraph. The narrator notes that every year such disasters happen, leaving friends and family to grieve. [MET]
    Source
    Burke, J. 1912? Burke's Ballads. [St. John's, Newfoundland]: s.l. P. 23.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Burke, Johnny?
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/cns/id/62620
  • Roud No
    26746 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Sea captains / Fishermen / Ships / Shipwrecks / Sea storms / Lifeboats (shipboard) / Cliffs / Rescuing / Praise of local men / Bravery / Drook (Newfoundland) / Seal Cove (Newfoundland) / Galveston (Texas) / Le Havre
    Subject date
    1908-02 / Feb. 1908 (GEST, no date).
    Synopsis
    The ship, S. S. Tolesby, bound from Galveston, Texas, to Havre, France, founders in a snowstorm off of Little Seal Cove, Newfoundland. As the ship strikes the rocks, the captain orders the crew into lifeboats, which in turn, are smashed upon the rocks. All the crew manage to swim ashore, and spend the night below steep cliffs, burning wreckage from the ship to keep warm. In the morning, fishermen from Drook, Newfoundland, spot the crew, and Joe Perry is lowered down the cliff to save them. The narrator praises the brave Newfoundlanders who saved all twenty-two members of the Tolesby's crew. [MET]
    Source
    Murphy, J., ed. (1923). Songs their fathers sung, for fishermen: old time ditties. St. John's, Newfoundland: James Murphy. p. 13.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 23
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    GEST (no date). 'The wreck of the Tolesby'. GEST songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. [online]. Available at: http://gestsongs.com/21/tolesby.htm [Accessed 8 January 2019]
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/5...
  • Roud No
    V44837 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    St John's (Newfoundland) / Ships / Shipwrecks / Lifeboats (shipboard) / <Sea captains> / Trepassey Bay (Newfoundland) / <Barbados> / <Molasses>
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The St. John's, Newfoundland, cargo ship, Helen Isabel, outbound from Barbados with a load of molasses, founders on Mistaken Point in Trepassey Bay. Captain Laurie and his crew abandon the ship and row ashore in lifeboats. The ship has plied its trade for thirty-five years before wrecking off the coast. [MET]
    Source
    Old home week songster (1904). [St. John's], Newfoundland: Herald Job Print. pp. 55-56.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Herald Job Print
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/5...
  • Roud No
    V44659 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Brazil / Newfoundland and Labrador / Shipwrecks / Reefs (sea) / Sea captains / Sailors / Lifeboats (shipboard) / Safety / Bravery / <Barbados>
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The Newfoundland ship, Gladiola, outbound from Barbados, founders on a reef off the coast of Brazil. At the captain's orders, all abandon ship onto a lifeboat and row for shore. In Brazil, they are cared for by the British Consul, and their passage back to Newfoundland are paid for. The narrator praises the bravery of the captain and crew. [MET]
    Source
    Old home week songster (1904). [St. John's], Newfoundland: Herald Job Print. pp. 24-25.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Herald Job Print
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/5...
  • Roud No
    4424 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    St John's (Newfoundland) / St Mary's Bay (Newfoundland) / Riverhead (Newfoundland) / Oceans & seas / Sea captains / Sailors / Singers / <Sweethearts> / <Sisters> / <Sons> / Ships / Sea storms / Shipwrecks / Birds as omens / <Telegraph services> / Loss at sea (person) / Grief / Accidental death
    Subject date
    1925-12-18 / 18 Dec 1925
    Synopsis
    This disaster ballad recounts the loss of the ship, Eliza, which set sail from St. John's, Newfoundland, with a cheerful crew. Seabirds overhead portend disaster, and a storm hits the ship in St. Mary's Bay. The able crew, led by Captain James Ahearn, have weathered many storms, and fight to keep the Eliza on course. A woman in Riverhead in St. Mary's Bay, the sweetheart of one crew member and the sister of two others, fears for the ship, and awaits reports from the telegraph office. The news is that the ship has been dismasted and is adrift. Captain Welsh of The Thrasher is the last to see the lights of the Eliza. The people of Riverhead mourn the loss of the crew, which includes Peter, a local singer, and Captain Ahearn's son, Jack, on his first cruise, who had been entreated not to go to sea. The narrator prays that God help the mourners of Riverhead.
    Source
    Peacock, K. (1965). Songs of the Newfoundland outports. Ottawa: National Museum of Canada. pp. 944-947.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 6 / Female (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Waterloo Music Co.
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://gestsongs.com/09/eliza.htm
  • Roud No
    V44845 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Sydney (Nova Scotia) / St Paul Island (Nova Scotia) / Liverpool / Sea captains / Sailors / <Families> / Sea storms / Fog / Shipwrecks / Islands / Accidental death / Grief / <Coal (fuel)> / <Cement> / Fog
    Subject date
    1904-05-20 / 20 May 1904 (Beitler, n.d.)
    Synopsis
    The ship, Turret Bay, loads cement in Liverpool, and coal in Sydney, Nova Scotia, before hitting rough weather and fog, and striking St. Paul's Island. Captain Hayden and thirteen sailors are lost, leaving families to mourn. [MET]
    Source
    Old home week songster (1904). [St. John's], Newfoundland: Herald Job Print. pp. 73-74.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 14
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Herald Job Print
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    GenDisasters (no date). Cape North, NS Steamer Turret Bay Sinking, May 1904. [online] Available at: http://www.gendisasters.com/nova-scotia/15131/cape-north-ns-steamer-turret-bay-sinking-may-1904 [Accessed 2018-12-21].
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/5...
  • Roud No
    9937 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Shipwrecks / Sailors / Sea captains / Ships' passengers / Lifeboats (shipboard) / Ice floes / Accidental death / Loss at sea (person) / Rescuing / Channel-Port aux Basques (Newfoundland) / Cape Breton Island (Nova Scotia)
    Subject date
    1911-03-24 / 24 March 1911 (GEST, no date).
    Synopsis
    The steamship, Bruce, leaving Port au Basque, Newfoundland, bound for Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, founders in heavy ice. The captain orders all to the lifeboats, and in the process, one sailor loses his life. The other five seamen risk their lives to get all passengers safely to shore. The Bruce is a total wreck. [MET]
    Source
    Burke, J., ed. (1912?). Burke's ballads. St. John's, Newfoundland: John Burke. p. 16.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 7
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Burke, Johnny (?)
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    John Burke
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    GEST (no date). 'The loss of the Bruce'. GEST songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. [online]. Available at: http://gestsongs.com/16/bruce.htm [Accessed 29 December 2018].
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/6...
  • Roud No
    9940 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Titanic (ship) / Ships' passengers / Shipwrecks / Icebergs / Lifeboats (shipboard) / <Emigration> / Irish people / Italians / Sea captains / Sailors / Wealth / Loss at sea (person) / Bravery / Praise of local men / Cape Race (Newfoundland) / Southampton
    Subject date
    1912-04-15 / 15 April 1912 (Anon., 2018)
    Synopsis
    The passenger liner, Titanic, sails from Southampton with three thousand aboard, including a number of New York millionaires. The passengers also include emigrants from Italy and Ireland, among other places. Off of Cape Race, Newfoundland, the ship hits an iceberg and begins to sink. The crew loads women and children into the lifeboats. The millionaires step aside and bravely face their deaths. The narrator praises Captain Smith and his crew for the lives that they save. [MET]
    Source
    Burke, J., ed. (1912?). Burke's ballads. St. John's, Newfoundland: John Burke. p. 13.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Burke, Johnny (?)
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    John Burke
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Anon., 2018. RMS Titanic. Wikipedia [online]. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS Titanic [Accessed 28 December 2018]
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/6...
  • Roud No
    V44658 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    St John's (Newfoundland) / Ships / Sea captains / Sailors / Shipwrecks / Reefs (sea) / Lifeboats (shipboard) / Rescuing / Homecoming / Pernambuco (Brazil)
    Subject date
    1912-05 / May 1912
    Synopsis
    The Devonia from St. John's, Newfoundland, founders on a reef off of Pernambuco, Brazil. The narrator gives a history of the ship, naming three captains, and the original name and place of construction of the ship. The captain and crew safely make shore in lifeboats, and all are eagerly awaited back home. [MET]
    Source
    Burke, J., ed. (1912?). Burke's ballads. St. John's, Newfoundland: John Burke. p. 17.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Burke, Johnny (?)
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    John Burke
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/6...
  • Roud No
    4372 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    King's Cove (Newfoundland) / Goose Bay (Newfoundland) / Oceans & seas / Sea captains / Sailors / Ships / Shipwrecks / Sea storms / Marine salvage / Sea ice / Rescuing
    Subject date
    1866-12-25 / 25 Dec. 1866 (GEST, no date).
    Synopsis
    On Christmas day, the ship Ellen Munn sails from King's Cove, Newfoundland, to Goose Bay (Bonavista Bay), but is caught in rough weather and sinks, leaving its crew on the sea ice. During the storm, the ship takes shelter in a cove and then resumes sailing the next day. It begins to take on water, and the captain orders all the crew onto the sea ice. The next morning, they are rescued and brought to Plate Cove. The Holloway family salvages supplies from the wreck. The narrator warns against sailing close to “new made ice” that can destroy a boat, nor to sail on Christmas day. [MET]
    Source
    Doyle, G. S., ed. (1940). The old time songs and poetry of Newfouindland. 2nd ed. St. John's: Gerald S. Doyle. p. 6.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 6
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Flynn, 'Young Jimmy' (GEST, no date).
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Gerald S. Doyle
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    GEST (no date). 'The loss of the Ellen Munn'. GEST songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. [online]. Available at: http://www.gestsongs.com/11/ellenmunn.htm [Accessed 3 July 2018].
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/cns/id/69812
  • Roud No
    4419 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    New Harbour (Newfoundland) / <Rose Blanche Bank (Newfoundland)> / Oceans & seas / Sea captains / Fishermen / Fishing vessels / Boats / Sea storms / Sea-going operations / Grief / Loss at sea (person) / Accidental death / Livelihoods
    Subject date
    1926-12 / Dec 1926
    Synopsis
    The fishing boat, Danny Goodwin, and its crew of six is lost in a winter storm. Under the command of Captain Lafosse, the ship leaves New Harbour, Newfoundland, to fish on Rose Blanche bank. After the fishing dories were lowered onto the water, a fierce winter storm comes up, and the Danny Goodwin is never seen again. Another fishing captain believes that the dories might have made it back to the ship, and the Danny Goodwin might even have made it to some portion of the land, but it is just as likely that the ship drifted out to sea. The ship and its crew are never seen again, leaving relatives to mourn. The crew lost their lives while earning a living and providing for their families. [MET]
    Source
    Peacock, K. (1965). Songs of the Newfoundland outports. Ottawa: National Museum of Canada. pp. 942-943.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 7
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    National Museums of Canada
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Hiscock, P. (2003). 'Ten things to consider about "The Star of Logy Bay"'. Canadian Folk Music 37(2), pp. 7-11. [http://www.canfolkmusic.ca/index.php/cfmb/article/view/274/268 [Accessed 2018-06-9]
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://disastersongs.ca/the-loss-of-the-danny-goodwin/
  • Roud No
    V6049 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Sailors / Sea storms / Shipwrecks / London (ship) / Steamships / Ships' passengers / Brooke, Gustavus Vaughan, 1818-1866 / Sea captains / <Praying>
    Subject date
    1866-01-11 / 11January 1866
    Synopsis
    All aboard are terrified as the ship founders and say prayers. The Captain and Gustavus Brookes try to save ship without success. [CPB]
    Source
    Meg of Wapping [and] The Loss of the London (ca. 1866). [broadside]. London: H P Such. Held at: Oxford: Bodleian Library. Harding B 11(2396).
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1 +
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    CPB
    Example text
    URL
    http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/view/sheet/2555
  • Roud No
    4413 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Brooklyn (Newfoundland) / St John's (Newfoundland) / Oceans & seas / Sea captains / Ships / Shipwrecks / Accidental death / Seal hunting / Grief / Loss at sea (person)
    Subject date
    1896-11-07 / 7 Nov 1896
    Synopsis
    The sealing ship, Maggie, leaves Brooklyn, Newfoundland, and enters St. John's harbour, where it collides with the steamer, Tiber, with the loss of thirteen of the twenty-three crew of the Maggie. The narrator describes how the crew anticipated the money that they would receive in St. John's for the seals they had on board. Captain Blunden spies the Tiber, but despite shouts from the crew, the Maggie is hit. The narrator will never forget that day, and the name of the Tiber will reverberate in the minds of the people of Brooklyn like a “funeral drum.” [MET]
    Source
    Murphy, J., ed. (1905). Murphy's sealer's song book. St. John's, Newfoundland: James Murphy. pp. 5-6.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    James Murphy
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/5...
  • Roud No
    30138 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Trepassey Bay (Newfoundland) / Fermeuse (Newfoundland) / Chance Cove (Newfoundland) / Calvert (Newfoundland) / Sea captains / Sailors / <Brothers> / <Sisters> / <Mothers> / Ships / Sea storms / Shipwrecks / Death at sea / Grief / Last judgment
    Subject date
    1934-12-04 / 4 Dec 1934
    Synopsis
    The ship, Guernsey, sails from Trepassey, Newfoundland, carrying fish and oil, and commanded by Captain Thomas Devereaux. A light wind slows the ship’s progress; in a stronger wind the ship would have made safe harbour in Fermeuse, Newfoundland, but it is caught in a storm near Chance Cove, Newfoundland. The ship might have headed for Ferryland, Newfoundland, but foundered on the shore. Wreckage from the ship is found near Calvert, Newfoundland. The narrator names the three crew members, all from Trepassey, who are lost at sea. Together, they leave brothers, sisters, and an elderly mother to grieve. The narrator asks for prayers for the men, who will be met again on Judgment Day. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 2 Tape 15 Track 1
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3 / <Female (Elderly) x 1>
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/15-01_51.htm
  • Roud No
    9816 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Sailors / Mothers / Sea captains / Farewells / Sea storms / Shipwrecks / Death at sea / Corpses / Condemnation / Burials
    Subject date
    1846-09-19 / 19 Sep 1846 (GEST, no date)
    Synopsis
    Tom Fewer, a Newfoundland sailor, bids adieu to his mother before boarding the ship with his friend, James Rourke. The mother pleads with the captain not to leave port, because a storm in coming. Against the consent of the crew, the captain orders the ship to sail. The ship sinks with the loss of all on board. The narrator condemns John Nolan for not retrieving the bodies when he had a chance, but does not curse him, for the mothers would receive no comfort from burial on land. Tom Fewer served three years with Captain James Murray aboard the ship, Shamrock, before it went down. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 2 Tape 19A Track 1
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 4 / Female (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    GEST (no date). 'Shamrock'. GEST songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. [online]. Available at: http://gestsongs.com/21/shamrock.htm [Accessed 2021-06-19]
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/19A-1_51.htm
  • Roud No
    561 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws O37
    Subject terms
    Seaside setting / Riverbanks / Midnight / Morning / Henry / Mary / Noblemen / Sailors / Young women / Young men / Sea captains / Sweethearts / <Mothers> / <Fathers> / Murder / Corpses / Handkerchiefs / Silk / Beauty / Dreams / Death / Threats / Tides / Rings / Engagement to marry / Hanging (execution) / Visions / True love / Lamentation / Cruelty / <Gallows> / <Hands> / <Pillows> / <Sandbanks> / Walking / Drowning / Crying / Tying up / Jealousy / Anger / Broken-heartedness / Grief / Floating
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    During Henry's absence a nobleman courts Molly, but she remains loyal to her lover. The nobleman threatens to drown her if she will not marry him. When she remains adamant, he binds her with a handkerchief and throws her into the ocean. Henry returns from sea and hears from her parents that Molly has committed suicide. He dreams that she is walking by the ocean, goes to the shore, and finds her floating corpse. He recognizes the ring on her hand and finds the murderer's handkerchief with his name on it. The nobleman is hanged, and Henry mourns until his death [Laws 1957, p.244].
    Source
    Roud, S. and Bishop, J., eds. (2012). The new Penguin book of English folk songs. London: Penguin Classics. pp. 306-307.
    Characters
    Female (Adult) x 1 / Male (Adult) x 2 / <Male (Adult) x 1> / <Female (Adult) x 1>
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    A common song issued by broadside printers in the nineteenth-century; the earliest known examples date from around the 1820's (Roud and Bishop, 2012, p. 489).
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1957). American balladry from British broadsides. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society / Roud, S. and Bishop, J., eds. (2012). The new Penguin book of English folk songs. London: Penguin Classics.
    Indexer
    NSB
    Example text
    URL
  • Roud No
    892 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Sweethearts / True love / Parents / Daughters / Merchants / Houses / Oceans & seas / Italy / Sea captains / Parted lovers / Men's clothes / Women's clothes / Sentencing / Marriage / Sea travel / Weddings / Yearning / Searching / Cross-dressing / Parental opposition (to courtship or marriage) / Separation / Grief / Crying / Maudlin / Saying goodbye / <Friends> / <Singing> / <Windows> / <Music> / Fidelity / <Burning at the stake> / Prisons / <Hunger> / Merchant ships / Following sweetheart / Christian denominations / Judges / Happy endings / <Churches> / Bristol / Padua
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    Source
    Fair Maudlin, the merchant's daughter of Bristol (ca. 1736-1763). [broadside]. London: W. and C. Dicey. Held at: Oxford: Bodleian Library. Harding B 1(66)
    Characters
    Female (Adult) x 1 / Male (Adult) x 2 / <Female (Adult) x 1> / <Male (Adult) x 2>
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    EAW
    Example text
    URL
    http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/view/sheet/10320
  • Roud No
    18225 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Salmonier (Newfoundland) / Eagle Cove (Newfoundland) / Trepassey Bay (Newfoundland) / Fog / Sea captains / Sailors / Sons / Townspeople / Shipwrecks / Masts (boats & ships) / Death at sea / Searching / Corpses / Coffins / Praise of local men / Prayer
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    Captain Mike McDonald of Salmonier, Newfoundland, sets sail in thick fog. He orders the ship to head out from shore, but the ship founders on Johnson’s Point in Trepassey Bay. A mast serves as a bridge for the sailors to reach shore from the wrecked ship. The captain waits until all the crew are safe, but is swept overboard before he can join them. The crew, including the captain’s sons, cannot save him, and make their way to Eagle Cove. The crew return and, on the third day, retrieve the captain’s body. The people of Eagle Cove prepare the body, supply a coffin, and ship him back to Salmonier. The narrator praises the captain, and prays that God have mercy on his soul. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 1 Tape 5 Track 4
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD1/5-04.htm
  • Roud No
    124 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Child 289
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Morning / Friday / Sailors / Sea captains / Mermaids & mermen / <Mothers> / <Fathers> / <Wives> / Beauty / Combs / Mirrors / Oceans & seas / Storms / Death / Visions / Lamentation / Grief / Death at sea
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A crew set sail on Friday morning, an inauspicious day, and have not been at sea long before they espy a mermaid. The mermaid portends a disasterous end, and the crew lament the loss of their lives and loved ones. [LMS]
    Source
    Roud, S. and Bishop, J., eds. (2012). The new Penguin book of English folk songs. London: Penguin Classics. pp. 32-33
    Characters
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    A popular Child ballad, a jolly but tragic song, which has been known historically by this title, but in the postwar revival has been better known as ‘The Maid on the Shore’ or ‘The Stormy Winds Do Blow’. Its first known appearance was as ‘The praise of saylors here set forth’ a black letter broadside by Cole and partners dated to the late 1670s but it was next seen about a hundred years later in a chapbook, and next in a broadside by G Thompson of Liverpool, who was printing from 1789 to 1820. Unlike most popular Child ballads, it did not appear in the early Scottish collections, and was particularly popular with 19th century broadside printers. Oral versions have been mainly from England and the United States, with just a few from Scotland. Many eminent revival singers have included it in their repertoires. Child (1882-95, Vol V pp. 148-152) considered six versions, Bronson (1959-72, Vol IV pp. 370-387) looked at the tunes of 42 variants in three groups. See also Roud and Bishop (2012, pp. 382-383). [PRW]
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Child, F. J., ed. (1882-95). The English and Scottish popular ballads. Reprinted 1965. New York: Dover Publications. ; Bronson, B. H., ed. (1959-72). The traditional tunes of the Child ballads. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ; Roud, S. and Bishop, J., eds. (2012). The new Penguin book of English folk songs. London: Penguin Classics.
    Indexer
    NSB
    Example text
    URL
  • Roud No
    407 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Sailors / Sweethearts / <Women> / Nancy / <Sea captains> / Sea storms / <Letters> / Bravery / Fear / Yearning
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A sailor writes to his sweetheart, telling her of the harsh dangers he and his crew endure. He promises that if he survives, he will return to England and to Nancy. [LMS]
    Source
    With a helmet on his brow [and] Nancy of Yarmouth (ca. 1819-1844). [broadside]. London: Pitts. Held at: Oxford: Bodleian Library. Harding B 11(4260A).
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1 / Female (Adult) x 1 / <Male (Adult) x 1>
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    SLG
    Example text
    URL
    http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/view/sheet/3108
  • Roud No
    17748 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Oceans & seas / Sea storms / Young women / Sea captains / Shipwrecks / Accidental death / <Gold coins>
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The narrator tells of setting sail for the Indies for 'gold and store'. The ship is caught in a storm and seven young women go down with the ship. The narrator praises the ship's captain. [MET]
    Source
    Greenleaf, E. B. and Mansfield, G. Y., eds. (1933). Ballads and sea songs of Newfoundland. Reprint 1968. Hatboro, PA: Folklore Associates. p. 122.
    Characters
    Female (Adult) x 7
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://books.google.ca/books?id=iCJcjx3QMdkC&pg=PA389&lpg=PA389...
  • Roud No
    V44825 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Sailors / Sea captains / Shipwrecks / Ice floes / Seal hunting / Sea-going operations / Praise of local men
    Subject date
    1907-03-20 / 20 March 1907
    Synopsis
    The sealing ship, Nimrod, is caught in the ice off the coast of Newfoundland. Fearing that the ship will be crushed by the ice, the crew collects clothes and provisions, and climbs onto the sea ice. The deck master cuts the mainsail from the mast, so that the crew has some cover while on the ice. The wind shifts, and at the captain's orders, the men re-board the ship, which has sustained some damage, but is still seaworthy. The narrator names several members of the crew and commends Captain Barbour, and wishes him better success on future voyages. [MET]
    Source
    Murphy, J., ed. (1925). Songs sung by old-time sealers of many years ago. St. John's, Newfoundland: James Murphy. pp. 1-3.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 11
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    James Murphy
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/3...
  • Roud No
    4530 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Oceans & seas / Ships / Seal hunting / Sea captains / Praise of local trades / Food
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The narrator describes the annual seal-hunting voyages in Newfoundland. Four sealing ships and their captains are named. The sealing ships return to St. John's, Newfoundland, and share out the seal flippers. The narrator praises the sealers and their captains, and hopes that the sealing traditions will not be abandoned as Newfoundland modernizes. Newfoundlanders will always want flipper pie and cod. [MET]
    Source
    Doyle, G. S., ed. (1955). Old-time songs of Newfoundland. 3rd ed. St. John's, Newfoundland: Gerald S. Doyle. pp. 12-13.
    Characters
    Males (Adult) x 4
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Gerald S. Doyle
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://gestsongs.com/07/noblesealers.htm
  • Roud No
    6346 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Labrador / Oceans & seas / Sea captains / Merchant ships / Battleships / Shipwrecks / <Coal (fuel)> / Wrecking (ships) / <Rescuing>
    Subject date
    1922-08-08 / 8 Aug 1922
    Synopsis
    The steamer, Nordfeld, with a load of coal, runs aground off the coast of Labrador, and despite the captain's efforts, the contents of the ship are stripped by locals, just as the British battleship, Raleigh, also aground on the Labrador coast, had been stripped. While all on board are helped ashore by locals, the coal on board the Nordfeld is taken through holes chopped in the ship's deck. This supply of coal will help the Labradorians, who otherwise would have had to haul wood for their winter fuel. [MET]
    Source
    Greenleaf, E. B. and Mansfield, G. Y., eds. (1933). Ballads and sea songs of Newfoundland. Reprint 1968. Hatboro, PA: Folklore Associates. pp. 288-289.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Williams, George
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://www.gestsongs.com/34/norfeld.htm
  • Roud No
    602 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Sea captains / Women / Sailors / Sweethearts / Mothers / Fathers / Families / Cruelty / Courtship / Suicide / Loss (emotion) / <Gold coins> / <Silver coins> / Fighting / Fainting / Grief / Despondency / Yearning / Anger / Love
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The first verse, in the voice of the sailor, tells us he must leave to fight at sea. The subsequent verses are in the voice of his lover, a woman, despairing at his departure, believing his love to be untrue, finally telling her parents she intends to commit suicide. [ELW].
    Source
    Cold winter is past ; The gallant Mars [and] The distressed maid (ca. 1819-1844). [broadside]. London: Pitts. Held at: Oxford: Bodleian Library. Harding B 11(636)
    Characters
    Female (Adult) x 1 / Male (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Male Female
    Song history
    There is a version written down in the New England whaler Bengal in 1832 (Huntington 1970, pp. 99-100), which shows signs of having been obtained from an English broadside, of which there are but few. There are rather more oral versions from southern England, these showing a consistency of text which could have well been remembered from the few 19th century broadsides. [PRW]
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Huntington, G., ed. (1970). Songs the whalemen sang. Second edition. New York: Dover.
    Indexer
    ELW
    Example text
    URL
    http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/view/sheet/7536
  • Roud No
    6354 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Sea captains (fishing) / Fishermen / Clothes / Food & drink / Honesty / Kindness / Dialect / Dancing / Singing / <Swearing (bad language)> / Nostalgia / State of the times
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The narrator laments modern times and the demise of the “planter” (fisherman-skipper) in Newfoundland, a figure as long gone as old-time outport clothing, food and drink. Neither he nor his daughters were sophisticated, but “truthful, honest, kind and good.” The planter has been replaced by a slick crowd that dresses well and has a lot of useless education. The planter mended his nets and went fishing, and always paid the priest or parson. His simple house was a gathering place for singing and dancing. He wasn't a saint; he drove his men hard, but worked as hard as they did. He drank and cursed, and sometimes sold bad molasses and flour. But the planter will find his place in Heaven. The song is written in Newfoundland dialect. [MET]
    Source
    Murphy, J., ed. (1923). Songs their fathers sung, for fishermen: old time ditties. St. John's, Newfoundland: James Murphy. pp. 6-7.
    Characters
    Males (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Devine, Maurice A.
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    James Murphy
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/5...
  • Roud No
    4410 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    St John's (Newfoundland) / Petty Harbour Maddox Cove (Newfoundland) / Oceans & seas / Sailors / Sea captains / Ships / Shipwrecks / Sea storms / Rescuing / Accidental death / Loss at sea (person) / Grief
    Subject date
    1852-06-08 / 8 Jun 1852
    Synopsis
    While on a trip from St. John's to Petty Harbour, Newfoundland, the ship is wrecked by a storm. Although the seas and sky were, at first, calm, the weather quickly changed just as the ship arrives near Petty Harbour. Captain John French and first mate Nick Sulivan, as well as four other crew members are lost. Jacob Chafe launches a boat from shore and is able to save “young Menchion.” When the news reaches St. John's, there is great lamentation. The narrator concludes by urging all to put their faith in God, whether on land or sea. [MET]
    Source
    Murphy, J., ed. (1905). Murphy's sealer's song book. St. John's, Newfoundland: James Murphy. pp. 26-28.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 7
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Grace, John
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    James Murphy
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/5...
  • Roud No
    811 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    May (month) / At sea setting / Sea captains / Sailors / Young women / Polly / Sweethearts / Friends / Cannons / Battleships / Ships' flags / Death in battle / Battle wounds / <Rigging (boats & ships)> / <Decks (boats & ships)> / Dark eyes / Impressment / Sea battles / Saying goodbye / Regret / Yearning / Separation
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    Source
    Polly on the Shore. (1957-1960). [typescript]. Mervyn Plunkett Traditional Song Collection. Sussex Texts Typescripts.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3 / Female (Adult) x 2
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    The few broadsides date back to the 18th century. Most oral versions were collected in England. [PRW]
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    LER
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.vwml.org/record/RoudFS/S363746
  • Roud No
    186 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws M24
    Subject terms
    Rural setting / Farming environment / <Ploughing> / <Singing> / Ploughmen / Young women / Sweethearts / <Parents> / True love / Class difference (romantic couples) / Parental opposition (to courtship or marriage) / Press gangs / Parted lovers / <Sailors> / <Ships> / <Sea captains> / <Pockets> / <Gold coins> / Impressment / Crying / Searching / <Questioning> / Hugging / <Bells> / Happy endings / Reunited lovers
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    When the rich girl's father hears that she loves a plowboy, he has a pressgang take the youth away. The girl dresses in men's clothes and follows her lover. She rows a boat out to his ship, pays the captain generously in gold, and returns to shore with the youth [Laws 1957, p.191].
    Source
    Roud, S. and Bishop, J., eds. (2012). The new Penguin book of English folk songs. London: Penguin Classics. pp. 175-177
    Characters
    Female (Adult) x 1 / Male (Adult) x 2 / <Male (Elderly)> / <Female (Elderly) x 1> / <Male (Adult) x 1>
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    A song of great popularity in oral and broadside form historically, and in the postwar revival. Robert Ford (1904, pp. 284-285), observed that it was very popular in Perthshire and in many parts of Scotland in the mid-19th century. At the same time, Sabine Baring Gould collected a version in Devon, observing that other versions, especially broadsides, were 'corrupt'. Postwar source singers have included Harry Cox, Packie Byrne, and Walter Pardon, and is has been recorded by many eminent revival singers. See Roud and Bishop (2012, pp. 438). [PRW]
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1957). American balladry from British broadsides. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society / Ford, R., ed. (1904). Vagabond songs and ballads of Scotland. New and improved edition. Paisley: Alexander. / Roud, S. and Bishop, J., eds. (2012). The new Penguin book of English folk songs. London: Penguin Classics.
    Indexer
    NSB
    Example text
    URL
  • Roud No
    9809 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Riverhead (Newfoundland) / <Boston (Massachusetts)> / Fishermen / Sea captains (fishing) / Local characters / Singers / Customs officers / Magistrates / <Kings> / Boatbuilding / Launching (boats & ships) / Sea shanties / Cheering / <Houses> / Good fortune
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    People from various communities in Newfoundland, including a custom-house officer and a magistrate, attend a launching at Riverhead, Newfoundland. Among them is Billy Hanlon, well known as a singer, who sings shanties as the boat is hauled into the water. When the boat is afloat, cheers go up for the King. The narrator praises the boat’s captain, and his three sons, who have fished out of Boston, have built their own houses, and have paid their own way. The narrator wishes the best of luck to the boat. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 2 Tape 16 Track 4
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 10 / Female (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/16-04_51.htm
  • Roud No
    388 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws K8
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Plymouth / Isles of Scilly / Sailors / Women / Sea captains / Bo'suns / Ships / Sea storms / Drowning / Loss at sea (person) / Bereavement / Fear
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The narrator leaves his beloved wife and goes to sea. He is lonely and unhappy thinking of her and fearing a disaster. After a violent storm the ship crashes on the Rocks of Scilly. Only four of the sailors survive, the narrator, oddly enough, being one of those lost. His wife dies of a broken heart [Laws 1957, p.144].
    Source
    The rocks of Scilly (ca. 1819-1844). [broadside]. London: Pitts. Held at: Oxford: Bodleian Library. Firth c.12(118)
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1 / Female (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Male Female
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1957). American balladry from British broadsides. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society
    Indexer
    SLG
    Example text
    URL
    http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/view/sheet/3749
  • Roud No
    25337 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Fife / Sea captains (fishing) / Fishermen / Townspeople / Ships / Sea storms / Shipwrecks / Being swept overboard / Death at sea / Hymns / Prayers / God / Heaven
    Subject date
    1872-12-17 / 17 Dec 1872
    Synopsis
    Captain Andrew Davidson from Fife and his vessel, Rose of June, venture out with the other Fife fishing ships. A storm rises up, and the townspeople eagerly await the return of the ships. All return except for Davidson's, which is wrecked in the storm. As the crew sings a hymn of praise to God, Davidson is washed overboard and lost. The mate, John Adams, praises God, for Captain Davidson is now in heaven. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 1 Tape 17 Track 9
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Based on a real shipwreck which happened outside Elie Harbour in Fife in 1872. (Zierke 2020)

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Zierke, R. (2020). ‘The Rose in June’. Mainly Norfolk: English Folk and Other Good Music. [online]. Available at: https://mainlynorfolk.info/louis.killen/songs/theroseinjune.html [Accessed 2021-06-14].
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD1/17-09.htm
  • Roud No
    21113 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Sailors / Fishermen / Sea captains (fishing) / Sweethearts / Fathers of the bride / Boats / Clothes / Jewellery / Houses / Marriage / Dancing / Singing / Toasting (with drink) / Boasting / Pipes (smoking)
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    Sailor, fisher and boaster, Bob Pittman, plans to get married. He sails on the Ino, captained by Tim Brown, and is adept at all work on a fishing boat, as well as singing and dancing. If the fishing is good in the Autumn, he'll have enough money for a ring, a priest, wedding clothes, and a marriage feast. He lists a number of possible brides, but his favourite is Biddy from Toslow, Newfoundland. He bids farewell to all other women, and if he doesn't marry Biddy, he'll be shot by her father. He has bought a house and household items, some jewelry for his various sweethearts, and a meerschaum pipe for himself, which melts in the heat. He goes to a dance in Fox Harbour, where there are plenty of women, including one chewing gum. He toasts all the women, but can't marry them all without landing in jail. [MET]
    Source
    Murphy, J., ed. (1912). Old songs of Newfoundland. St. John's, Newfoundland: James Murphy. pp. 6-7.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3 / Female (Adult) x 9
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    This song is also known as We'll Rant and We'll Roar

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    LeMessurier, H. W.
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/5...
  • Roud No
    947 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws Q12
    Subject terms
    Rural setting / <West Indies> / Sea captains / Young women / Squires / Wives / Husbands / Maids (servants) / Menservants / Offspring / <Doctors> / <Midwives> / <Guineas (money)> / Marriage / Cuckoldry / Absent lovers / Pregnancy / <Kissing>
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    After the sea captain has gone away, a neighboring squire seduces the captain's bride. Nine months later the captain comes home, notices his wife's stoutness, and calls a doctor when she complains of colic. That night the cook, the maids, and the captain's wife all have babies. Her husband forgives her 'for the joke's sake', and she tells him about the squire and says that his servants got her maids with child [Laws 1957, p.278].
    Source
    The young squire's frolic [and] The pretty plough boy (ca. 1797-1807). [broadside]. Nottingham: Burbage and Stretton. Held at: Oxford: Bodleian Library. Harding B 12(170)
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2 / <Male (Adult) x 3> / Female (Adult) x 1 / <Female (Adult) x 4>
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1957). American balladry from British broadsides. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society
    Indexer
    GHHB
    Example text
    URL
    http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/view/sheet/13740
  • Roud No
    V44609 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Harbour Grace (Newfoundland) / Sea captains / Young women / Ships / Seal hunting / Homecoming / Dancing / Easter / Praise of local men
    Subject date
    1891
    Synopsis
    The sealing ship, Greenland, commanded by Captain Henry Dawe, is the first to reach the seals, because it is in excellent condition, and the sealers know their craft. The ship arrives back in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, with fourteen thousand pelts, and its captain and crew are welcomed and congratulated by the townsfolk. The crew look forward to dancing with the girls at the Easter dance. The narrator praises the Newfoundland sealers and Captain Dawe. [MET]
    Source
    Murphy, J., ed. (1925). Songs sung by old-time sealers of many years ago. St. John's, Newfoundland: James Murphy. pp. 8, 10-12.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    James Murphy
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/3...
  • Roud No
    552 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws N10
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / New York City / Nancy (ship) / Sailors / Daughters / <Merchants> / <Sea captains> / Casting lots / Revealing identity / Lifeboats (shipboard) / <Harbours> / Marriage / Cannibalism / Hunger / Sailing / Happy endings / Shipwrecks / Cross-dressing
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A girl's parents discharge a porter to prevent his marrying their daughter. She dresses in men's clothes and follows her lover. On her way she kills one of two heathens who attempt to murder her. She finds the porter and with him joins the crew of a ship which later springs a leak and sinks. After many days in a lifeboat, the crew casts lots to see who shall be killed for food. The girl is chosen and her lover designated executioner. She reveals her identity by producing a broken ring, and he offers to die in her place, but a ship is sighted, all are saved, and the lovers marry [Laws 1957, p.207]. [In indexed copy there is much less detail than in the synopsis [EHB]]
    Source
    New York streets [and] Lamentation of an old horse (ca. 1828-1842). [broadside]. London: Batchelar. Held at: Oxford: Bodleian Library. Harding B 11(2697)
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1 / Female (Adult) x 1 / <Male (Adult) x 1>
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    A version of this song titled ‘Constant Lovers’ was found in the New England Whaler Polly of Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1794. Most 19th century English broadside printers published a copy. Most English Edwardian collectors gathered versions, and there were oral versions collected in the United States in the 19th century. See Roud and Bishop (2012, p. 390). [PRW]
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1957). American balladry from British broadsides. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society / Roud, S. and Bishop, J., eds. (2012). The New Penguin Book of English Folk Songs. London: Penguin Classics.
    Indexer
    EHB
    Example text
    URL
    http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/view/sheet/2634
  • Roud No
    41 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Child 58
    Subject terms
    Scotland / Norway / <Dunfermline> / <Aberdeen> / <Aberdour (Fife)> / Kings / Sailors / Sea captains / Knights / Lords / Ladies / Scots / Daughters / Princesses / <Norwegians> / Omens / New moon / Sea storms / Shipwrecks / Letters / Ships / <Silk> / <Wine> / <Fabrics> / Class differences / <International relations> / Tears / <Bedding> / Sailing / Laughing / <Crying> / <Mourning> / <Mourners> / Loss at sea (person) / Indignation / Fidelity / Betrayal
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The Scottish king wonders where he might find a good skipper. A knight suggests Sir Patrick Spens, prompting the king to command Spens to sail to Norway to bring the Norwegian king’s daughter to Scotland. Spens, knowing that is it not a good time of year to set sail, is angered to have been appointed this task. Nevertheless, off he sails with a crew. After overstaying their welcome in Norway, the Scottish crew readies for the return home, despite a bad weather omen. Indeed, a storm arises and breaches the ship. Vain attempts are made to bind up the ship’s holes. Once loathe to even wet their feet, the Scots lords aboard the ship are now wet to their hats. The ship sinks, leaving maidens and ladies to mourn the loss of those on board. [LEW 2021.05.01]
    Source
    Child, F. J., ed. (1882-95). The English and Scottish popular ballads. Reprinted 1965. New York: Dover Publications. Vol II pp. 26-27
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2 / <Male (Adult) x 1> / <Female (Adult) x 1> /
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    A Child ballad only moderately popular historically but more so in the postwar revival, it first appeared in Percy’s Reliques in 1765 as 'A Scottish Ballad' and subsequently in most of the early Scottish collections. (It is also reported as occurring in the Mansfield Manuscripts of 1763-1786.) Before Scott (1803) it was only eleven verses long, but thereafter it was more than twice that length. Scott was also the first to use the ‘Spens’ title, it having originally had the title ‘Sir Patrick Spence’. Percy put forward the theory that the ballad was based on real historical events in the 13th century in Scotland, but later scholars have not substantiated this. Oral versions, not very many, have come from Scotland and a few from North America. In the postwar revival the ballad has been collected from Jock Duncan, Elizabeth Stewart, and Duncan Williamson, as well as many eminent revival singers. Child (1882-95, Vol II pp. 17-32) considered 18 versions, Bronson (1959-72, Vol II pp. 29-36) 12 tunes. [PRW]
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Child, F. J., ed. (1882-95). The English and Scottish popular ballads. Reprinted 1965. New York: Dover Publications. / Bronson, B. H., ed. (1959-72). The traditional tunes of the Child ballads. Princeton: Princeton University Press
    Indexer
    LEW
    Example text
    URL
  • Roud No
    2680 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Sailors / Mothers / Sons / Fathers / Gales / Storms / Handkerchiefs / Compasses / Keeping watch / <Returning> / <Fear> / <Waves> / Sailing / <Praying> / Sea captains / Trust / <Gallantry> / Closeness (interpersonal) / <Animal riding> / Parental love
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    Father and son are at sea together; the seas run high and father asks his boy if he is afraid - not when they are together is the reply. Mother is watching for their safe return, but finds the boy's handkerchief and the father's compass on the shore in the morning. She knows they are still sailing together ... [RAS]
    Source
    The Skipper and his Boy [sleeve notes]. In: Pardon, W. 2000. Put a Bit of Powder on it, Father [CD]. Stroud: Musical Traditions Records. MTCD305-6, Pp.18-19. Track 1/13.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1 / Male (Adolescent) x 1 / Female (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    RAS
    Example text
    URL
  • Roud No
    12524 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Oceans & seas / Sea captains / Sailors / Ships / Kettles / Food / Seal hunting / Warnings
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The narrator describes his seal-hunting trip aboard the ship, The John Martin. He begins by warning all not go sealing on the John Martin. The narrator talks with Bill about going out on the ice the next day, and says to put the kettle on for tea. Captain Nick Ash throws the kettle overboard onto the ice. Captain Ash spots the seals and orders his men overboard to hunt them, and in short time, they filled the ship 'to the hatch' with their haul. The captain brandishes a stick, saying that the sealers have eaten all of his molasses and pork, and now he's going to make them work. [MET]
    Source
    Murphy, J., ed. (1925). Songs sung by old-time sealers of many years ago. St. John's, Newfoundland: James Murphy. pp. 6-7.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Reardon, Stephen
    Date composed
    1845
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/3...
  • Roud No
    2796 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws dD36
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Seal hunting / Ships / Oceans & seas / Sea storms / Shipwrecks / Loss at sea (person) / Accidental death / Prayer / <Sea captains>
    Subject date
    1914-04 / April 1914
    Synopsis
    A sailing vessel with 170 men disappears, 1914. (Laws 1964, p.265) The sealing vessel, Southern Cross, with one hundred and seventy crew members, is lost in a storm. After harvesting a bumper crop of seals, the Southern Cross heads home, but is struck by a storm. The captain of another ship sees the vessel and assumes that it took shelter, but the Southern Cross is never seen again. The S. S. Kyle is dispatched to find the ship, but can find no trace. The narrator advises to trust in God, and prays that the crew rest peacefully in Heaven. [MET]
    Source
    Greenleaf, E. B. and Mansfield, G. Y., eds. (1933). Ballads and sea songs of Newfoundland. Reprint 1968. Hatboro, PA: Folklore Associates. pp. 281-282.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1964). Native American balladry. Revised edition. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://gestsongs.com/01/southern.htm
  • Roud No
    4079 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws dD33
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Spaniards / Sea captains / Wives / Daughters / Shipwrecks / Accidental death / <Tug boats> / Prayers
    Subject date
    1876-08 -14 / 14 August 1876 (GEST, no date).
    Synopsis
    The Spanish captain and his wife and daughter die when the Margarita is wrecked. (Laws 1964, p.264). A Spanish captain, his wife and daughter, sail for Newfoundland aboard the Margarita. Upon arriving off-shore, they await a tug boat, but none arrives. A heavy fog obliterates the coast, and the ship founders on a rock. All three drown, and the narrator prays for their souls in Heaven. [MET]
    Source
    Greenleaf, E. B. and Mansfield, G. Y., eds. (1933). Ballads and sea songs of Newfoundland. Reprint 1968. Hatboro, PA: Folklore Associates. pp. 275-276.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1 / Female (Adult) x 1 / Female (Adolescent) x 1
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1964). Native American balladry. Revised edition. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society / GEST (no date). 'The Spanish captain'. GEST songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. [online]. Available at: http://gestsongs.com/12/spanishcaptain.htm [Accessed 28 November 2018].
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://gestsongs.com/12/spanishcaptain.htm
  • Roud No
    6469 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Oceans & seas / Sea captains / Ships / Seals (mammals) / Seal hunting / Sea-going operations / Fighting / Telling of tales / Inexperience
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The narrator tells of Maurice Crotty, a great tale teller, who is remembered as an inexperienced seal hunter who has a fist fight with a seal. On his first seal-hunting trip, the captain orders him to take the wheel of the ship, which makes him “shake like a mouse on a skillet.” A large steamer passes by, which Crotty mistakes for a floating apothecary. The next morning, the crew go out on the ice to hunt seals. Crotty is not seen until the men turn back towards the ship with their catches. They spot him having a fist fight with a dangerous male hood seal. The seal knocks Crotty flat, and the narrator and other crew members take him back to the ship, where Crotty claims that the seal did not fight fairly and must have been drunk. [MET]
    Source
    Murphy, J., ed. (1905). Murphy's sealer's song book. St. John's, Newfoundland: James Murphy. pp. 3-5.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 4
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Burke, Johnny
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    James Murphy
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/5...
  • Roud No
    2716 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Arctic Ocean / Ungava (Quebec) / Labrador / Sailors / Sea captains / Inuits / Traders / Inexperience / Snow / Ice / Cold / <Fires> / <Ducks> / Salmon / Hunger / Tall stories
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The narrator, an inexperienced sailor, ships on board for a trip to Labrador. The captain swears to kill him, perhaps for his inexperience. Landing in Labrador, the narrator notes the ice and snow, and the flocks of ducks. The cold even seems to freeze the fire. The ship proceeds to the Arctic Ocean, where the salmon are plentiful, and Ungava, Quebec, where he sees Inuit, who barter with the captain. If he returns home, he’ll tell of the salmon and the starving Inuit. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 2 Tape 23 Track 1
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Cornelly, Tom (or Cornealy)
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/23-01_51.htm
  • Roud No
    7315 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Oceans & seas / Sea captains (fishing) / Fishermen / Ships / Shipwrecks / Sea storms / Eggs (food) / Birds / Hunting / Icebergs / Misfortune
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    Two “jinkers” (bringers of bad luck, or simple incompetents) cause trouble aboard ship. For lack of better men, Jimmie Walsh and Stephen are taken aboard the narrator's schooner. The crew feared bad weather because of the jinkers. The crew go hunting for puffins and their eggs on the Funk Islands, but the jinkers are not given a share of the eggs. When the jinkers are at the wheel and lookout, the ship is almost wrecked on a small iceberg (a “growler”). The entire fishing season is a strain because of the jinkers on board, and the narrator will not go fishing again because of the jinkers. [MET]
    Source
    Doyle, G. S., ed. (1940). The old time songs and poetry of Newfouindland. 2nd ed. St. John's: Gerald S. Doyle. p. 11.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 4
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Devine, Patrick Kevin (GEST, no date).
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Gerald S. Doyle
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    GEST (no date). 'Two jinkers'. GEST songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. [online]. Available at: http://www.gestsongs.com/11/ellenmunn.htm [Accessed 3 July 2018].
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/cns/id/69812
  • Roud No
    V44864 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Fortune (Newfoundland) / Fishermen / Sea captains / Prime ministers / Ships / Rowing boats / Shipwrecks / Hunger / Sydney (Nova Scotia) / Frostbite / Hospitals
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    Two fishermen from Fortune Bay, Newfoundland, are shipwrecked and spend fourteen days in a dory (rowboat) without food or water. They are finally rescued by a passing ship, and the captain takes them to Sydney, Nova Scotia, where they are hospitalized. As they are recovering from frostbite and hunger, they are visited by the Premier of Newfoundland, who orders that they be treated well. [MET]
    Source
    Burke, J., ed. (1912?). Burke's ballads. St. John's, Newfoundland: John Burke. pp. 21-22.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 4
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Burke, Johnny (?)
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    John Burke
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/6...
  • Roud No
    28981 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Sea captains / Sailors / Townspeople / Priests / Ships / Sea storms / Winds / Fog / Main sails / Compasses / Shipwrecks / Death at sea / Helplessness / Prayers
    Subject date
    1878 (GEST, no date).
    Synopsis
    A storm hits the coast of Newfoundland, and several boats are in trouble. Captain Tom Hann tries to steer his ship safely to shore, first hoisting and then lowering his mainsail. In the wind and fog, his boat founders on a rock. All are lost, while those on land watch helplessly. After the storm, the people see the wreckage, and led by their priest, say the rosary. During the same storm, a ship captained by Boyles Murphy is also in trouble with a broken compass. Trying to steer for shore, two members of the crew are swept overboard and drown. The narrator observes this tragedy from his boat, which is also swamped by the storm. He cannot help them. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 2 Tape 15A Track 3
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 6
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Also known as Tobias Murphy and Tom Hann (GEST, no date). .

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Leonard, Peter (GEST, no date).
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    GEST (no date). 'Tobias Murphy and Tom Hann'. GEST songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. [online] Available at: http://gestsongs.com/23/tobias.htm [Accessed 2019-06-24].
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/15A-03_51.htm
  • Roud No
    V44701 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Sea captains / Death / Fishing industries / Seal hunting
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A sea chantey recounts the death of Bill Teller; fishing for three days without success; Billy K., a sealing captain, who can smell where the seals are, and with his fine ship, quickly find a patch of seals. [MET]
    Source
    England, G. A. (1924). Vikings of the ice. Reprinted 1969 as The greatest hunt in the world. Montreal: Tundra Books. p. 129.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 2
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Hanging Johnny (Roud 2625)
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://books.google.ca/books?id=eyc7bW84kPYC&pg=PT125&lpg=PT125...
  • Roud No
    27067 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / <Sea captains> / <Ships> / Ice floes / Seal hunting / Shipwrecks / <Hauling on ropes> / <Hunger> / <Blindness> / <Praise of local people> / <Promises> / <Hospitality>
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    The sealing ship, St. Patrick, under the command of Tom Casey, and with a crew of 28, leaves Carbonear, Newfoundland, for the sealing grounds of White Bay. They kill five seals early on, which is encouraging, but are then jammed in the ice of White Bay for two months. Finally free, they become ice-jammed in Stag Harbour Tickle, and tow the boat with ropes until the ship founders. Hungry, thirsty, and snow-blind, the crew abandons the ship and walks to Stag Harbour, where they are cared for by John Dooley and his wife. The narrator praises them for their hospitality. Eight crew members remain behind, while the rest board the ship, Kitty, commanded by Captain Kelly, and return home. They vow never to sail with Captain Casey again. [MET]
    Source
    Murphy, J., ed. (1925). Songs sung by old-time sealers of many years ago. St. John's, Newfoundland: James Murphy. pp. 3-5.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 30 / Female (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/cns/id/3...
  • Roud No
    953 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    London / Sweethearts / Murderers / Ships / <Sea captains> / <Priests> / Superstitions / Murder / Death by stabbing / Hanging (execution)
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    Willie Graham tells how he murdered his sweetheart. While lying wounded, the young woman tells him to escape to the sea. Willie boards a ship but the weight of his sin is too heavy for the ship to sail. He is imprisoned and due to be hanged. [GHHB]
    Source
    Willie Graham (ca. 1929-1935). [Typescript]. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. James Madison Carpenter Collection AFC 1972/001 MS pp. 01842-01843 (VWML JMC/1/1/2/F)
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1 / Female (Adult) x 1 / <Male (Adult) x 3>
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    GHHB
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.vwml.org/record/VWMLSongIndex/SN25361
  • Roud No
    1174 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / <Dungeness> / Sea captains / Sailors / Northfleet (ship) / <English Channel> / <Steamships> / <Anchors (boats & ships)> / <Shooting> / Drowning / <Crying> / Fear / Shipwrecks / <First mates> / <Terror> / <Emigrants> / <Wood (material)> / Collisions (transport accidents) / Death at sea / Bravery
    Subject date
    1873-01-22 / 22 Jan 1873
    Synopsis
    An emigrant ship, the Northfleet, is laying at anchor at Dungeness, when a Spanish steamer crashes into her, but carries on without any offers of assistance. The Northfleet rapidly begins to sink and all rush for the lifeboats. The Captain orders that the women and children take the boats first, and shoots a man who disobeys him. He then gives his wife into the care of his First Mate - and goes down with the ship. The song ends with prayers and tears for those lost. [RAS]
    Source
    The Wreck of the Northfleet [sleeve notes]. In: Upton, H. 2001. Up in the North and Down in the South [CD]. Stroud: Musical Traditions Records. MTCD311-2. P. 6. Track 1/2.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1 + / Female (Adult) x 1 +
    Song voice
    Male Female
    Song history
    Notes

    This is the true story of a shipwreck which took place on the night of 22nd January 1873. Surprisingly, there appear to be no broadsides.

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    RAS
    Example text
    URL
  • Roud No
    24242 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Newfoundland and Labrador / Oceans & seas / Sailors / Sea captains / Ships / Shipwrecks / Sea storms / Rescuing
    Subject date
    1919-11-12 / 11 Dec 1919 (GEST, no date).
    Synopsis
    The steamship, Ethie, is caught in a storm, and through skillful seamanship, is run aground in Bonne Bay, Newfoundland, without loss of life. The Ethie leaves Daniel's Harbour, when several hours later, a raging storm threatens to sink the ship. But the purser, first mate, and captain use their skills to run the ship aground off of Martin's Point. Those on shore rig a boatswain's chair to bring all ashore safely. [MET]
    Source
    Greenleaf, E. B. and Mansfield, G. Y., eds. (1933). Ballads and sea songs of Newfoundland. Reprint 1968. Hatboro, PA: Folklore Associates. pp. 277-280.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 3
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Easin, Burney
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    GEST (no date). 'Wreck of the steamship Ethie'. GEST songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. [online]. Available at: http://gestsongs.com/07/ethie.htm [Accessed 4 July 2018]
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://gestsongs.com/07/ethie.htm
  • Roud No
    4417 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Laws dD35
    Subject terms
    Renews-Cappahayden (Newfoundland) / <Cape Spear (Newfoundland)> / Oceans & seas / <Sea captains> / Ships' passengers / Ocean liners / Sea storms / Rescuing / Accidental death / Grief / Loss at sea (person) / Shipwrecks
    Subject date
    1918-02-23 / 23 Feb 1918
    Synopsis
    The passenger ship, S. S. Florizel, wrecks on the rocks near Renews, Newfoundland, with the loss of many lives. The ship sails despite an impending storm, which hits as the ship rounds Cape Spear. Neither Captain Martin nor the passengers are concerned, as the Florizel is a sturdy ship. Near Renews, the ship strikes a rock and many passengers are washed overboard. The ship sends a distress signal and a ship comes to the rescue of the remaining passengers. A gloom is cast on the homes of those lost. [MET]
    Source
    Greenleaf, E. B. and Mansfield, G. Y., eds. (1933). Ballads and sea songs of Newfoundland. Reprint 1968. Hatboro, PA: Folklore Associates. pp. 283-284.
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Endacott, Joan (words) / Freeman, Harvey (music)
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Laws, G. M. (1964). Native American balladry. Revised edition. Philadelphia: American Folklore Society
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://gestsongs.com/01/florizel.htm
  • Roud No
    V15645 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    At sea setting / Sailors / Sea storms / Shipwrecks / London (ship) / <Rescuing> / <Australia> / Steamships / Ships' passengers / Bay of Biscay / Brooke, Gustavus Vaughan, 1818-1866 / Martin, J.B., -1866 / Falmouth
    Subject date
    1866-01-11 / 11January 1866
    Synopsis
    The emigrant ship London sets out for Australia but founders in a storm in the Bay of Biscay. The crew and passenger try to save the ship. A minster leads prayers. Nineten people escape in a boat and return to Falmouth. [CPB]
    Source
    The bonnie bunch o' roses O [and] The Wreck of the London (ca. 1866). [broadside]. No imprint. Held at: Oxford: Bodleian Library. 2806 c.13(149)
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1 +
    Song voice
    Unspecified
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Indexer
    CPB
    Example text
    URL
    http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/view/sheet/6713
  • Roud No
    30132 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Corner Brook (Newfoundland) / Sailors / Sea captains / First mates / Bo'suns / Scots / Ships / Sea storms / Shipwrecks / Rigging (boats & ships) / Lifeboats (shipboard) / Death at sea / Blame / Government / Politicians / Lighthouses
    Subject date
    1881 or 1883 (GEST, no date).
    Synopsis
    The ship, Jane Hunter, leaves Corner Brook, Newfoundland, and encounters a storm. The ship is wrecked on the rocks. The captain is sick, and the first mate and bos’un first ordered the crew to climb the rigging, and then to abandon ship in the lifeboat. Three Scottish sailors jump overboard, but only one survives. The dead and dying cling to wreckage. The captain breaks his arm and succumbs. The narrator blames the government for not placing a lighthouse on shore to prevent shipwrecks, and urges the politicians to think of those who died. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 2 Tape 10A Track 14
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 6
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    Comparative songs
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    GEST (no date). 'John Cutter '. GEST songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. [online] Available at: http://gestsongs.com/20/cutter.htm [Accessed 2019-06-02]
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/10A-14_51.htm
  • Roud No
    6468 [Click on the Roud number to search for variants of this song]
    Other nums
    Subject terms
    Montreal / Boston (Massachusetts) / Gloucester (Massachusetts) / St John's (Newfoundland) / Railway construction personnel / Fishermen / <Sea captains (fishing)> / River boats / Ships / Sea storms / Shipwrecks / Being swept overboard / Accidental death / Leaving home / Robbery / Working conditions / Travel
    Subject date
    Synopsis
    A group of Newfoundlanders leave home to work on a railroad near Montreal, but the work is too hard, so they go to Halifax. There they are employed on a riverboat, but are robbed of their wages. From there they go to Boston, and then Gloucester, where they sign onto the fishing vessel, Morning's Gloom, heading for George's Bank. They are hit by a severe storm, which carries them dangerously close to the Newfoundland coast. As the ship is wrecked, seven of the fourteen fishermen are washed overboard, but the rest reach safety in St John's, Newfoundland, where they recount their experiences. The narrator concludes by claiming that the George's Bank fishery is the most dangerous. [MET]
    Source
    Leach, M., ed. (2004). MacEdward Leach and the songs of Atlantic Canada. [online]. St John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland. NFLD 1 Tape 11A Track 10
    Characters
    Male (Adult) x 1
    Song voice
    Male
    Song history
    Notes

    An earlier, more fragmentary version, appears in Greenleaf and Mansfield (1933, pp. 306-3070; the song is also known as The Shea Gang (Peacock 1965, p. 916).

    Comparative songs
    Fifteen ships on George's Banks (Roud 2229)
    Author / Composer
    Date composed
    Printer / Publisher
    Named singer
    Named venue
    Bib. ref(s)
    Greenleaf, E. B. and Mansfield, G. Y., eds. (1933). Ballads and sea songs of Newfoundland. Reprint 1968. Hatboro, PA: Folklore Associates. / Peacock, K. (1965). Songs of the Newfoundland outports. Ottawa: National Museum of Canada.
    Indexer
    MET
    Example text
    URL
    http://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD1/11A-10.htm