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Safe & Sound: Traditional Canadian Folk Songs

by Maura Volante

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1.
Hey Arise and Come Along Hey arise and come along! Oh, arise and come along! Rise, arise and come along And bid farewell to Canada. The day is fine, the wind is fair And it’s swiftly flows the tide The boat is sailing o’er the main To bring me far from Canada. Hey arise … Here I lie all alone On the California shore And the lass that I adore She mourns alone in Canada. Hey arise … Tell that handsome girl of mine If I return before I die I will drive her in great style Along the roads of Canada. Hey arise … In Quebec, that noble town We arrived here safe and sound And in the tavern we’ll sit down And drink a health to Canada. Hey arise …
2.
A Maid I Am In Love A maid I am in love and I dare not complain For the sake of a sailor lad I have crossed the raging main And if I do not find him I shall mourn him constantly And for the sake of Jutney a maid I’ll live and die. Blue jacket and white trousers this fair maid she put on And like a jolly sailor lad she boldly marched along She bargained with a captain his mate all for to be To be his own companion across the raging sea. One night as they were talking and just a-going to bed The captain smiled at her and said, “I wish you were a maid Your rosy cheeks and ruby lips they so entice me That I do wish with all my heart you were a maid to me.” “Oh no, oh no, dear captain, such talk is all in vain And if the lads should hear of it of you they’d make great game And when our barque does reach the shore some pretty girls we’ll find We’ll laugh and sport among them, we are both well inclined.” ’Twas about a fortnight later, their barque did reach the shore Saying, “Fare thee well, dear captain, I ne’er shall see you more A sailor as I was on board, a maid I am on shore Saying fare thee well, dear captain, for I ne’er shall see you more.” “Come back, come back, my pretty fair maid, and stay along with me I have a handsome fortune and that I’ll give to thee Five thousand pounds all in bright gold guarantee on you I’ll bind If you’ll come back, my pretty fair maid, and say that you’ll be mine.” “Oh no, oh no, dear captain, such talk is all in vain For I’m in search of a sailor lad who’s crossed the raging main And if I do not find him I shall mourn him constantly And for the sake of Jutney a maid I’ll live and die.”
3.
The Chesapeake and the Shannon Oh, the Chesapeake, so bold out of Boston as we’re told Came to take the British frigate neat and handy-o And the people in the port all came out to see the sport And their bands all played up Yankee Doodle Dandy-o. And their bands all played up Yankee Doodle Dandy-o. Before this action had begun, the Yankees made much fun Said, “We’ll tow her up to Boston neat and handy-o And afterwards we’ll dine, treat our sweethearts all with wine And we’ll dance a jig of Yankee Doodle Dandy-o.” And we’ll … Well, the British frigate’s name which for the purpose came To cool the Yankees’ courage neat and handy-o Was the Shannon; Captain Broke, all his men had hearts of oak And in fighting were allowed to be the dandy-o. And in … Well, the fight had scarce begun when they flinchèd from our guns They thought that they could take us neat and handy-o Captain Broke he waved his sword, saying, “Come me boys, we’ll board And we’ll stop them playing Yankee Doodle Dandy-o.” And … When the Britons heard this word, they all quickly sprang on board They seized the Yankees’ ensign neat and handy-o Notwithstanding all their brags, the British raised their flags On the Yankees’ mizzen peak to the be the dandy-o. On the … Here’s to Broke and all his crew, who with courage stout and true Fought against the Yankee frigate neat and handy-o And may they ever prove both in fighting and in love That the British tars will always be the dandy-o. That the …
4.
The Old Beggar Man “Where were you born and where were you bred?” “In Scotland town in a foreign counteree In Scotland town where I was born There t’were a maid and she gave to me a ring.” “If this ring proves bright and clear You’ll know that I am true to thee my dear If this ring proves pale and worn You’ll know that your true love is with another man.” I shipped on board and away sailed I I sailed away to a foreign counteree I looked at the ring, it was pale and worn I knew that my true love was with another man. I shipped on board and back sailed I I sailed ’til I came to my own counteree One day as I was a-riding along Who did I meet but a poor old beggar man. “What news, what news have you got today? What news have you got for me today?” “Sad news, sad news, I’ve got today Tomorrow is your true lover’s wedding day.” “Come put on this riding suit And I’ll put on the beggar’s suit.” “The riding suit’s not fit for me The beggar’s suit’s not fit for thee.” “What care I if it’s right or wrong.” The beggar’s suit he did put on He toddled away at a weary rate He set down his pack at yonder gate. And he begged from the parlour, he begged from the hall He begged from the poorest and richest of them all But as for wine he’d take none at all Unless he could get it from the bride’s own hand. Down came the bride a-tripping down the stairs With rings on her fingers and gold in her hair And in her hand a glass of wine To give it to the poor old beggar man. Out of the glass he drank the wine And into the glass he slipped the ring “Did you get it by land or on sea Or did you take it off a drowned man’s hand?” “I didn’t get it by land or on sea I didn’t take it off a drowned man’s hand I got it from my true love on our courting day And given it back to her on her wedding day.” Rings from her fingers she did pull off And gold from her hair she did let fall “I’ll follow my true love wherever he may go Although he begs our bread from door to door.” Between the kitchen and the hall The beggar’s suit he did let fall The gold that shone was the finest of all He was the fairest young man in the hall.
5.
Free and Easy Jogging Along Oh it’s of my rambles I’m going to sing Like a rambling blackbird all in the spring The summer sunbeams shone all day long I was free and easy jogging along The summer sunbeams shone all day long I was free and easy jogging along. Oh, it’s when we all went to Belleville green The boys and the girls were there to be seen The happiest lad amongst the throng I was free and easy jogging along The happiest lad amongst the throng … Oh, it’s when we all went to Belleville quay It was just twelve miles from Belleville green They sat me down to sing a song ’Twas called free and easy jogging along They sat me down … Oh we had not sailed ’bout two or three days When a pretty fair maid stared me in the face “Oh,” she said, “Are you a married man?” “No, I’m free and easy jogging along “Oh,” she said … Oh, I took her over to yonder inn I ordered liquor, both ale and gin She wanted to join both heart and hand Forget free and easy jogging along She wanted … “No,” I said, “Fair maiden, that ne’er can be For I’m resolved to cross the sea When a man gets married his race is run I’ll go free and easy jogging along When a man …”
6.
Jim Whalen 02:55
Jim Whalen Come gentlemen and ladies, I’d have you to draw near ’Tis of a mournful accident that I would have you hear ’Tis of a young and noble youth, Jim Whalen he was called Who was drowned off Pete McLaren’s raft, below the Upper Fall. The rapids they were raging, the river it ran high The foreman to young Whalen said, “This jam we have to try You are both young and active; of danger you’ve no fear You’re just the man to help me now and get the river clear.” Young Whalen then made answer unto his comrades bold “Come one and all together, we’ll do as we are told We’ll obey our orders bravely as noble men should do But as he spoke, the jam it broke and let poor Whalen through. Three brave youths were on that jam and two of them were saved But noble-hearted Whalen sank far beneath the waves No mortal man could live upon that foaming watery main And though he struggled hard for life, his struggles were in vain. The foaming waters roared and tossed the logs from shore to shore Now here, now there, his body went a-tumbling o’er and o’er One final cry for mercy, “Oh God, look down on me!” Then his soul was freed from earthly care, bound to eternity. Come all ye jolly raftsmen, think on poor Whalen’s fate Take warning and be careful before it is too late For death’s still lurking ’round you, still seeking to destroy The pride of many a father’s heart and many a mother’s joy.
7.
Lost Jimmy Whalen Slowly as I strayed on the banks of a river A-viewing those roses as the evening drew nigh As onward I rambled I espied a fair damsel She was weeping and wailing with many a sigh. She was weeping for one that was now lying lonely Weeping for one that no mortal can save For the dark rolling waters lie slowly around him As onward they flow over young Jimmy’s grave. Slowly there rose from the depths of the desert A vision of beauty more brighter than the sun With roses of crimson around him a-waving To speak to this young one he just had begun. “Why do you call me from redlums* of glory Back to this wide world I no longer can stay To embrace you once more in my strong loving arms To see you once more I have come from my grave.” “Darling,” she said, “won’t you bury me with you Do not desert me to weep and to mourn But take me, oh take me along with you, Jimmy To sleep with you down in your cold silent tomb.” “Darling,” he said, “you are asking a favour” That no mortal person can grant unto thee For deep is the desert that parts us asunder And wide is the gulf lies between you and me.” She threw herself down and she wept bitterly In the deepest of anguish those words she did say “Oh, you are my darling, my lost Jimmy Whalen I’ll sigh ’til I die by the side of your grave.” *realms
8.
Hurry Up, Harry Come all you true born shantyboys and listen unto me And whene’er a woodsman that you should chance to see We are a merry set of boys, so handsome, young and fine And spend a jolly winter a-cutting down the pine. So it’s hurry up, Harry, and Tom or Dick or Joe And you may take the pail, boys, and for the water go In the middle of the splashing, the cook will “Dinner!” cry And you’d ought to see them hurry up for fear they’d lose their pie. There’s blackstrap molasses, buns as hard as rock Tea that’s boiled in an old tin pail and smells just like your sock The beans they are sour, the porridge thick as dough And when we’ve have stashed this in our craw, it’s to the woods we’ll go So it’s hurry up, Harry, … A-hitching up our braces, a-binding up our feet A-grinding up our axes, for our kind is hard to beat! A-shouldering up our crosscuts and through the woods we go We are a jolly set of boys a-trudging through the snow. So it’s hurry up, Harry, … So deeply in that tree of pine we notch to guide its fall And not a man among us but will hear the timber call And when it crashes to the ground, we fall to with a will A-trimmin’ up the branches and a-swearin’ fit to kill. So it’s hurry up, Harry, … Arriving at the shanty, wet, tired and with wet feet We all take off our socks and boots, our supper for to eat At nine o’clock or thereabouts into our bunks we’ll crawl To sleep away the few short hours until the morning call So it’s hurry up, Harry, …
9.
Thyme ’Tis a Pretty Flower Thyme ’tis a pretty flower That grows out under the sun And it’s time you and I have come to an end For it’s now our time rolls on. It’s very well drinking ale But still better drinking wine And far better sitting on a bonny boy’s knee That gains this heart of mine. Thyme ’tis a pretty flower … She walks in the garden This lady oh so fine And she weeds her gardens green Lest no one steal her thyme. Thyme ’tis a pretty flower … It’s very well drinking ale … Thyme ’tis a pretty flower …
10.
The Dapple Grey The wind it blew all from the Northway When he came courting me He said he would take ’way to the Northway And there he’d marry me. “Bring me some of your father’s gold And some of your mother’s fee Two of the best horses in the stable Where there stand thirty and three.” She brought him some of her father’s gold And some of her mother’s fee Two of the best horses in the stable Where there stood thirty and three. She mounted on her milk-white steed And he on the dapple grey They rode ’til they came down to the seaside Three hours before it was day. “Cast off, cast off your white silken gown And deliver it unto me It’s six pretty maidens I have drownded here The seventh one you shall be.” “If I must cast off my white silken gown Pray turn your back toward me I don’t think it right for a villain like you A naked woman to see.” So he turned his back toward her While she did so bitterly weep She grabbed him by the small of the waist And landed him into the deep. He sped high and he sped low And he sped near to the side “Take hold of my hand, my pretty Polly And I will make you my bride.” “Lie there, lie there, you false-hearted man Lie there instead of me It’s six pretty maidens you have drownded here The seventh one drownded thee.” She mounted on her milk-white steed And led the dapple grey She rode ’til she came to her own father’s door One hour before it was day. The parrot being up in the castle so high On seeing the maiden did say “What is the matter, my pretty Polly? You tarry such a long time away.” “Hold your tongue, my pretty parrot Don’t tell no tales on me And your cage will be made of the fine beaten gold And the doors of the best ivory.” The Queen being up on the castle so high On hearing the parrot did say “What is the matter, my pretty parrot? You prattle so long before day.” “No laughing matter,” the parrot replied “So loudly I call upon thee There is a cat on the high window ledge I’m afraid she might worry me.” “Well turned, well turned, my pretty parrot Well turned, well turned,” said she “Your cage will be made of the fine beaten gold And be hung on an olive tree.”
11.
Gypsy Davy 04:02
Gypsy Davy A Gypsy Davy came to town Riding on a pony He whistled while he sang and the green woods rang And he won the heart of a lady. Fal the dal da, fal the dee die doh Fal the dal da doh day dee He whistled while he sang and the green woods rang And he won the heart of a lady. The lady to her window came Her servants all behind her She listened while he sang and the green woods rang And he won the heart of a lady. Fal the dal da, … Her lord came home in the middle of the night Returning to his lady But she had gone with the cold, cold dawn Had gone with the Gypsy Davy. Fal the dal da, … “Harness up my milk white steed The brown is not so speedy I’ll ride all day and I’ll ride all night ’Til I overtake my lady.” Fal the dal da, … So he rode east and he rode west He swore that he would find her And by his side she then would ride And a thousand cords would bind her. Fal the dal da, … So he rode east and he rode west He rode ’til he found his lady His sword he drew, his wife he slew Before the Gypsy Davy. Fal the dal da, … Last night I slept on a feather bed With servants all around me Tonight I’ll die on the cold, cold ground Beside the Gypsy Davy. Fal the dal da, …
12.
Bonnie Banks of Virgie-O Three young ladies went for a walk All alone and a-lonely-o, They met a robber on their way, On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Virgie-O. He took the first one by the hand, All alone … He whipped her around and made her stand, On the … “Will you be a robber’s wife, All alone … Or will you die by my penknife?” On the … “I will not be a robber’s wife, All alone … I’d rather die by your penknife,” On the … He then took out his little penknife, All alone … And there he took her own sweet life, On the … He took the second one by the hand, All alone … He whipped her around and made her stand, On the … “Will you be a robber’s wife, All alone … Or will you die by my penknife?” On the … “I will not be a robber’s wife, All alone … I’d rather die by your penknife,” On the … He then took out his little penknife, All alone … And there he took her own sweet life, On the … He took the third one by the hand, All alone … He whipped her around and made her stand, On the … “Will you be a robber’s wife, All alone … Or will you die by my penknife?” On the … “I will not be a robber’s wife, All alone … And I’ll not die by your penknife,” On the … “If my brothers had been here, All alone … You would not have murdered my sisters, dear,” On the … “What are your brothers, I pray you tell,” All alone … “One is a robber like yourself,” On the … “What is the other, I pray you tell, All alone … “The other is a minister,” On the … “Oh my God, what have I done?, All alone … I’ve murdered my sisters, all but one,” On the … He then took out his little penknife, All alone … And there he took his own sweet life, On the …
13.
The Golden Vanity There was a gallant ship in North Americay And the name of the ship was the Golden Vanity She was said to be taken by the Turkish Commune And sunk in the lowlands, the lowlands And sunk in the lowlands low. The first to come on board was a little cabin boy Saying, “Captain, what will you give me if yon ship I do destroy?” “Gold I will give you and my daughter for your bride If you’ll sink her in the lowlands, … The boy took an auger and he swam away to sea He swam well away from the Golden Vanity And when he had breasted the Turkish Commune He would sink her in the lowlands, … The boy took the auger and three holes he bored twice Some were playing cards and some were shaking the dice Our dark eyes did sparkle as the waters they poured in And she sank in the lowlands… The boy did a brisk and he swam away to sea He swam right back to the Golden Vanity “Shipmates, pick me up for I’m sinking in the sea I’m sinking in the lowlands, … “Pick you up,” said the Captain, “Oh, this you should’ve known The promise that I made to you was made to you alone Gold I will not give you nor my daughter for your bride You can sink in the lowlands, … The boy beat his arms and he reached the other side When he saw his shipmates unto them he cried “Mates, pick me up for I’m sinking in the tide I’m sinking in the lowlands, … His mates picked him up and ’twas there on deck he died They rolled him in his blanket, it was so long and wide They rolled him in his blanket and they lowered him in the tide And he sank in the lowlands, …
14.
The Murder of Maggie Howie I am an Irishman by birth, my name is Michael Lee I fell in love with a pretty girl, which proved my destiny I fell in love with a pretty girl, Maggie Howie was her name It’s cruel that I have murdered her, I own it to my shame. Maggie Howie was a farmer’s daughter, the truth to you I’ll tell She resided in Napanee where she was known quite well It’s true I loved her dearly, as you will understand For she is wearing my own gold ring upon her lily white hand. For a long time I courted her, I was filled with joy and pride For a long time I courted her, I thought she’d be my bride Night and day both passed away in my love’s company Her parents interfering, she would not marry me. It was early one Tuesday morning, my love along did stray I overtook my darling and those words to her did say, “My dearest dear, I must be severe and take away your life Unless you promise to marry me and become my lawful wife.” She wrang her hands in anger and wept most bitterly Saying, “Michael, do have mercy and do not murder me.” But I was deaf to all her cries, no mercy could I show And in my hands I took the axe, and struck that fatal blow. My love fell, dead, down at my feet, it was a mortal wound And over her fair bosom the blood came pouring down I ran away into the woods, my sorrow to prevail But I was overtaken and sent to the county jail. So it’s now I am a prisoner in the town of Napanee It’s here I’ll stand my trial and the judge will sentence me It’s true that I am guilty and I do deserve to die For the murder of my own true love, all on the gallows high.
15.
Well Sold The Cow Come all ye good people, a story I’ll tell It’s of a rich farmer in Yorkshire did dwell He had a youthful boy which he hired as a man All for to do his work and his name it was John. Fal de diddle dido, fal de dal de dey Fal de diddle dido, fal de dal de dey. One morning, bright early, John’s master arose Into John’s room he instantly goes “Jack, my dear fellow, drive this cow to the fair For she is in good order and her we can spare.” Fal de diddle dido, … So Jack took the cow and drove her out of the farm He had not gone far when he met with three men He had not gone far when he met with three men And he sold the cow for nine pounds ten. Fal de diddle dido, … They went to an ale house all for to get a drink Those three men paid him right down in a jink “What will I do with my money, landlady?” said he “In the lining of your coat I’ll sew it,” said she “For it’s here upon the road you robbèd might be.” Fal de diddle dido, … A robber in the room sat drinking up his wine Thinking to himself, “That money shall be mine,” Jack took his leave and he started for home The robber he followed him out of the room. Fal de diddle dido, … The robber overtook him all on the highway “How far do you travel, young man?” he did say “Three or four miles as near I know” And he jumped on behind and away they did go. Fal de diddle dido, … They rode along together ’til they came to a narrow lane “Deliver up your money, young man,” he did say “Deliver up your money, without fear or strife Or this very moment I will take away your life.” Fal de diddle dido, … Jack jumped down without fear or doubt From the lining of his coat he pulled the money out From the lining of his coat he pulled the money out And all along the green grass he scattered it about. Fal de diddle dido, … The robber jumped down from off of his horse Little did he think it would be to his worse While gathering up the money Jack threw on the grass Jack jumped on the saddle and he rode away with the horse. Fal de diddle dido, … One of the servants saw Jack coming home Into the master he instantly run “Jack, my dear fellow, have you made a swap? Or did my cow turn into a horse?” Fal de diddle dido, … “No, my dear master, the truth I’ll unfold I was stopped on the way by a highwayman so bold While gathering up the money I threw along the grass To prove myself a man, I brought home the horse.” Fal de diddle dido, … When the saddle bags were opened and in them were fold Five hundred bright guineas in silver and gold A pair of bright pistols, the master did vow “Jack, my dear fellow, you have well sold the cow.” Fal de diddle dido, …

about

Safe & Sound captures fifteen traditional folk songs that have been safe in the folklore archives and brings them to sound. This album is part of Maura’s long-term project of bringing traditional Canadian folk songs to a wider audience. She has performed for decades in folk clubs, festivals and educational settings, but the time has come to release a studio recording of these songs, which were mostly culled from books and field recordings. The sensitive production of James Stephens gives this project an appealing sound for contemporary ears while retaining the raw energy and simplicity of traditional singing styles.

The album opens with “Hey Arise”, which uses a Scottish tune to tell the story of Canadian men travelling to California for the 1849 gold rush. Maura enlisted the help of acclaimed duo Alexis MacIsaac and Calum MacKenzie on fiddle and piano for this one.

The next song offers the contrast of Maura’s voice, solo. About half the songs on this project were recorded unaccompanied, as it is the most common practice for folk songs that have come to us from oral tradition. Some songs just seem to work better that way.

Several tracks feature the nuanced guitar of Ernie Fraser, who is proficient in many styles but being from Cape Breton Island, he is grounded in traditional folk music.

James Stephens, in addition to being a recording wizard with an uncanny ear, is a multi-instrumentalist, featured in this project on fiddle, bass and octave mandolin as well as vocal harmony.

Ann Downey (Finest Kind and many other projects) is one of those vocalists who always finds the most appropriate harmony for any song. Fern Vale blends their voice with Maura’s, adding texture and timbre to the choruses.

Although the album is a delight for listening, with ballads, work songs, lyric laments and love songs, one of Maura’s main goals is to inspire others to learn and sing this material for themselves. To facilitate learning the songs, all the lyrics are posted here with each song. There is also a booklet available separately with lyrics and source information on the songs. The printed booklet is available to purchase. To download a digital version for free, use this link to access the file on Google Drive: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dLxoQfY-X_q_YMVHcNw-bqFRepK5-iBQ?usp=sharing

A Note on the Texts
The citation below each song indicates the source I used to learn it. However, over time I have made slight changes here and there. Some were misrememberings while others were conscious choices. I have aligned the texts in this booklet with the singing on the recording.
None of these changes alters the story or meaning of the song. But if you compare these lyrics with the source texts, you may see differences.

credits

released April 1, 2022

Produced by James Stephens

All songs sung by Maura Volante

Musicians:
Ernie Fraser: guitar
James Stephens: bass guitar, fiddle, octave mandolin & vocals
Calum MacKenzie: piano
Alexis MacIsaac: fiddle
Ann Downey: vocals
Fern Vale: vocals

Cover designed by Ian Bell
Photo: Susie Shapiro
Cover art: Detail of a hooked mat from the collection of R. Thurgood, from the Burling Estate, Southside St. John's, Nfld.

Trout Lily Publishing

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Maura Volante Ottawa, Ontario

Maura Volante is a singer of traditional folk songs, with a focus on those collected in Canada. She discovered folk music in the 1960s and has deepened her understanding over the decades. Maura has performed at festivals, coffee houses, concerts and living rooms all over Canada (and worldwide on Zoom), as well as passing on her knowledge and enthusiasm through workshops, courses and lessons. ... more

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