Songs of the Maritimes: Lumberman Songs and Songs of the Sea

Songs of the Maritime Provinces of Canada—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island—reflect the two principal industries of the provinces, fishing and lumbering. In this collection Alan Mills—rather than presenting traditional ballads that settlers brought from Europe—performs “home-grown” ballads by “sailors, fishermen, woodsmen and others who had stories to tell of real experiences, and who told their stories in song.” One of these was Larry Gorman, a 19th-century songwriter influential enough to make or break a lumber camp with his lyrics.

Canadian Alan Mills (1913-1977) forsook a career in journalism to become a prominent folksinger, actor, and the host of a folk music radio show for children. He can be heard on over 20 Smithsonian Folkways recordings, both for adults and for children.

Liner notes provide the background of each song along with the lyrics.

Track Listing

101	The Winter of '73	Alan Mills	02:33
102	Tomah Stream	Alan Mills	03:26
103	Beware of Larry Gorman	Alan Mills	00:35
104	In Byrontown	Alan Mills	03:24
105	The Scow on Cowden's Shore	Alan Mills	04:38
106	The Boys of the Island	Alan Mills	01:52
107	Peter Emberley	Alan Mills	04:14
108	Rufus's Mare	Alan Mills	03:08
201	Duffy's Hotel	Alan Mills	02:09
202	The Jones Boys	Alan Mills	00:56
203	In the Month of October	Alan Mills	01:02
204	The Ghostly Sailors	Alan Mills	04:10
205	Harbor Grace	Alan Mills	01:37
206	The Banks of Newfoundland	Alan Mills	04:22
207	Mary L. MacKay	Alan Mills	04:21
208	Corbitt's Barkentine	Alan Mills	05:06