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Lumbering Songs from the Ontario Shanties

Various Artists
Lumbering Songs from the Ontario Shanties

Canadian folk song authority Edith Fowke recorded men who decades earlier had ventured into the North Woods of Ontario to cut timber. Known as lumbermen, shanty boys, or lumberjacks, the men endured both cold and substantial danger. As many lumbermen lost their lives plying their trade, it is not surprising that a number of songs memorialize fallen comrades. Other songs relate everyday life in the lumber camps, the work, or leisure time in town. The songs in this collection are field recordings, many recorded in the lumbermen’s homes.

Liner notes describe the circumstances of Fowkes’ recording efforts, provide general background information, and discuss the origin of each song along with its lyrics.

Track Listing

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101
Jim Doherty
01:25
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102
Tom Brandon
03:49
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103
O. J. Abbott
01:43
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104
Joe Kelly
02:19
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105
Emerson Woodcock
03:37
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106
Leo Spencer
03:12
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107
O. J. Abbott
02:06
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108
John Leahy
03:38
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109
Sam Campsall
02:48
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201
John Leahy
02:47
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202
Emerson Woodcock
04:45
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203
O. J. Abbott
02:09
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204
Tom Brandon
03:15
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205
Emerson Woodcock
02:43
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206
Martin Sullivan
03:02
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207
Martin McManus
00:57
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208
O. J. Abbott
03:02
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209
Jim Doherty
02:25