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

101	When the Shantyboy Comes Down	Jim Doherty	01:25
102	The Jam on Jerry's Rocks	Tom Brandon	03:49
103	How We Got Back to the Woods Last Year	O. J. Abbott	01:43
104	Johnny Doyle	Joe Kelly	02:19
105	Jimmy Whelan	Emerson Woodcock	03:37
106	Turner's Camp	Leo Spencer	03:12
107	Hogan's Lake	O. J. Abbott	02:06
108	Johnny Murphy	John Leahy	03:38
109	The Shantyboy's Alphabet	Sam Campsall	02:48
201	Jack Haggerty	John Leahy	02:47
202	Bill Dunbar	Emerson Woodcock	04:45
203	The Basketong	O. J. Abbott	02:09
204	Johnny Stiles	Tom Brandon	03:15
205	The Backwoodsman	Emerson Woodcock	02:43
206	Harry Dunn	Martin Sullivan	03:02
207	The Falling of the Pine	Martin McManus	00:57
208	The Chapeau Boys	O. J. Abbott	03:02
209	Save Your Money While You're Young	Jim Doherty	02:25