Songs from Cape Breton Island

The musical traditions on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada, have been shaped by a combination of social and geographic factors--none more so than the arrival of pioneering Scottish Gaelic-speaking communities who, in the 19th century, fled crop failures to seek better lives on its shores. While Scottish piping traditions were upheld and revered by the islanders, Gaelic singing was not embraced in the same way, with younger generations favoring modern music.

The performers on this album were members of the last generation of Scots in Canada to hear and speak Gaelic from birth. They learned the songs from their parents and at milling frolics, where groups would prepare homespun woollen cloth accompanied by simple, beat-driven songs.

A social and musical history of the island informs the liner notes, along with lyrics, musicological analysis, and histories of the songs.

Track Listing

101	Hé Mo Leannan (Hey, My Darling) Dan J. Morrison	03:49
102	Mo H-Ingheann Dhonn (My Brown-Haired Maiden) Malcolm J. MacAulay	03:12
103	La la Lò, la Luadhadh (With Water, with Milling) Singers during milling frolic at Skir Dhu	03:27
104	An Seòladair Curanta (The Steadfast Mariner) Singers during milling frolic at Skir Dhu	02:28
105	N Uair Nighidh Tù (When You Wash) Singers during milling frolic at Skir Dhu	02:19
201	A' Challuinn (New Year's Day) Singers at St. Ann's College	02:06
202	Gaol An T-Seòladair (The Sailor's Sweetheart) Dan J. Morrison	03:00
203	Moladh Na Lanndaidh (In Praise of Islay) Tom Angus MacDonald	01:11
204	S A' Righinn Thu Dhe Shogh (Thou Art Princess of Cheer) Malcolm Angus MacLeod	01:12
205	Mo Run, Mo Nighean Dhonn Bhòidheach (My Love, My Pretty Brown-Haired Girl) John Alex MacDonald	02:34
206	Lan I De Dh'Ainneadh (She Is Full of Patience) Singers at Briton Cove	02:26
207	Flowers of the Forest Captain Fraser Holmes	01:37
208	I'll Get a Soldier for a Shilling Captain Fraser Holmes	00:53