The Doukhobors of British Columbia

This album is a collection of field recordings of hymns and folk songs from the Doukhobor communities of British Columbia, Canada. Taking their name from the Russian word dukhoborets, which means ”spirit-warrior,” the Doukhobors are a religious sect that formed in Russia during the 17th century. Because they are a pacifist sect that rejected the clergy, theology, and ritual of the mainstream Russian Orthodox church, they faced a great deal of persecution from the Russian Imperial government, eventually leading them to immigrate to Canada during the 1890s with the help of Quakers and Leo Tolstoy. Many of their descendants live in British Columbia and other parts of Canada to this day. The songs in this album, most of them hymns from various sources that have been passed down orally from one generation to the next, are all sung a cappella by large groups. Liner notes include a brief history of the Doukhobor community with photographs and lyrics of the songs in Russian and English.

Track Listing

101	Four Coffins, Sacrificed to God	Michael and Polia Arishekoff	02:52
102	We Will Thank the Host and Hostess	Michael and Polia Arishekoff	02:09
103	Song of the Mosquito	Michael and Polia Arishekoff	02:11
104	O Mountain of Holy Zion (Psalm)	Doukhobor choir, Krestova, British Columbia	02:29
105	Land of Treasure	Doukhobor choir, Krestova, British Columbia	03:04
106	End of Meeting Song	Doukhobor choir, Krestova, British Columbia	02:49
107	Young Men Were Born from Holy Crowds (Psalm)	Doukhobor choir, Krestova, British Columbia	03:48
108	High Went up the Star in the Sky	Doukhobor choir, Krestova, British Columbia	03:55
201	Declaration of Faiths	Doukhobor choirs from Grand Forks and Brilliant, British Columbia	04:11
202	Mountain Ash	Doukhobor choir, Shoreacres, British Columbia	05:59
203	Father, Then, Our Father, King of Israel	Doukhobor choir, British Columbia	08:09
204	Memorial Song	Doukhobor choirs from Grand Forks and Brilliant, British Columbia	06:48
205	There Are Many Wonderful Teachings	Doukhobor choir from Brilliant, British Columbia	04:22