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Wolf River Songs

Various Artists
Wolf River Songs

Traditional songs of the Wisconsin lumberjacks are performed by the Walker family. Recorded in 1956 by Sidney Roberston Cowell, the songs are part of Walker family tradition (detailed in the liner notes) sung during cold winters working in logging camps. The songs find their origin in 19th century sailing songs that can be traced back through New England, Eastern Canada and the Great Lakes. The songs are not the usual work songs but instead "They are primarily tale-ballads rather than songs. Their hallmark is a sense of prodigious in human effort and experience."

Track Listing

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101
The Little Brown Bulls Robert Walker 03:17
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102
The Lost Jimmie Whalen Robert Walker 03:11
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103
We are Anchored by the Roadside, Jim Robert Walker 01:29
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104
Foreman Monroe Warde Ford 02:39
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105
River Driver's Song Warde Ford 01:18
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106
The Keith and Hiles Line Warde Ford 01:31
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107
The Nightingales of Spring Warde Ford 03:47
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108
The Wild Colonial Boy Robert Walker 01:48
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109
Brennan on the Moor Carlton Hawks 02:12
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110
Land of Pleasure Elizabeth Walker Ford 01:53
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201
The Low Lands Low, or The Golden Willow Tree (Child No. 286) Warde Ford 03:36
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202
Andrew Batan (Child No. 250) Warde Ford 03:32
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203
Young Johnny Warde Ford 02:50
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204
The Flying Cloud Robert Walker 04:49
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205
The Sinking of the Cumberland Warde Ford 02:46
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206
The Wreck of the Lady Sherbrooke Robert Walker 03:15
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207
Pretty Polly (The False-Hearted Knight)(Child No. 4) Clara Hawks Tracy 04:29