Farewell to Nova Scotia

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"Farewell to Nova Scotia" is a popular folk song from Nova Scotia of unknown authorship. It is believed to have been written just prior to or during the First World War. "Farewell to Nova Scotia" brings the listener back to an age when Nova Scotia was renowned for "wooden ships and iron men".

In modern times, the song has echoed the massive migrations from Nova Scotia (and elsewhere from the Maritimes) westward to Ontario and Alberta.

[edit] Lyrics

The sun was setting in the west
The birds were singing on every tree
All nature seemed inclined for a rest

But still there was no rest for me.

Chorus
Farewell to Nova Scotia, the sea-bound coast
Let your mountains dark and dreary* be
For when I am far away on the briny ocean tossed
Will you ever heave a sigh and a wish for me?

I grieve to leave my native land
I grieve to leave my comrades all
And my parents whom I held so dear
And the bonnie, bonnie lass* that I do adore.

Chorus

The drums they do beat and the wars do alarm
The captain calls, I must obey
So farewell, farewell to Nova Scotia's charms
For it's early in the morning and I am far, far away.

Chorus

I have three brothers and they are at rest
Their arms are folded on their breasts
But a poor simple sailor just like me
Must be tossed and driven on the dark blue sea.

Chorus

• 'dreary' is typicly sung 'drear-eye'.

• 'every' is another term spoken differently, as it inclines to be sung "ev'rey".

• 'lass' is sometimes sung "lassie" or (If the singer is female) "lad" or "laddie".

Both the tune and lyrics are public domain, and therefore many different Nova Scotian artists have released their own recordings of "Farewell to Nova Scotia", including Anne Murray, Celtic punk band Real McKenzies and the late Stan Rogers. To most music historians the definitive version, however, is sung by Catherine McKinnon, who is from New Brunswick.