The sun was setting in the west,
And the birds were singing on ev'ry tree;
All nature seemed inclined for to rest,
But still there was no rest for me.
So, farewell to Nova Scotia, you sea-bound coast,
Let your mountains dark and dreary be;
While when I am far away on the briny ocean tossed,
Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me?
I have three brothers and they are at rest,
And their arms are folded across their breast,
While a poor simple sailor just like me,
Must be tossed and driven on a cruel north sea.
So, farewell to Nova Scotia, you sea-bound coast,
Let your mountains dark and dreary be;
While when I am far away on the briny ocean tossed,
Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me?
I grieve to leave my native soil,
I grieve to leave my comrades all,
And my parents that I do adore,
And the bonnie, bonnie lassie that I love so well.
So, farewell to Nova Scotia, you sea-bound coast,
Let your mountains dark and dreary be;
While when I am far away on the briny ocean tossed,
Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me?
The drums do sound while the wars do alarm,
And our captain calls, you must obey;
So, farewell, farewell to Nova Scotia's charms,
For it's early in the morning I am bound far away.
So, farewell to Nova Scotia, you sea-bound coast,
Let your mountains dark and dreary be;
While when I am far away on the briny ocean tossed,
Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me?
Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me?
Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me?
####.... Author unknown. Adapted from The Soldier's Adieu, a poem by Robert Tannahill of Paisley, Scotland [1774-1810] ....####
This variant arranged and recorded by Ryan's Fancy (Times To Remember, trk#11, 1973, Audat Records, Oshawa, Ontario).
Notes: First sung in 1933 for Helen Creighton [1899-1989] by Ann Greenough of Petpeswick, Nova Scotia. Also sung by Walter Roast of East Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia, 1943-44, and published as The Nova Scotia Song in 1950 by Helen Creighton and Doreen H. Senior (Traditional Songs Of Nova Scotia, pp.264-265).
A variant was recorded by Sons of Erin, featuring bandleader Ralph O'Brien, Johnnie Lynn, "Wee" John Cameron, and Denis Ryan on their self-titled album, Sons Of Erin, c.1970.
The YouTube video below features a variant recorded by Harry Hibbs (The All New Harry Hibbs With Shrimp Cocktail, trk#16, 1972, Arc Sound Ltd., Toronto, Ontario). In 2002 a digitally remastered CD was released by Robert Matichak (Unidisc Studios, Montreal, Quebec).
The YouTube video below features a performance by Ryan's Fancy recorded live at The Black Knight Lounge in Halifax, Nova Scotia by Jack Hutchinson and George Taylor (An Irish Night At The Black Knight Lounge, trk#16, 1971, Marathon Music Incorporated, Scarborough, Ontario).
