SONGS OF THE MAYFLOWER

ABOUT

This recital features folksongs from the beautiful collection of Helen Creighton, considered Canada’s First Lady of Folklore, who amassed over 4,000 songs from across the Maritimes. Hear music from the oral and written traditions of the 17th and early 18th centuries, giving a musical snapshot of melodies and rhythms emblematic of Canada. Ménestrel’s sound is grounded in historical practice, yet their sensibility is disarmingly modern, shaped by the emotional clarity and immediacy of folk and popular styles.

PROGRAM

All these traditional folksongs are drawn from the collection of Helen Creighton, with the exception of À La Claire Fontaine, taken from the collection of Ernest Gagnon, and Lochaber No More, with lyrics by Allan Ramsay (1686–1758) and music by Thomas Connellan (1625–1698).

Come All Ye Old Comrades 

Banks of Newfoundland 

The Sea Captain

Fear a a’ Bhàta 

Ye Rambling Boys of Pleasure

The Ghostly Sailors

The Blackbird

Fair Phoebe and Her Dark-eyed Sailor 

She's Like the Swallow

When I Was in My Prime

À la Claire Fontaine

Chì mi na Mòrbheanna

Lochaber No More 

Plains of Waterloo

American Woods

Bad Girl’s Lament

Loss of the Philosophy

Sable Island Song

Unicorn

The Bold Pedlar and Robin Hood



ARTISTS