Farewell to Nova Scotia facts for kids

"Farewell to Nova Scotia" is a popular folk song from Nova Scotia, Canada. It was adapted from the Scottish lament "The Soldier's Adieu" sometime before the 1930s, and popularized from 1964 when Catherine McKinnon's version was used as the theme of Halifax TV show, Singalong Jubilee.

Catalogued as Roud Folk Song Index No. 384, both the tune and lyrics are public domain.

Renditions

The song has been covered, notably, by Tommy Makem, Gordon Lightfoot, Stan Rogers, The Irish Rovers, Ryan's Fancy, Harry Hibbs, Ian and Sylvia Tyson, Anne Murray, Touchstone, Stompin' Tom Connors, Real McKenzies, Schooner Fare, Wicked Tinkers, Battlefield Band, Alex Beaton, Aselin Debison, Dan Zanes, Moist, Oisin, Sons of Maxwell, Na h-Òganaich, and Asonance. It is an ambient theme for the Canadian civilization in the game Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm.

Lyrics

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 or a wish for me?

1.
The sun was setting in the west,
The birds were singing on every tree.
All nature seemed inclined to rest
But still there was no rest for me.
Chorus

2.
I grieve to leave my native land,
I grieve to leave my comrades all,
And my aging parents whom I've always loved so dear,
And the bonnie, bonnie lass that I do adore.
Chorus

3.
The drums they do beat and the wars do alarm,
The captain calls, I must obey.
Farewell, farewell to Nova Scotia's charms,
For it's early in the morning and I'm far, far away.
Chorus

4.
I have three brothers and they are at rest,
Their arms are folded on their chest.
But a poor simple sailor just like me,
Must be tossed and turned in the deep dark sea.
Chorus