Farewell to Nova Scotia facts for kids

Farewell to Nova Scotia is a very popular folk song from Nova Scotia, Canada. A folk song is a traditional song that often tells a story or shares feelings about everyday life. This song was created a long time ago, before the 1930s. It was based on an older Scottish song called "The Soldier's Adieu," which was a sad song about a soldier saying goodbye. The song became super famous in 1964 when Catherine McKinnon sang it as the main theme for a TV show called Singalong Jubilee, which was filmed in Halifax.

This song is so old and well-known that its tune and words are now in the public domain. This means anyone can use, share, or perform the song without needing special permission or paying fees. It's like a gift to everyone!

Who Has Sung This Song?

Many famous artists and bands have performed "Farewell to Nova Scotia." This shows how much people love the song and how it has become a classic.

Some of the well-known musicians who have sung this song include:

• 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
• Asonance

You can even hear a version of this song in the video game Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm. It plays as a background theme for the Canadian civilization!

What Are the Lyrics About?

The lyrics of "Farewell to Nova Scotia" tell the story of a sailor who must leave his home, family, and friends in Nova Scotia to go to sea. It's a sad song about saying goodbye to a place and people you love.

Here are the words to the song:

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