There are several sea songs entitled “the Banks of Newfoundland”, not to be properly considered variations on the same melody, even if they share a common theme, the dangers of fishing or navigation offshore of Newfoundland.
A long narrative tradition in Newfoundland is inspired by events and people of local significanc, so sea ballads speak of shipwrecks and calamities. (see more)
One particular theme is presented with various titles (The Schooner Mary Ann, Banks of Newfoundland) and variations starting from an American ballad of the late 1800 authored by captain Cale White entitled Bound Down To Newfoundland (Roud No. 647) and spread equally in Nova Scotia.
On St. Patrick’s Day, the seventeenth from New York we set sail
Also with the title “Bound down for Newfoundland” the ballad narrates the death of the young captain, struck by smallpox, on board the American schooner Mary Ann (or the brigantine the Eveline): probably it is a fishing ship heading to the Newfoundland Banks for the fishing season.
This particular version was collected by Helen Creighton [1899-1989] and published in Songs And Ballads From Nova Scotia.
To tell a sad story, mourning the young captain’s death, the matched melody is all too cheerful. The song is sometimes classified as an irish ballad.
The Corries from Bonnet, Belt & Sword 1967
Ryans Fancy from Sullivan’s Gypsies 1970 ( I, III, IV, V)
| I On St. Patrick’s Day, the seventeenth From New York we set sail Kind fortune did favour us Wi’ a sweet and a pleasant gale We bore away from Americay The wind bein’ off the land And wi’ courage brave we ploughed the wave Bound down for Newfoundland II Our Captain’s name was Nelson Just twenty years of age As true and brave a sailor lad As ever ploughed the wave The Eveline our brig (1) was called Belonging to McLean And wi’ courage brave we ploughed the wave Bound down for Newfoundland III When three days out to our surprise Our Captain he fell sick He shortly was not able To take his turn on deck The fever raged which made us think That death was near at hand So we bore away from Halifax (1) Bound down for Newfoundland |
IV At three o’clock we sighted a light That we were glad to see The small-pox bein’ ragin’ That’s what it proved to be At four o’clock in the afternoon As sure as God’s command He passed away in Arichat (2) Bound down for Newfoundland V All that night long we did lament For our departed friend And we were prayin’ unto God For what had been his end We prayed that God would guide us And keep us by his hand And send us fair wind while at sea Bound down for Newfoundland |
NOTES
1) Halifax (Nova Scotia): with the sick captain who knew the coast the ship had lost its points of reference
2) Arichat small village on the Isle Madame with two lighthouses, one at the entrance to the harbor and the other at Jerseyman Island
transportation song
working on a fisher ship
the Eastern Light
captain’s death (american ballad)
shipwreck and rescue on the Banks (Canadian ballad)
LINK
http://gestsongs.com/02/bound2.htm
http://gestsongs.com/02/bound1.htm
http://gestsongs.com/21/bound3.htm
http://disastersongs.ca/bound-down-for-newfoundland-schooner-mary-ann/
http://www.sssa.llc.ed.ac.uk/whalsay/2015/02/03/bound-down-for-newfoundland/
https://www.8notes.com/scores/3609.asp
http://www.kinglaoghaire.com/lyrics/932-the-banks-of-newfoundland-1
http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/irish-songs-ballads-lyrics/bound_down_for_newfoundland.htm
https://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD1/16A-06.htm
http://www.mun.ca/folklore/leach/songs/NFLD2/20-6_51.htm
http://www.fresnostate.edu/folklore/ballads/LD22.html
