"Farewell to Nova Scotia" is a popular folk song from Nova Scotia of unknown authorship. Versions of the song were collected by folklorist Helen Creighton, first in 1933 from Ann Greenough in Petpeswick, Nova Scotia, and then from other singers in surrounding communities along the province's Eastern Shore. It is believed to have been written just prior to or during the First World War. "Farewell to Nova Scotia" brings the listener back to an age when Nova Scotia was renowned for "wooden ships and iron men". The song appears in the Penguin Book of Canadian Folk Songs. In 1808 a Glasgow newspaper printed "The Soldier's Adieu", attributed to Robert Tannahill. It has several lines and phrases in it that suggest it was a source of inspiration for the song. The song is catalogued as Roud Folk Song Index No. 384.
Renditions
Both the tune and lyrics are public domain, and many artists have released recordings of "Farewell to Nova Scotia", including Gordon Lightfoot, Stan Rogers, The Irish Rovers, Ryan's Fancy, Ian and Sylvia Tyson, Wolf Creek Session, Anne Murray, Touchstone Stompin' Tom Connors, the Celtic punk band Real McKenzies, Schooner Fare, Wicked Tinkers, Battlefield Band, Alex Beaton, Donner Party Reunion, Dan Zanes, Moist, 70s/80s Irish band Oisin, Sons of Maxwell, as well as the Gaelic folk trio Na h-Òganaich on their album Scot-Free. It was recorded by the Czech group, Asonance, with the title of "Nové Skotsko" on their album "Čarodějnice z Amesbury." The Halifax CBC TV show "Singalong Jubilee" used Catherine McKinnon's version as the title theme.