Knacker's Yard - Farewell To Nova Scotia (The New West Session)

Knacker's Yard performing the East Coast classic "The Nova Scotia Song" or "Farewell to Nova Scotia," as collected by Folklorist Helen Creighton. A long-standing staple in the folk and traditional music repertoire, this song has been recorded by The Irish Rovers, Gordon Lightfoot, Tommy Makem, Stan Rogers and Ryan's Fancy among others.

Recorded live off the floor and filmed by Len Osanic at Fiasco Bros Recording Studio, November 9th, 2018.

Hailing from Victoria, British Columbia (Coast Salish Territories), Knacker’s Yard has been arranging and performing traditional Irish, Scottish, English, Australian, and original music since 2013.

The band pays tribute to, and takes inspiration from, legendary predecessors such as The Dubliners, Pogues, Planxty, The Battering Ram, The Clancy Brothers, The Chieftains, and The Wolfe Tones.

[netkongen]

This is true folk music. So well sung and played.

[Athainian]

Grandmother from New Brunswick. This was one of the first songs I learned. As a camp counselor I taught it to hundreds of children in the Ottawa valley each summer for five years. I wonder if any of those children, now in their 40's remember it, or sang it outside of camp? I know many of them loved it since it wasn't a mindless call and answer song. 'One Tin Soldier' 'Child of the Universe' and 'Geremia was a Bullfrog' were the other songs they loved to learn. With only four songs the kids found worthy of their attention it was easy to teach them all four in a week. That doesn't mean great harmonizing, just melody and words. They did great if they were each singing it alone and noone was clashing pitches or entire key signatures. I was just happy they were interested in music😄

[semperfidelis]

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

Farewell to Nova Scotia, the sea bound coast
Let your mountains dark and dreary be
For when I'm far away on the briny ocean tossed
Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me

I grieve to leave my native land
I grieve to leave my comrades all
And my aging parents whom I've always hold so dear
And the bonny, bonny lass that I do adore

Farewell to Nova Scotia, the sea bound coast
Let your mountains dark and dreary be
For when I'm far away on the briny ocean tossed
Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me

The drums they do beat and the wars do alarm
The captain calls, we must obey
So farewell, farewell to Nova Scotia's charms
For it's early in the morning I am far, far away

Farewell to Nova Scotia, the sea bound coast
Let your mountains dark and dreary be
For when I'm far away on the briny ocean tossed
Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me

I have three brothers and they are at rest
Their arms are folded on their breast
But a poor simple sailor just like me
Must be tossed and driven on the dark blue sea

Farewell to Nova Scotia, the sea bound coast
Let your mountains dark and dreary be
For when I'm far away on the briny ocean tossed
Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me

Farewell to Nova Scotia, the sea bound coast
Let your mountains dark and dreary be
For when I'm far away on the briny ocean tossed
Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me

[rocksandforestquiver]

Love when people actually pronounce Drear-y the right way so that it rhymes with "sigh" that's been lost in a lot of versions but always how I knew it and heard it sung when people weren't copying a particular recording that changed it to "drearee"

[lindaberg]

This is how this song should be played and sung!! Perfect! ♥

[TheScottishBOLSHEVIK]

Long live the new scottish brothers your always welcome to vist your scottish founders our new world scottish brothers.

[clintlewis]

Never get tired of listening to this ❤❤

[lindamckenzie]

Listening to this constantly in Aotearoa/New Zealand. My DNA shows links to Nova Scotia - MacKay, Findlayson, etc. 🇳🇿💕🍁

[williammaurer]

Wonderful folk song, excellent performance. Back in the 70s I visited NS. We spent an evening in a bar in Yarmouth singing this song to many many different verses (some dirty) chimed in by patrons, for the entire evening. Rugby songs are similar, LOL.

[robertarisz]

This song does a homesick soul much good. Thank you muchly.

[taowalker]

This is the best rendition, the wildest and most heartfelt that I have ever heard!🤩

[lawriemorritt]

Fantastic driving sound. Great hard singing voice. Classic song.

[danielleelias]

I just love love this song. Love how you guys sing this song.

[Walkerl]

Great band! Best rendition of this song that I have heard. Bravo!

[marieabineau]

born in amherst ns. 1956....many many memories...

[sirnewton]

This Band KICKS azzz!!! So happy to listen yous!! I am Gettting on a PLANE to Victoria. And we will meet again at Irish Times!! No pressure but we need more albums!..Cheers from GP

[ronaldschwigel]

the best version its HEAVEN TO MY EARS this is a #1 hit. in 2021.

[surfer]

My captain calls i must it didn't hit like it i love this song

[Emajanashun]

My home! You played this when I was in Victoria for the first time ever, it’s like y’all knew I was there! Haha

[wrathofricky]

yo this is fucking dope man. has the energy of the McGinty cover