A Drop of the Irish: The Influence of Irish Folksong on Newfoundland’s Song Tradition

• Published in: Ethnologies
• Main Author: Neilands, Colin
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Association Canadienne d’Ethnologie et de Folklore 1992
• Subjects: Newfoundland; Terre-Neuve
• Online Access: http://id.erudit.org/iderudit/1082477ar; https://doi.org/10.7202/1082477ar

This article examines the possible influences of Ireland, through the waves of eighteenth and nineteenth century immigrants, in current Newfoundland folksong repertoire. While much of the findings must remain speculative, given ail the limitations surrounding sources on both sides of the Atlantic, the research revealed that 143 songs collected in field-recordings in Newfoundland this century could have originated in, or have passed through and been influenced by, the Irish folksong tradition. Newfoundland has developed its own strong native song tradition, but in repertoire and style the Irish roots of many of its people still have Iife and vibrancy. Dans cet article, nous retraçons les influences irlandaises dans le répertoire des chansons de Terre-Neuve. Même si nos résultats demeurent hypothétiques en raison des limites de nos sources de part et d’autre de l’Atlantique, notre recherche documentaire et nos enquêtes sur le terrain nous ont permis d’identifier à Terre-Neuve non moins de 143 chansons d’origine irlandaise ou, du moins, d’inspiration irlandaise. Terre-Neuve a développé sa propre tradition musicale, néanmoins, les racines irlandaises transparaissent de manière vibrante tant dans le répertoire que dans le style de ses chansons folkloriques.