Farewell To Nova Scotia, Enjoy Oldraven

Oldraven is homesick and this definitely isn't going to help matters.

Farewell to Nova Scotia

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

Farewell to Nova Scotia, the sea-bound coast
Let your mountains dark and dreary be
And when I am far away on the briny oceans tossed
Will you ever heave a sigh and a wish for me?

I grieve to leave my native land
I grieve to leave my comrades all
And my aged parents whom I always held so dear
And the bonnie, bonnie lass that I do adore

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

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

Thanks Keltic.

Keltic, this explains my situation all too well.


The Idiot
I often take these nightshift walks when the foreman's not around.
I turn my back on the coolant stacks and make for open ground.
Far out beyond the tankfarm fence where the gas flare makes no sound.
I forget the stink and I always think back to that eastern town.

I remember back six years ago this western life I chose.
When everyday the news would say some factory's going to close.
Well I could have stayed to take the dole but I'm not one of those.
I take nothing free and that makes me an idiot I suppose.


So I bid farewell to the eastern town I nevermore will see.
But work I must, so I eat this dust and breathe refinery.
Oh, I miss the green and the woods and streams and I don't like cowboy clothes,
But I like being free and that makes me an idiot I suppose.


So come all ye fine young fellers who've been beaten to the ground.
This western life's no paradise but it's better than lying down.
Oh, the streets aren't clean and there's nothing green and the hills are dirty brown;
But the government dole will rot your soul back there in your hometown.


So bid farewell to the eastern town you nevermore will see.
There's self-respect and a steady cheque in this refinery.
You will miss the green and the woods and streams and the dust will fill your nose;
But you'll be free and just like me an idiot I suppose.

Cool .... sad .... I've relocated many times in my life and it is never easy .... home is always home .... somehow we always manage to either return or take it with us

Thanks Hilander. I find I'm way more of a Nova Scotian now than I ever was in Nova Scotia. Growing up with it all around me, I would change the channel when Celtic music came on. Now I seek it out, and am filled with glee when I find it.

So yes, I've brought it with me. And yes, I will be moving home. There's no way I'm going to raise Albertans. My children will be New Scots.

Truly a great song. Every time I'm at the shop sewing the kilts, I put on about 5 CD's to rotate. The Wicked Tinkers are always one that's in the rotation. When this song comes on, I stop and sing along! Fantastic tune!

Just like my buddy Richard(why you always pickin' on me)Young says, "No matter where ya go, there ya are."

Simple, yet, well, simple,

Leo, home where I am

I think ye are brave m'friend. Anyone having to make a choice like this is brave. As long as ye carry it in your heart, it will always be with ye.....and pass on to your children and your children's children.

It reminds me of when my Grandfather had to leave Ireland. He didn't want to go but had no choice, there was no work to be had there. (Funny how history repeats itself, isn't it?) So, a harsh sail over the sea....jumping trains to make it to the prairies, one night so cold that when he jumped his mittens stayed stuck to the train.....and then pioneering, starting from nothing in a one room shack with a wife and babe on the way. My Mom tells of how he missed Antrim with all his heart, he spoke of it so often. But, he did what he had to do....and this piece of land he toiled on day to day was 'his'. He carried Ireland with him in his stories and songs. And its passed from one generation to the next. I can't help but feel that a wee bit of that love passed on with me .... I can never get enough of my Irish and Scottish heritage.

Sometimes ye just have to do what ye have to do. I hope that one day ye can go back to New Scotland m'friend.

Oldraven,

It sounds like the song was written for you (not the title!!). Great lyrics and a sentiment that crosses over to most people.

thank you for that CelticAingeal. Your story strikes at the heart of it all.


And don't you all worry. I will be a New Scot again. I left once before for only a year, and it was like being reborn when I drove back up to my parents farm for the first time. I went two years this time before my visit, and it nearly killed me. Every year from here on out. And when I do move home for good, believe me, there will be one hell of a party. I'll never move away again. If it means I have to settle for a lesser existence, then so be it. I don't need no fancy car. Just a wife and kids who love me, and a home to keep us. A few dogs wouldn't hurt either.



You guys are great. Amazing that total strangers will reach out like this. Like in my sig, that's the way we do it back home, but certainly not the way things work out here.

'I love you like a brother and I don't even know your name.
I know it must sound different but for us it's always been the same.'

This isn't your ordinary message board.

OldRaven,
That was a nice piece. Thanks for posting sir.

Thanks Barddas. As per my usual quotes, it's a Stan Rogers tune that represents what could very well be 1/8th of the Maritime population. He wrote a few songs about Easterners moving west for work, hating every minute of it, and the towns left behind to wither and rot.

I love the life this place has given me. There's no way I could make the wage I do, own a home, or drive two cars if I were back home. But at least I'd have something to look at. Forests, beaches, hills and valleys. It's like they've all been wiped out of the Alberta landscape.



The Atlantic. uh. Something I never realised I loved till it was gone.




And RavenWing, you're absolutely right.

....you are so verrrrrrra welcome m'friend!!