“Song of the Tangier Gold Mines”
Description
Gold mining begins May 1861 "back of Tangier and Pope's Harbour." Men leave their work, wives, and sweethearts "for the sake of 'Tangier gold"; ladies "go upon the diggings the miners for to see." Wish the miners success and hope they will be generous
Supplemental text
Song of the Tangier Gold Mines Partial text(s) *** A *** From Helen Creighton, Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia, #145, pp. 316-318. "Sung by... Mr. Hiram O. Hilshie, Dartmouth," said to be the nephew of the composer, Catherine Hart. Oh, in eighteen hundred and sixty-one All in the month of May, When Nova Scotia was very poor, As I ofttimes heard them say; But since I've got a secret, A story I'll unfold, Back of Tangier and Pope's Harbour Where they're digging out the gold. (11 additional stanzas plus a half stanza)
Notes
Tangier is on the coast of Nova Scotia, about 60 miles east of Halifax. - BS
Creighton notes that the mining in the Tangier area was extensive but not particularly profitable. But the song was written when the boom was just beginning, so hopes were high. - RBW
Historical references
- 1860 - Opening of the Tangier Gold Mines (Source: Halifax Archives per Creighton-NovaScotia)
References
- Creighton-NovaScotia 145, "Song of the Tangier Gold Mines" (1 text, 1 tune)
- ST CrNS145 (Partial)
- Roud #1841
- BI, CrNS145