“The Roving Newfoundlanders (I)”

Description

The singer, musing at home, thinks about all the Newfoundlanders who have sailed and fished in all parts of the world. They have also taken part in historic world events (mostly confined to the 19th century) The singer tells us he is from Harbour Grace.

Notes

Judging by the historic events mentioned (the Boer War, the Spanish-American War of 1898 and going to the "Pole"), we can determine that the song is from the early twentieth century. Robert Abram Bartlett was born in Brigus, Conception Bay and began exploring the Arctic in 1897. He was with Admiral Robert Peary in 1909 when [the latter reportedly reached] the North Pole, being the commander of Peary's ship. - SH

For a good deal more on Captain Bob Bartlett, see the notes to "Captain Bob Bartlett"; also "Ballad of Captain Bob Bartlett, Arctic Explorer." For the quest for the Pole, see "Hurrah for Baffin's Bay." - RBW

Cross references

  • cf. "Captain Bob Bartlett" (character) and references there.

Recordings

  • Omar Blondahl, "The Roving Newfoundlander" (on NFOBlondahl02,NFOBlondahl05)

References

  1. Greenleaf/Mansfield 183, "The Roving Newfoundlanders" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. Blondahl, p. 15, "Roving Newfoundlander" (1 text, 1 tune)
  3. Doyle2, pp. 55, "The Roving Newfoundlanders" (1 text, 1 tune)
  4. Doyle3, pp. 71, "The Roving Newfoundlanders" (1 text, 1 tune)
  5. Roud #6362
  6. BI, Doy55

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1929 (Greenleaf/Mansfield)
Found in: Canada(Newf)