New Brunswick Folk Songs

New Brunswick borders Quebec to the North-West, Maine to the South-West, and creates the landbridge that links the rest of the Maritime provinces to North America in the East. Most people in New Brunswick can trace their roots to England (many British loyalists from the United States moved to New Brunswick), France (Acadian- approximately 30% cite French as a mother tongue), Ireland, Scotland or Aboriginal Canada(4%) origins. The traditional economy of the region included forestry, agriculture, fishing and mining. The province is split about 50/50 between urban and rural living. About half of the residents self identify as Roman Catholic.

Most folk songs in New Brunswick draw on these origins, with a particularly high percentage of published songs being based on the rather tumultuous history of the Acadians. The Acadian people lived in relative harmony with the native people Mik'qmak in present day New Brunswick, which was unusual for Europeans in North America. Many also intermarried forming the French-Native group known as the Matis. In 1755 Acadians were deported from their home land by the British when they would not swear their allegiance to the King. Many ended up in the Southern United States forming the Cajun population there. Many were also torn away from loved ones. Some eventually did make it back to present day New Brunswick and their stories form a very important part of New Brunswick culture.

When I asked my mother if she knew of any New Brunswick folk songs, she could not remember any names but she advised me to look for Acadian songs. She remembered some great nights sitting with friends, all of whom played a different instrument, and listening to them play and sing traditional Acadian songs. The Smithsonian Folkways collection has an interesting collection of recordings.
http://www.folkways.si.edu/TrackDetails.aspx?itemid=15832