Canadian Folk

Canadian Folk is a rich and diverse musical genre that encompasses a plethora of musical traditions and cultures. The genre is an amalgamation of various musical styles including Scottish, Irish, French, and English music, which have been brought to Canada by immigrants. Canadian Folk has a long and fascinating history, which dates back to the early days of Canada’s colonization. The roots of Canadian Folk can be traced back to the early 17th century when French colonizers settled in Quebec and brought with them the musical traditions of France. The songs, dances, and melodies of France soon became an integral part of the cultural landscape of Quebec, and later spread across other regions of Canada. This marked the beginning of the French-Canadian Folk music, which incorporated elements of traditional French music with elements of Canadian culture, including the indigenous music of the country. In addition to French-Canadian folklore, Irish and Scottish settlers who had migrated to Canada in search of a better life also contributed to the development of Canadian folklore. The musical traditions of Ireland and Scotland mixed with French-Canadian traditions, creating a new musical and cultural identity that is known as Canadian Folk. During the 1800s, as settlers began to spread further across Canada, various ethnic groups started to arrive from different parts of the world. Each group brought its own distinctive music and dance forms. The musical traditions of Italians, Germans, Ukrainians, and Chinese among others influenced Canadian Folk. Canadian Folk music gained widespread recognition within Canada, with organizations such as the Canadian Folk Music Society working to promote and preserve this unique musical genre. The society aimed to collect and document Canadian Folk music, enabling the genre to be studied and appreciated by future generations. In the 1960s, Canadian Folk music experienced a resurgence in popularity with the emergence of important Canadian Folk artists, such as Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, and Bruce Cockburn. The lyrics of these artists reflected the values, traditions, and concerns of Canadians, capturing the essence of Canadian identity and culture. In addition to the traditional elements of Canadian Folk music, the genre also encompassed new and modern elements that reflect the changing cultural landscape of Canada. Folk-rock emerged as a popular genre in the mid-1960s, incorporating rock and roll elements with traditional folk music. The fusion of Folk and Rock music appealed to the younger generation, making Cadence and Folk music a popular choice at music festivals across Canada. Canada’s diverse and multicultural society has contributed to the development of Canadian Folk music, allowing it to evolve and adapt over time. Nowadays, Canadian Folk music has become a vibrant and eclectic genre featuring a mix of traditional elements and new sounds.

Stan Rogers: A renowned singer-songwriter from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Rogers was known for his powerful vocals and poignant lyrics inspired by his Maritime roots. His iconic songs such as "Northwest Passage" and "Barrett's Privateers" have become cherished Canadian classics. Gordon Lightfoot: One of the most successful and influential Canadian troubadours, Gordon Lightfoot's music has been widely acclaimed for its emotional depth and lyrical craftsmanship. His hits including "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" have become immortalized in Canadian music history. Joni Mitchell: Hailing from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Joni Mitchell is an internationally renowned singer-songwriter beloved for her distinctive and innovative style. With classics like "Big Yellow Taxi" and "Both Sides, Now", Mitchell's music has transcended folk to become an integral part of the American music canon. Buffy Sainte-Marie: A Cree singer-songwriter, Buffy Sainte-Marie has been a trailblazer in Indigenous music for many decades. Known for her activism and powerful voice, Sainte-Marie's music has tackled issues ranging from Indigenous rights to environmentalism. The McGarrigle Sisters: Kate and Anna McGarrigle were folk legends from Quebec, known for their beautiful harmonies and heartfelt, often autobiographical, songwriting. Their influence can be heard in the works of many Canadian and American artists. Bruce Cockburn: An Ottawa-born singer-songwriter and guitarist, Bruce Cockburn has been a vital force in Canadian music for over four decades. His music often mixes folk with rock and jazz, and his lyrics have explored themes such as politics, spirituality and the human condition. Stompin' Tom Connors: Known for his rollicking country-folk tunes and his patriotic love for Canada, Stompin' Tom Connors was a beloved figure in Canadian music. His hits like "The Hockey Song" and "Bud the Spud" still find their way into sports arenas and kitchen parties across the country. Loreena McKennitt: With her unique blend of world music influences and Celtic folk, Loreena McKennitt has become one of Canada's most successful independent artists. Her haunting, ethereal soundscapes have earned her millions of fans worldwide. Ferron: A lesbian feminist singer-songwriter from Vancouver Island, Ferron's music has been celebrated for its honesty and emotional intensity. Her music has been covered by many other artists, and she has been an inspiration to many LGBTQ people and women in music. The Rankin Family: A Celtic folk band from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, The Rankin Family rose to prominence in Canada and beyond in the 1990s. Their tight harmonies and traditional melodies made them popular at festivals and concerts, and their music helped to popularize East Coast Canadian culture.

1) "Four Strong Winds" by Ian and Sylvia 2) "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot 3) "Farewell to Nova Scotia" by The Clancy Brothers 4) "I Went to the Market" by Stompin' Tom Connors 5) "Northwest Passage" by Stan Rogers 6) "The Log Driver's Waltz" by Wade Hemsworth 7) "Sudbury Saturday Night" by Stompin' Tom Connors 8) "Barrett's Privateers" by Stan Rogers 9) "The Blackfly Song" by Wade Hemsworth 10) "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate" by The Arrogant Worms 11) "The Parting Glass" by The Wailin' Jennys 12) "The Unicorn" by The Irish Rovers 13) "Song for the Mira" by Allister MacGillivray 14) "Early Morning Rain" by Ian and Sylvia 15) "The Canadian Railroad Trilogy" by Gordon Lightfoot 16) "Springhill Mine Disaster" by Peggy Seeger 17) "Mushaboom" by Feist 18) "By Way of Sorrow" by Cry Cry Cry 19) "Red River Valley" by Wilf Carter 20) "Ballad of Crowfoot" by Buffy Sainte-Marie 21) "Rise Again" by The Rankin Family 22) "The Maple Leaf Forever" by Alexander Muir 23) "Big Joe Mufferaw" by Stompin' Tom Connors 24) "The Banks of Newfoundland" by Kelly Russell 25) "A Place to Stand, A Place to Grow" by Dolores Claman.

One notable book is "Songs of the Northwoods: The Canadian-American Folk Song Tradition" by James P. Leary. This book explores the shared musical heritage of Canada and the United States, specifically in the context of the northern Great Lakes region. Leary writes, "The music of the northwoods is firmly rooted in the social, economic, and environmental history of the region, and reflects the diversity of its cultures and communities" (Leary, 2006, p. 15). He goes on to detail the influence of indigenous peoples, French and English settlers, and others on the folk music of the region, highlighting the unique blending of cultures that has occurred over time. Another book, "Folk Music in Canada" by Edith Fowke, is widely regarded as a classic in the field. Originally published in 1954, it has been updated and revised numerous times. Fowke's book delves into the history and traditions of Canadian folk music, and includes a wealth of information on the songs themselves, the instruments used, and the people who performed them. One memorable quote from the book is, "Folk songs, like all traditional songs, have had a long and varied history, and it is this history that gives them their peculiar, haunting beauty" (Fowke, 2000, p. xii). Another notable work is "The Canadian Folk Song Anthology" by John Arpin and Ron Isherwood. This book collects together a wide variety of Canadian folk songs, with accompanying sheet music and historical notes. The editors write, "Our aim was to bring together a representative selection of the best folk songs of Canada, not only to preserve them, but to make them available to a wider audience" (Arpin & Isherwood, 1982, p. 7). This anthology includes songs from a range of regions and traditions, including French-Canadian, Indigenous, and English-language songs. In addition to these books, there have been countless quotes and insights shared by musicians, writers, and scholars about Canadian folk music. One famous quote comes from celebrated folk musician Joni Mitchell, who said, "Canada is a country whose main exports are hockey players and cold fronts. Our main imports are baseball players and acid rain. Also whiskey" (Mitchell, n.d.). This tongue-in-cheek remark highlights the importance of understanding the cultural context of Canadian folk music, and the many influences that have shaped it over time.

One of the external conditions that helped bring folk music to prominence in Canada was the rise of the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in the 1930s. The CBC played a critical role in promoting Canadian music, including folk music. CBC producers like John Lomax and Alan Mills helped record and promote folk music styles from across the country. This exposure helped put Canadian folk music on the map and paved the way for future generations of musicians. The social context of folk music in Canada is also significant. Many early folk songs in Canada were created as a way for communities to share stories and convey important messages. Folk music has been used as a means of protest, celebrating culture, and building community. Songs like "The Maple Leaf Forever" and "Un Canadien Errant" reflect Canadian patriotism and values, while others like "This Land is Your Land" (adapted for a Canadian context) and "Four Strong Winds" express sentiments of anti-war and environmentalism. Folk music has also been a way for marginalized or underrepresented communities to speak their truth and assert their identities in the face of discrimination, such as French-Canadian and Indigenous peoples. Technological advancements have also played a role in shaping the Canadian folk music landscape. The emergence of vinyl records and radio broadcasting allowed musicians to reach new audiences beyond their local communities. It also provided a mechanism to widen the exposure of Canadian folk music in the US, leading to artists like Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and Leonard Cohen who achieved international success. Digitalization of music has made it easier for folk musicians to share their music with a wider audience, and the internet and social media have made it possible to access folk music from across the country and the world. Record labels have played a role in the development of Canadian folk music. RCA Victor Canada was one of the first major labels to focus on Canadian musicians in the 1950s and 1960s. RCA Victor discovered artists such as Oscar Brand, Ian & Sylvia, and the legendary Gordon Lightfoot. The label helped to bring Canadian folk artists to a wider audience and provide them with the resources to continue producing music. Other Canadian record labels have since emerged, such as True North Records, which was founded in the 1960s and has since become a legendary purveyor of Canadian music, including folk music. Folkies such as Bruce Cockburn, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Murray McLauchlan made their names on the True North imprint. Canadian folk music journalists have played an important role in promoting the genre through their writing and broadcasting. Some of the prominent names in Canadian music journalism include Brian Murphy, founder of Folk Roots/Folk Branches magazine, and Paul Grescoe, who wrote for McLean's and the Toronto Star. Both men played a role in discovering and promoting Canadian folk musicians, building audiences at home and abroad.