FAREWELL TO NOVA SCOTIA
(Unknown) written prior WW1 1914-18

Gordon Lightfoot 1972


Also recorded by Bonnie Dobson 1972
Great Big Sea
Irish Rovers
Ian & Sylvia
Anne Murray
Stompin' Tom Connors
Catherine McKinnon
Real McKenzies
Schooner Fare
Wicked Tinkers
Battlefield Band
Alex Beaton
Mitchell and Dusty Keller
Donner Party Reunion
Moist
Oisin
Stan Robers
Sons of Maxwell
Na h-Òganaich

The sun was setting in the west
The birds were singin' on every tree.
All nature seemed inclined for a rest
But still there was no rest for me.

Farewell to Nova Scotia, that sea-bound coast
That your mountains dark and dreary be.
For when I am far away on the briny ocean 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 who I always held so dear
And the bonnie, bonnie lass that I do adore.

Farewell Nova Scotia, that sea-bound coast
That your mountains dark and dreary be.
For when I am far away on the briny ocean tossed
Will you ever heave a sigh and a wish for me?

The drums do beat and the wars do alarm
A captain calls, we must obey.
So farewell, farewell to Nova Scotia's charms
'Cause it's early in the mornin' and I'm far, far away.

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

I have three brothers and they are at rest
Their arms are folded on their breast.
Yet a poor simple sailor just like me
Should be tossed and driven on the dark blue sea.

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

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



(Transcribed by David Story - April 2013)