A study of the lumbercamp song tradition in Newfoundland

Ashton, John (1985) A study of the lumbercamp song tradition in Newfoundland. Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The province of Newfoundland possesses a rich and varied tradition of folksongs and music comprising British, North American and indigenous material. This tradition has been widely documented and investigated by scholars and enthusiasts of all kinds. Despite these facts, we find little reference in local folklore scholarship to songs or singing related to the logging industry. -- We know that Newfoundland has had a sizeable pulp and paper industry since the turn of the century and, that in the other parts of Canada and the U.S. where forestry has held a position of prominence, a song tradition associated with that industry has been unearthed. This would suggest the existence of an anomaly within Newfoundland folksong tradition, or, a gap in the literature pertaining to folksongs in Newfoundland. -- This thesis suggests that the latter is the case and offers some possible explanations. Employing resources gathered from both archival and field research, it attempts to define the broad parameters of the lumbercamp song tradition in this province. The context, style and repertory of Newfoundland lumbercamp singing are described together with the occupational songs of the lumberjack which have been found here.

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