Cape Breton's Magazine

3) When our boat docked at Montreal A din rose from the bar. The captain says to the first mate, "Is it mutiny or war" The mate says, "Captain Sims," says he, "It's the women, nothing more • They're kissing and a crying over Donald of Bras d'Or." 4) When Donald left the steamship Each woman was a wreck, Some raised an awful yell to heaven. Some fainted on the deck. Said the captain, "Jesus Christ," ses he "There's been nought like this before Ye'd better beat it, Donald, To your sweetheart in Bras d'Or." We'd like to know more about Donald from Bras d'Or--the man and the song. If you knew him, please write and let us know. We'd of course like to see a photograph. And a little history of his life. And please send us any further verses you know of the song. We want to collect every re? membered verse. We have seen a version pub? lished by Stuart McCawley, which was clear? ly created by shuffling "Donald from Bras d'Or" into "When We Get to Flanders"--some- thing like shuffling a deck of cards--but that won't do at all. Dr. Helen Creighton told us her mother used to sing the chorus as "MacDonald from Bras d'Or...." That, too, may have come from "When We Get to Flanders." The second stanza begins, "There's MacDonald from Bras d'Or/Perhaps you've heard of him before...." This also reminds us that we don't even know Don? ald's last name. Please write and share that information. And please share more verses from "Donald from Bras d'Or." We want the song as it was sung and is still remembered. Rough and tumble, bawdy and sweet. Please send us the verses you know. Write, "Donald from Bras d'Or," c/o Cape Breton's Maga? zine, Wreck Cove, Cape Breton, Nova Sco- tIi~BOC IHO. Our thanks to Gwen Davies, Halifax, for telling us about new verses of "Donald from Bras d'Or" among the pa? pers of Col. Frank Parker Day at the Dalhousie University Archives. STOP AT DINO'S fresh baked goods * souvenirs magazines * film * charcoal gifts * novels * camp fuel * ice Ingonish STAY AT One Stop Store & Ftestaurant DINO'S Trailer Park Laundromat close to the National Park Ingonish The Gaelic College st Anns, n. s. Gaelic College Summer School June 24 to August 10 Courses in Gaelic Language, Drumming, Bagpipe Music, Highland History and Folklore, Highland Dancing P.O. Box 9, Baddeck, N.S. BOE IBO Tel: (902) 295-2877 (For Inquiries) Leading Professional Instructors from Scotland and Canada Scottish Entertainment Which Everyone Will Enjoy Throughout the Summer The Annual Gaelic Mod * August 5 to 10 * Competitions, Including Pipe Bands August 8, 9, 10 ' ONE OF THE TOP 100 EVENTS IN NORTH AMERICA IN 1985 The Great Hall of the Clans & Giant MacAskill Museum College Bookstore with a Good Line of Scottish Books, Tapes, and Records (22)