Cape Breton's Magazine

others wanted that song. No, it wasn't my favourite. My favourite of a little love song was one Jimmy sang a long time before I ever was married to him. And it was "The Bonny Young Irish Boy." And I loved that song. Just, I suppose, for the sake--I loved him so good, and he sang it.... Farewell to Londonderry; we never shall see you more; And many a pleasant night we spent along your sweet love shore. Our pockets were light;our hearts were good; we longed for to be free And talk about the happy home and the land of liberty. • from "My Bonnie Young Irish Boy" (Was it easy to get you to sing? ) Helen: Oh, well, they didn't have to coax me to GREG'S FUELS' • Beaver Petroleum (??> Serving All of Cape Breton Island' Your Independent Oil • locally owned & operated We offer: Budget Plans • Automatic Delivery • Local Billing 24-Hour Emergency Delivery & Burner Service • and we accept $100.00 calls SYDNEY 562-0262 SENIORS DISCOUNT C.O.D. CUSTOMERS ARICHAT 1-226-1800 sing--I didn't like to do that. You know, I had a pretty good voice then. But my voice is all gone. (Was Jimmy easy to get to sing?) Oh, yes! I'd always say, "You wind him up, and he's gone." Oh, he was beautiful, and he'd sing. And he never got tired singing.... But those songs meant so much to us, and to the neighbours around. And if they were having something--a little party--they'd always come for Jimmy and myself. We'd go to the houses. And you'd sing there, per? haps 3 o'clock in the morning you'd get home.... It was entertainment for them. You know, there was nothing--there were no TV or no radios or nothing. Only a violin player would come to your home and he'd play nice pieces of Scottish music or Irish songs on it, or for stepdancing, the ones would get up and dance. That's all the entertainment you had. They loved to come to the homes where people would sing all those nice songs. And look, you could hear a (pin) fall on the floor. Everything'd be so si? lent; there wouldn't be a word when those songs were sung. Rose: Well, he didn't appreciate that too much (people talking). Very seldom anyone talked while he was singing. But, like I said, if there was probably a younger one in the crowd, or younger people in the other age group. They probably might start a little conversation or something. And he would stop singing right in the middle of it. And they'd probably all look at him then and wonder what's wrong--did you for? get it or what? So he'd say, "Well, if they're not going to listen, I'm not going to sing." That was all there was to it. Then everything would be very quiet and he'd start it up.... (Did your father used to sing you to sleep?) Yes, he rocked us on many, many times, and sang. It was usually--he had one song--I can't remember it now. It was about a guy who climbed a tree, a bear was going to eat him or something. He used to sing that for us. And he used to sing "The Babes of America"--the little ones who were lost in the woods. Songs like that. And "Pat Real Estate & Insurance "If you're thinking of selling your home, give us a call." Serving industrial Cape Breton and North Victoria R. Hickey & Co. p. O. Box 96, North Sydney B2A 3M1 Gerald Brennan, Mgr. Residence: 794-4564 "And remember: No sale, no charge." 794-3119 Celebrating f/l/lAyi ( '' Years of Savings ' DEPARTMENT STORES 'at our Sydney Rivery Location CAPE BRETON SHOPPING PLAZA - SYDNEY RIVER IVIAYFLOWER MALL - GRAND LAKE ROAD - SYDNEY PORT HAWKESBURY SHOPPING CENTRE Wooico will meet any local competitor's advertised prices* *0THERS SAY IT... WOOLCO GUARANTEES IT! Just bring in any Competitor's current Ad. If our price on the identical item isn't already as low, or lower than their advertised price we will Immediately meet their price! We exclude gimmick promotions (Scratch & Save), & entire Department, entire Store percentage off Promotions. We reserve the right to limit quantities. USE OUR CONVENIENT LAYAWAY PLAN