Cape Breton's Magazine

ask me if we could sing a song. If I don't like to sing, (but) I'm going to sing it. But it wouldn't be the same voice, if I had to sing. You understand what I mean? (Sure.) But it's not eve? ry day like that. Maybe sometimes it's happened like that. And the violin player and the guitar player and the mouth organ, it's the same thing. If they don't feel like playing--you could tell. And me, I could tell, too. I mean, sometimes it could come on my place, it might be that day that I wouldn't be able to sing, I would sing. But you know, it all depends. It's about the same like maybe driving a car. Sometimes you'll go on a trip--you could drive car, it doesn't bother you at all. And sometimes maybe you go on a trip and it seems that you don't feel like driving, right? If you're going too far. Well, singing is the same thing. But it's not very often it's happened. This article is the result of conversations, some in English and some in French, by Rosie Aucoin and by Cape Breton's Maga? zine • visits witii Leo Aucoin. For photos of a younger Leo Au? coin, our thanlcs to Theresa Wierbislci. Thanl(s aiso to Daniel Au? coin and Domilthide Aucoin for help in re-telling the songs in English. The photos of Leo singing a drinldng song are by Da? niel Aucoin. For help with information regarding Joseph Larade, our thanlcs to his sister Elizalseth Roach and his daughter lUlau- reen Culligan. David Lloyd Samson has prepared a tape of Leo Aucoin singing. None of the songs in this article are on that tape, but it gives a good example of Leo's unaccompanied style. Queries should be directed to Mr. Samson, P. O. Box 563, Cheticamp, N. S. BOE 1H0. Acadian traditional songs from Cape Breton have been pub? lished in a series of songbooics by Pere Anselme Chiasson and Pdre Daniel Boudreau as Chansons d'Acadie (Moncton: Ed. des Aboiteaux, 1942,1944,1946,1972,1979). And several Cape Bre? ton Acadian songs appear in Helen Creighton's La Fleurdu Rosi? er, which is still available from University College of Cape Breton Press, P. O. Box 5300, Sydney, N. S. BIP 6L2 (paperback$26.70). The first choice for fine food and lodging on the Cabot Trail The Normaway is proud to be able to share a part of Cape Breton's culture. Enjoy • traditional music, nightly films, a choice selection of Cape Breton books and records, traditional Cape Breton entertainment most spring and fall weekends. You don't have to be a guest of the Inn to ei'oy a Normaway evening. Dinner served from 6 to 9 p.m., June 15 to October 15. Reservations suggested. THE NORMAWAY INN 902-248-2987 or 1-800-565-9463 P.O. Box 142, Margaree Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada BOE 2C0 BETTENS CONSTRUCTION"' • General Contracting j ' Residential & Commercial FOUNDATIONS • FLOORS REINFORCED CONCRETE SLABS RAISING OF BUILDINGS Serving Cape Breton Since 1929 849-6566 849-7639 (FAX) • (PHONE) 157 MAIN STREET, GLACE BAY B1A 4Z1 25th ANNIVERSARY! Visit an Underground Coal Mine Glace Bay, N.S. One of the Foremost Museums in Nova Scotia! Bring your family to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience of touring an actual Coal Mine with a retired miner as your guide. After touring Museum and Mine, visit the well-stocked Gift Shop and the Miners' Village Restaurant on the same 15- acre site located just one mile from downtown Glace Bay. The Miners' Museum Is Open Year Round and Welcomes Group Tours juring June, July, and August, Inquire about Tuesday Nic Concerts with the "Men of the Deeps" o'S'SiaS"B*i??ll PHONE (902) 849-4522