Day 20: Mira PP to Marine Ferry

Woke up to full sunshine this morning, a delightful treat after the last two days. Since we both have meetings that last beyond noonhour, there will be no sightseeing as we also need to catch the ferry to Newfoundland this afternoon. We have to be at the ferry terminal 2 hours prior to sailing.

Breakfast outside, chores, laundry and meetings pretty much occupied our time.

I have had the song, Farewell to Nova Scotia, in my head for days. I thought it would be appropriate to talk about it here as we leave Nova Scotia for Newfoundland.

The official song of Nova Scotia, Farewell to Nova Scotia, also known as ‘The Nova Scotia Song, is a favourite folk song of unknown authorship, believed to have been written shortly before or during World War I. Derived from ‘The Soldier’s Adieu’, by Scottish poet Robert Tannahill, the song was changed to reflect a soldier’s sorrow at leaving the hills behind as he heads out to sea. It has been sung by many popular Canadian singers including Catherine MacKinnon, Anne Murray, Stompin’ Tom, the Irish Rovers and others.

Here are the lyrics:

The sun was setting in the west|The birds were singing on every tree|All nature seemed inclined to rest|But still there was no rest for me||Farewell to Nova Scotia, the seabound coast|Let your mountains dark and dreary be|For when I am far away on the brimy ocean tossed|Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me?||The drums do beat and the wars do alarm|My captain calls, and I must obey||So farewell, farewell to Nova Scotia’s charms|For it’s early in the morning, I’ll be far, far away||Farewell to Nova Scotia, the seabound coast|Let your mountains dark and dreary be|For when I am far away on the brimy ocean tossed|Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me?||I grieve to leave my native land|I grieve to leave my comrades all|And my parents, whom I loved so dear|And the bonny, bonny lassie that I do adore||Farewell to Nova Scotia, the seabound coast|Let your mountains dark and dreary be|For when I am far away on the brimy ocean tossed|Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me?||I have three brothers and they are at rest|Their hands are folded on their chests|But a poor and simple sailor just like me|Must be tossed and driven on the dark, blue sea||Farewell to Nova Scotia, the seabound coast|Let your mountains dark and dreary be|For when I am far away on the brimy ocean tossed|Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me?||Farewell to Nova Scotia, the seabound coast|Let your mountains dark and dreary be|For when I am far away on the brimy ocean tossed|Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me?||Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me?||

It is late afternoon. We have been sitting in line in the parking lot for over two hours along with everyone else. It appears we might finally be boarding. I have already made up the bed for sleeping. We won’t arrive in camp until we’ll after midnight. Might as well just be able to fall into bed! I also have some things packed for the trip across… like a blanket. It was positively freezing on our previous ferries. We don’t have the birth we ordered on our original aborted ferry reservation but we do have a private lounge with airliner seats.

I am posting this now. See you on the other side!