Tag: Poets of Confederation

“CONFEDERATION WAS IMPOSED upon Nova Scotia in 1867 over the opposition of significant groups of people within the province. There were many reasons for their opposition to union, and a great deal has been written concerning the nature of the struggle and the ultimate success of the Confederates. That Nova Scotia’s response to Confederation was highly emotional has not gone unnoticed.” Tho’ felon hands have forged a chain,In slavery to bind us;We yet shall snap the bonds in twain,And cast the links behind us. With lying lips and guileful tongueThey laboured to enslave us;Until those rights from us were wrung,Which our forefathers gave us. Our noble country they would grasp,With tyranny enthralling;While we in bondage sore must graspBeneath a rule so galling. To traitors we must bow the kneeIn humble supplication –Shall we who lately were so freeBrook this humiliation? Forbid it heaven, and all true menEndowed with powers of …

Anti Lyrics No. 1 – from “Some Nova Scotian Poets of Confederation” Read More…

“CONFEDERATION WAS IMPOSED upon Nova Scotia in 1867 over the opposition of significant groups of people within the province. There were many reasons for their opposition to union, and a great deal has been written concerning the nature of the struggle and the ultimate success of the Confederates. That Nova Scotia’s response to Confederation was highly emotional has not gone unnoticed.” But one short year, and oh the changeWhich darkly shades our country’s brow!Once free as mountain eagles rangeHow low the droop in sadness now! When dawned the morn of ’67,Fair and most prosperous was her state,No happier country under heaven,Look at her now in ’68! The bright-eyed goddess weeps to seeHer children humbled in the dustMarveling that such things could beSuch evils wrought by hands accurs’d. That such a country, such a raceCould fall so far and sink so low?And yet live under the disgraceWithout one liberating blow. Deep …

Anti Lyrics No. II – from “Some Nova Scotian Poets of Confederation” Read More…

“CONFEDERATION WAS IMPOSED upon Nova Scotia in 1867 over the opposition of significant groups of people within the province. There were many reasons for their opposition to union, and a great deal has been written concerning the nature of the struggle and the ultimate success of the Confederates. That Nova Scotia’s response to Confederation was highly emotional has not gone unnoticed.” Among the strange things that we seeAre quondam traitors like McGee,Prating to us of liberty.With him were England’s crosses, barsMade red with impious wars –The gods she worships – Mamon -Mars! A champion of the rights of manHe raged and hurled his awful banAt Britain’s head and off he ran! We see him next in Yankee land;And there he offered heart and handTo any who, at his command, Would simply cross the wide, wide oceanAnd whip proud England; what a notion!While he would stay and watch the motion. None …

Anti Lyrics No. III – from “Some Nova Scotian Poets of Confederation” Read More…

“CONFEDERATION WAS IMPOSED upon Nova Scotia in 1867 over the opposition of significant groups of people within the province. There were many reasons for their opposition to union, and a great deal has been written concerning the nature of the struggle and the ultimate success of the Confederates. That Nova Scotia’s response to Confederation was highly emotional has not gone unnoticed.” The day she dieda redbreast hoppedthrough the open doorin stilled December,inquiring nearwith little confident bounce,starting my first tear. Alastair Macdonald Muise, D.A. “Some Nova Scotian Poets of Confederation” Dalhousie Review, Volume 50, Number 1, 1970 https://dalspace.library.dal.ca/bitstream/handle/10222/59368/dalrev_vol50_iss1_pp71_82.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

“CONFEDERATION WAS IMPOSED upon Nova Scotia in 1867 over the opposition of significant groups of people within the province. There were many reasons for their opposition to union, and a great deal has been written concerning the nature of the struggle and the ultimate success of the Confederates. That Nova Scotia’s response to Confederation was highly emotional has not gone unnoticed.” Repeal or no Repeal? that is the question;Whether ’tis best for us to live in quiet,As we arc now, a tail end of the great confederation,Or to take arms against this unjust union,And by our voting end it? To go -secede –That’s all I And with one voice, united at the poll,End all this doubt of what is our intention. Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished,To be- but free once more; perchance a union maritime,Aye, there’s the rub; for, were we free what good might come,When we have …

The Repealer’s Soliloquy Read More…

“CONFEDERATION WAS IMPOSED upon Nova Scotia in 1867 over the opposition of significant groups of people within the province. There were many reasons for their opposition to union, and a great deal has been written concerning the nature of the struggle and the ultimate success of the Confederates. That Nova Scotia’s response to Confederation was highly emotional has not gone unnoticed.” Pity the sorrows of some Union men,Whose unwise steps have borne them to your door;Whose days politically are but a span,0 give relief! And tax our bread no more. Those scattered ranks, extremety bespeaks,Those Customs locks do justify the Antis fears;And many a furrow in our grief worn cheeksHas been the channel to a flood of tears. You have erected on the rising groundWith ‘miles of cornice’, drew me from the road;These sinecures a residence have found,And grandeur a magnificent abode. Hard is the fate of fishermen and poor,Here …

The Petition to Ottawa Read More…

“CONFEDERATION WAS IMPOSED upon Nova Scotia in 1867 over the opposition of significant groups of people within the province. There were many reasons for their opposition to union, and a great deal has been written concerning the nature of the struggle and the ultimate success of the Confederates. That Nova Scotia’s response to Confederation was highly emotional has not gone unnoticed.” Hush my babes, be still and trustingSooth your fears and soundly sleep.My biggest bubble’s almost bursting,But soothing Syrup’s blessed cheap. Sleep soft dupes and trust in Tupper;Retrenchment’s but a naughty dream,The sad effect of too much supper,He never thought of such a scheme. Hush, that’s not the cars you’re hearing:‘Tis but the mind – you silly pup,Longley’s only ‘electioneering’;He’s tore the cursed Railroad up. Soft my babes, let music charm you;‘Quebec Scheme’s’ a blessed thing;Not a Fenian will dare to harm you,When under Canada’s wing. Happy days, devoutly withed …

Lullaby – from “Some Nova Scotian Poets of Confederation” Read More…