Artist / Band
Biography
I was born and raised in Brantford, Ontario, a small city nestled some forty miles north of Lake Erie in the western portion of what was once called Upper Canada. Sweet and simple old airs such as "Go Tell Aunt Mary / Susie / Rhodie" or "Turkey in The Straw" were a natural heritage. The only French song we knew was "Alouette." It was not until the coming of World War II when I was shifted from home ground to war stations in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia that I first heard true, homegrown folksongs in modes and patterns which I had not known, and, of course, there was la chanson canadienne which I heard from my French-speaking comrades. It was an enlightening time and I stress it here because, since then, traditional folk forms have been an ever-abiding source of interest and motive. But, of much more import, has been the ongoing interplay of musical lore and support that I have had with friends and co-musicians."
-Wade Hemsworth, from the CD jacket, The Songs of Wade Hemsworth
Wade Hemsworth passed away on January 21st, 2002. The recent outpouring of affection for the man, and the celebration of his music, show what a remarkable contribution he has made to our cultural landscape.
37 tracks
Showing 10 of 12 tracks
Donkey Riding
The Shining Birch Tree
Envoyons d'l'avant
The Jam at Gerry's Rocks
Aidal O'Boy
The Franklin Expedition
V'la l'bon vent (Voila le bon vent)
Ye Girls of Old Ontario
Peter Rambley
The Bride's Lament
9 tracks
The Black Fly Song (vocal Wade Hemsworth with Kate & Anna McGarrigle)
The Log Jam Song (vocal Wade Hemsworth)
Foolish You (vocals Kate & Anna McGarrigle)
The Log Driver's Waltz (vocals Kate & Anna McGarrigle)
The Land of the Muskeg (vocal Murray McLauchlan)
The Story of The I'm Alone (vocal Wade Hemsworth)
My Mother Is the Ocean Sea (vocals Kate & Anna McGarrigle)
The Wild Goose (vocal Wade Hemsworth)
The Complete Wade Hemsworth Radio Show
Showing 10 of 16 tracks
The Wild Goose
The Land of the Muskeg (and the Shining Birch Tree)
The Blackfly Song
Foolish You
The Story of I'm Alone
The Log Driver's Waltz
The Log Jam Song
In the Wintertime
Quiet on the River
Song of the Old Rooster
Gallery
1 image
Media
1 video