5 on Friday -- Set 295

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

As we head for my 300th set, coming up in five weeks, let's look back on some of the sets that have led to this milestone.

Normally, the first set of the month is given over to the year's musical project, which for 2015 has been Spotlight On. However, traditionally I also love to fill my December sets with Christmas music, so I end up delaying the final installment to the week between Christmas and New Year's.

Being a Christmas maniac from way back, I've been filling my Decembers at A Piece of My Mind with music since this blog began in 2007.

For my look back as we approach the next milestone set, with a lively set of traditional Christmas tunes, here is:

5 on Friday -- Set 202  

5 on Friday -- Set 202

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

At the moment, Mike and I are carrying on a tradition started four years ago by our friend Travis. Over the years we've had up to ten bloggers creating wonderful musical sets to share with one another on Fridays.

If you'd like to join in, please do! It's a lot of fun. I've discovered a ton of great new-to-me music doing this weekly feature.

This is the last set before Christmas rolls around next Wednesday. Here are five lively seasonal tunes to get your toes tapping while you get your last-minute Christmas stuff done.

1 - Riu Riu Chiu -- Kalenda Maya

2 - The Seven Joys of Mary -- Great Big Sea

3 - Christmas Jig and Mouth of the Tobique Reel -- Natalie MacMaster and Yo-Yo Ma  

4 - The King -- Loreena Mckennitt and Cedric Smith

5 - Panxolina -- Cristina Pato and Yo-Yo Ma

5 on Friday - Set 13

For today's 5 on Friday, I'm very, very pleased to bring you this taste of traditional east coast music.

In Canada, east coast sound is heavily influenced by the celtic traditions of Scottish and Irish migration to these shores, as well as the Acadian fiddle traditions of the French settlers.

Because they've long been challenged by economic hardship, Maritimers have left home seeking work in other parts of Canada for generation after generation. You'll find a great longing for home in many of the songs of this region.

For more great tunes, check out Travis at Trav's Thoughts.

1 - Farewell to Nova Scotia - Pogey

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 sea-bound coast
Let your mountains dark and dreary be
For when I am far away on the briny ocean tossed
Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me?

- traditional folk tune



2 - Medley - Natalie MacMaster

Traditional jig
The Butlers of Glen Avenue
Annette's Chatter
Dr. Iain MacAonghais



3 - Working Man - The Dubliners

NOTE: This is an Irish group singing a song by Cape Breton's own Rita MacNeil. Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia has been home to many coal miners over the years.

It's a working man I am
And I've been down underground
And I swear to God if I ever see the sun

Or for any length of time
I can hold it in my mind
I never again will go down underground

- Rita MacNeil



4 - She's Called Nova Scotia - Rita MacNeil

So walk through her green fields
Go down to the sea
The fortune in your eyes
Is more like a dream

She's called Nova Scotia
And she so makes you feel
You've discovered her treasure
No other has seen

- Rita MacNeil



5 - Song For the Mira - John Allan Cameron

NOTE: The Mira is a river in Cape Breton.

Can you imagine a piece of the universe
More fit for princes and kings?
I'll give you ten of your cities
For Marion Bridge and the pleasure it brings

Out on the Mira on soft summer nights
Bonfires blaze to the children's delight
They dance round the flames
Singing songs with their friends
I wish I was with them again

- Allister MacGillivray



Jamie says I have most of those songs in my collection of celtic music and influences with the favorite of this mix being Farewell to Nova Scotia.

Alice Audrey says Feeling folksy?

Travis says I enjoyed the music, and I loved the scenery on some of the videos too.