A CBC historical note: HARMONY HARBOUR Here are the memories of an avid listener, Robert Just. In 1946, there were two singers, a man and a woman (their names escape me now). They were based in Halifax, and did a 15-minute program they called Harmony Harbour. They left Halifax, and Frank W. Doyle, the managing editor of the Halifax Chronicle Herald and Mail Star, approached Syd Kennedy, who was, at that time, a staff announcer at CBH. He wanted to have a program of seafaring lore, with songs to back up his narrative. The Acadian Male Quartet, a foursome of local businessmen, got the call to sing the shanties, while Mr. Doyle wrote the script for each broadcast. Syd Kennedy was the original narrator, and the Harmony Harbour we came to know and love went on the air on November 23, 1947. The lovely verse used to open each program was written by Eileen Cameron, and went like this: We give you ships and tides and men, Anchors aweigh and wind-filled sail. We give you back the sea again In sailors song and rousing tale. And inland, where the dark hills rise Between you and the salt-thick foam, You hear the surf; the seagulls cries; And, eastward, turn your hearts toward home. The waves heard on each broadcast were actually recorded on the shore at Cow Bay on the eastern shore. You would also hear the three bells on the ship, and the plaintive call of the gulls.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:14:20 +0000
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