Girl on the Dunes

In 1723 a Basque woman and her teenager daughter came to an Acadian settlement on Prince Edward Island. The mother soon died leaving the young girl on her own. The Acadians attributed magical powers to the girl and, if the legend is true, she was convicted of witchcraft in November of 1723. I've written several songs about this story. One song is a co-write with Ron Hynes. At this point in the tale, her mother has just died and the girl is being visited by fisherman asking for favourable winds and other magical favours.

by Teresa Doyle

Cold river flowing, soft breezes blowing
Blackbirds fill the skies
Boats in the harbour, fisherman gather
The tide is on the rise.
Out on the beachhead, a young girl's camped out
Sailors flock to her door.
Send us fine weather, find us good shelter
See our boats safely to shore.

Chorus:
Like a dove in the distant sky
Out upon the dunes she cries.
Oh that sweet young girl
Cast upon a cruel world.

Lonely she wanders, silently ponders
The tragedy wrought by this place.
Who will protect her, offer her shelter
Wipe the tears from her face.
And when she goes walking, the town folks are talking
They say she has secrets untold.
Perhaps some strange powers, with herbs and with flowers
It's best they just leave her alone.

Chorus

Cold river flowing, soft breezes blowing
Blackbirds fill the skies
Boats in the harbour, fisherman gather
The tide is on the rise.
The tide is on the rise.
The tide is on the rise.