A Canadian tradition by Chris Judd

When our pioneering ancestors first came to Canada they came for cheap or free land and were filled with hope of a better future for themselves and their families. The pioneers knew there would be lots of hard work but they were used to that in the old country where they came from.
The difference was that most benefits from working hard back home were passed on to the landlord or the king, but in Canada, your hard work was on your own land and benefits remained with you, your farm and family.
Pioneers worked from daylight till dark on their own farm or cutting trees at the camp in winter. They also took time to enjoy life after a hard day’s work by sharing the traditions they brought from the “old country.” Some could play a harmonica, a fiddle or the spoons. Some could remember some songs from home or they made up new ones. Some could dance a jig from Ireland, remember moves from the dance quadrille, or contredance from England or France.