Songs of the Mayflower

Songs of the Mayflower
Featuring a beautiful collection of folk songs collected by Helen Creighton, considered Canada’s First Lady of Folklore, whose collection amassed over 4,000 songs across Maritimes Canada. Hear music from the oral and written traditions that were present in Canada in the 17th and early 18th centuries, for a musical snapshot of the melodies and rhythms emblematic of Eastern Canada. Ménestrel’s sound is grounded in historical practice, yet their sensibility is disarmingly modern, shaped by the emotional clarity and immediacy of folk and popular styles.

Ménestrel
Janelle Lucyk, soprano, violin
Kerry Bursey, tenor, lute
Antoine Malette-Chénier, harp and Caroline Tremblay, recorder

Program – Songs of the Mayflower (subject to change)

Come all ye old Comrades – traditional, Creighton Collection
The Sea Captain – traditional, Newfoundland folksong
Fear a Bhata – traditional, Creighton Collection
Ye Rambling Boys of Pleasure – traditional, Creighton Collection
The Blackbird – traditional, Creighton Collection
She’s like the Swallow – traditional, Newfoundland folksong
When I was in my Prime – traditional, Creighton Collection
À la Claire Fontaine – traditional, Quebec
Lochaber – traditional
Plains of Waterloo – traditional, Creighton Collection
Bold Pedlar and Robin Hood – traditional

Ménestrel is a Canadian early music ensemble co-founded by Janelle Lucyk and Kerry Bursey, mixing ancient repertoire with Canadian oral folk traditions. Janelle Lucyk is a singer and producer among an emerging generation of Canadian artists specializing in old music and historically informed performance, taking ideas from conception to the stage. Kerry Bursey is a tenor and plucked string instrumentalist whose voice is appreciated for its luminous quality and as a sought-after lutenist, is also invested in the rare practice of self-accompaniment, in early and folk music of northwestern traditions.

Ménestrel has given performances and collaborated with singers and choirs in all Canada’s 13 provinces and territories. Since 2022, their “Messiah-on-the-go!” production congregates 20 emerging performers from across Canada to be featured in historic Nova Scotian venues. Their debut Leaf Music album was released in March 2026. Their concerts aim to demystify early music, juxtaposing it next to folk songs, which are songs of the people. Ménestrel has been active across Canada since 2019.