Emma Stevens - The Ballad of Shubenacadie (Official Video)

The Ballad of Shubenacadie is dedicated to the victims and survivors of the Canadian Indian residential school system.

To learn more about the Shubenacadie Residential School and the Canadian Indian residential school system visit:
https://parks.canada.ca/culture/desig...

The Ballad of Shubenacadie was released on Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada, September 30, 2023.

Media and performance inquiries: [email protected]


Songwriters: Carter Chiasson and Emma Stevens
Executive Producer / Music Production: Carter Chiasson
Audio Production: Jamie Foulds (Soundpark)
Video Production: Jason LeFrense (JLF Productions)



//SPECIAL THANKS//

Ed Woodsworth
Colin Grant
Shawnee Paul
Nicole Deveau
The Red Farm Sydney NS
Nryth
Baby Oliver


THE BALLAD OF SHUBENACADIE // LYRICS:

I always dread the time of year
When Summer turns to Fall
With the changing of the seasons
The writing’s on the wall
It makes no sense to me
That in the name of charity
I pack my bags for Shubenacadie

We were only 6 years old
In 1942
And all that mattered in my world
Was mom and dad, and me and you
But when night would fall and the lights went out, in the building on the hill
I’d close my eyes and time would stand still

And I’d cry for my mama’s touch
That in my dreams is real
And I’d cry for my daddy's love
That in my heart I feel
And I cry for the wasted years, the hurt, the fear and shame
Some things just cannot be explained
I wonder if I’ll ever be the same

I can still remember
The cold checkered floors
The echoes of the screams at night
And the slamming of the doors
I can still hear your voice
Broken and teary eyed
There’s nowhere left for me to run and hide

And I’d cry for my mama’s touch
That in my dreams is real
And I’d cry for my daddy's love
That in my heart I feel
And I cry for the wasted years, the hurt, the fear and shame
Some things just cannot be explained
I wonder if I’ll ever be the same

Through the coldest days and the darkest nights
I’d dream that I could hold you tight
I can’t help but feel just like
That nothing in this world feels right

For 40 years
It’s been of mind but out of sight
Every Summer turns to Fall
And I still can’t sleep at night
Despite the passing of the seasons, and the fading memories
My heart breaks for Shubenacadie

And I’d cry for my mama’s touch
That in my dreams is real

And I’d cry for my daddy's love
That in my heart I feel
And I cry for the wasted years, the hurt, the fear and shame
Some things just cannot be explained
I wonder if we'll ever be the same

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Photo of the Shubenacadie Residential School courtesy of The Sisters of Charity, Halifax, Congregational Archives.