Disaster Songs as Intangible Memorials in Atlantic Canada

Disaster Songs as Intangible Memorials in Atlantic Canada draws on a collection of over 600 songs relating to Atlantic Canadian disasters from 1891 up until the present and describes the characteristics that define them as intangible memorials. The book demonstrates the relationship between vernacular memorials - informal memorials collectively and spontaneously created from a variety of objects by the general public - and disaster songs. The author identifies the features that define vernacular memorials and applies them to disaster songs: spontaneity, ephemerality, importance of place, motivations and meaning-making, content, as well as the role of media in inspiring and disseminating memorials and songs. Visit the companion website: www.disastersongs.ca.

Heather Sparling is Professor of ethnomusicology and the Canada Research Chair in Musical Traditions at Cape Breton University in Canada.

Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Formal Memorials, Vernacular Memorials, and Disaster Songs Chapter 3 Going Down in History: The Story of Disaster Songs Chapter 4 Locating Meaning: The Place of Disasters in Songs Chapter 5 Spontaneity & Ephemerality: The Timing of Memorialization Chapter 6 Social Significance: The Motivation to Create Disaster Songs Chapter 7 Personal Motivations: Relationships & Grief Chapter 8 News & Social Media: Inspiring, Informing, and Disseminating Disaster Songs Chapter 9 Conclusion