ABSTRACT

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.

chapter 1|29 pages

Introduction

chapter 3|19 pages

Going Down in History

The Story of Disaster Songs

chapter 4|25 pages

Locating Meaning

The Place of Disasters in Songs

chapter 5|18 pages

Spontaneity and Ephemerality

The Timing of Memorialization

chapter 6|33 pages

Social Significance

The Motivation to Create Disaster Songs

chapter 7|19 pages

Personal Motivations

Relationships and Grief

chapter 8|13 pages

News and Social Media

Inspiring, Informing, and Disseminating Disaster Songs

chapter 9|16 pages

Conclusion