Why is a provincial song, flag or flower less offensive then, say, a provincial religion? Are the singers of "The Island Hymn" or "Farewell to Nova Scotia" a threat to someone in the same manner that someone promoting "turn the other cheek"? Are lovers of the Stinkweed somewhat put out about the attention given to <a href="http://www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/onelisting.php3?number=1523" target="blank">the Lady Slipper?</a> Maybe I am suffering from the McLeod "Need a coffee", so will consider this statement and return to it after a cup or two.

I have no idea of what you are talking about so I guess you do need a coffee. If you are suggesting that "The Island Hymn" is as publicly sung as "Farewell..." or "The Ode..." you'll be needing the whole pot. My point is that these are good things and that positive pride is good. As there is no such thing as provincial faiths I don't know where you are going with that one.

God bless my good pal Casco who has provided this link to a rousing Maine song which I now seem to recall being hummed by all the customers at RSVP Liquors (scroll down).

I agree with you , the Island Hymm is not presented in the same way as "Farewell to Nova Scotia". I guess what I am trying to say (after a large black)is that there <b>is</b> a song that does stir up feelings of pride in place for Islanders, much as "Farewell..." does for you. Lord knows, that song does nothing for me. Granted, the Island Hymm does not generally come up while in a patriotic, drunken stupor, or at a table in a beer hall below the Lord Nelson(I forget the name of it in 1977 where I belted out the N.S. anthem unashamedly - at my voice, that is). But, Thr Island Hymn does hold a special place in the hearts of many Islanders, which does show when the song is sung.

Having said that, perhaps at the time I was questioning why some things like a song do it for some, while a smell or image do it for others. And, how really, one can disagree with the rationalle behind why one symbol might raise such an inspiration, (such as a Provincial flower) and another symbol (such as a Provincial religion)might appear totally nonsensical.

You are right, if I read correctly. This is not the place to engage in idle ramble and unclear speculative concepts which are not thoroughly thought-out before issued. My blog is the place for me to do that, even if it is somehow related to someone elses thread. I might question, however, your raising the concept of "positive pride". What do you "believe" is the meaning?

I think there is a difference between not taking any guff (as you rightly do) about your chosen emotional home and coming off as superior. I think if more positive pride separated from economic success or political dictat, there might in fact be more of the former and less of the latter. Who do we find attractive? People that like themselves. There are very few peoples (or indeed people) who have attractive capabilties which could be better presented.<p>By the way, ramble as idly as you like here, Wayne.

New blog motto:
Gen X at 40 -- the place to ramble idly

I guess it goes without saying that "intent" has much to do with what you "think" defines "positive pride". In my case, it is never my intent to willingly put someone/someplace down with a display/statement of pride in my hometown/homeprovince. That does not preclude the fact that some resident of another might choose to infer my intention as otherwise. And claim their interpretation of my statement as corrrect.

Quite often, we are irritated by the flagwaving and public displays of American patriotism. Who like themselves better then Americans? Yet, are they liked right now? (Rightly or wrongly) Many have-nots choose to interpret their attitude as a put-down, and some believe, fuel the fire of hatred burning in the populations of poorer countries. What is their intention? Perhaps Americans do not intend to offend, but they do. Therefore, can such symbols of pride, as interpreted by others, be ever correctly understood? Action, such as excitement at the worlds most exciting sporting event, "The Ryder Cup" have also been interpreted in a manner not intended. But, still occur.

Understanding symbols of pride,and how they are received, is an interesting topic for me to ramble about. But, I think it is related to your topic, on a larger scale.

Better an idle rambling than a rant. Did any of you read "The Idler" magazine out of Toronto in the late 80s early 90s? I still have a couple of copies. Spawned a pub also since departed. A slim connection to the new magazine <i>Walrus</i> can be found here.<p>You know...I would go to a bar called "Walrus". Leather armchairs, Guinness, Beamish and Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout on tap. Crab cakes, fish cakes, corned beef and potato pie - in fact a menu based entirely on stouts, cakes and pies.

Funny, I was thinking about The Idler when I wrote that post. I ate at the pub a few times ... it was OK, but they forgot that service was king, and that was that.

So does Maine have such a song, or the Netherlands?
<p>I don't really recall typical Dutch songs specifically and the only songs that springs in mind is the National Anthem ('Wilhelmus') and useless football banter/chants. As in:
</p>
<p>AJAX. AJAX. AJAX. (link leads to a well known football club's site).
</p>
<p>Pretty sad, eh?
</p>

Ontari-ari-ari-o is a godawful song. The better Ontario Provincial anthem is 'Land of the Silver Birch'. Paul Gross played it on the bagpipes at the beginning of the movie _Men with Brooms_.

And 'Farewell to Nova Scotia' is so damn gloomy and defeatist. Mountains dark and dreary? I think 'Watching the Apples Grow' by Stan Rogers is more uplifting. It even includes the requisite anti-ontario lines

<i>Ontario, you I know a place I'd rather be. Your scummy lakes and city of Toronto don't do a damn thing for me, I'd rather be by the sea</i>

Good points, Ikram. My choice for Ontario song is "The Blackfly Song". I have to disagree on "Farewell..." however as it touches on the transient nature of life and the economy of Nova Scotia and, best of all, it is a true collected folk song from a guy - which also speaks to the folk art of Nova Scotia. That being said, Stan's songs are the best. I would choose Rawdon Hills if only for driving that road so often across the back of Hants Co. There is nothing like a Nova Scotia backroad for wandering.

Hey, where can i find the actual song.
ims a doing a une projet.

'Lurleen anticipation'

I was going to say that perhaps a suite of Stan Rogers songs would be needed to make up a Nova Scotia anthem, but then that's pretty much what his first album is all about. Throw in "Bluenose" from his second album; not sure I'd include "The Jeannie C." though - too sad.

"Barrett's Privateers" can be left off, as far as I'm concerned. Once you've heard it 40,000 times...

that song rocks

Canadian provinces don't have songs,right?