Background and Interpretation of Alec's Lament

This song was collected in Tignish Price Edward Island. Tignish was started by 8 Acadian families who were later joined by Irish immigrants. The Folk songs of Prince Edward Island says, "Tignish is settled by a mixture of Acadians and Irish. Though French is no longer spoken very much there, it lingers in the intonation of spoken English."

In the introduction to the song the author writes (page 44), "Until quite recently the laws concerning the sale and use of alcoholic beverages on Prince Edward Island have been of almost unequalled severity. It was even necessary at one time to obtain a medical certificate (price $3.00) to quench one's thirst legally. Bootleggers, whether smugglers, illegal distillers or dealers flourished in spite of all the efforts of the police." Apparently bootlegging has been very prominent on in PEI up until this decade. A 2004 article on the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corperation) News website reports a crackdown on bootleggers who have been operating for decades in full view of the authorities with little repercussions, one person for over 25 years. many people claim the illegal liquor establishments are a part of their culture and are relied upon by many people. This song seems to have been made up in a period of crackdown similar to the crackdown described in 2004. The singer (Alec) is defending the bootleggers and warning them of the Howard Foley, probably the police officer, and Albert Knox, the jail keeper. Alec seems to be mourning the loss of of a way of life. He says, "it used to be a place to drink and enjoy a good night's fun." The new way of life being forced by these authority figures is completely unacceptable to Alec, and possibly the whole village: "so I'll have to leave the village and go to some foreign land".