Born in 1913 in Strathadam, on the Nor’-West Miramichi River, Marie Hare (nee Whitney) was a celebrated folksinger. Her grandfather cleared a significant farm in Strathadam, and her father spent his life working in the lumber woods. Her mother’s family was immortalized in the popular song ‘The Jones Boys.’

Hare learned many traditional Anglo-Canadian songs from her parents. Louise Manny discovered her talent, and she performed at the inaugural Miramichi Folksong Festival in 1958. Hare went on to perform at the festival every year for over three decades.

</Recordings of Hare’s performances at the festival can be found, and she also released an LP titled “Marie Hare of Strathadam”  (1962, Folk Legacy FSC-9), which was reissued on cassette by the CSMT, CFMS, 5-8503 in 1985. Accompanying documentation by Louise Manny and Edward D. Ives provides insight into her style and includes notes and lyrics for her songs. 

Hare’s husband, Perley Hare, also performed at the Miramichi festival but passed away in 1988.

This post has already been read 60 times!