Seogan Màiri Dhanaidh
John Shaw
Eachdraidh-bheatha | Biography
John Shaw | Seògan Màiri Dhanaidh was born on April 6, 1910 in Wreck Cove, Victoria County to Neil Shaw (1848-1919) and Mary MacLean (b. 1879). Neil’s parents, John and Catherine, were both born in 1820 in Scotland, but John was styled after his mother’s line since his father died when John was only nine years old. He had three siblings: Sarah, Donald and Mary Ann.
John married Effie Ann MacLeod in 1941 and lived for many years at Indian Brook where he worked as a fisherman and in the woods. He came from a family of renowned singers, especially on his mother’s side. As a boy he was sent to live with Malcolm Angus MacLeod (also in this Collection) and rapidly acquired the latter’s extensive repertoire of songs. He became a celebrated traditional singer in his community and further afield as a member of the North Shore Gaelic Singers.
John contributed over 50 songs to the Cape Breton Gaelic Folklore Collection, including many iconic North Shore milling songs.
John passed away on December 27, 2000.