In 1990, she was the bestselling country artist in Canada, outselling even Garth Brooks and Clint Black. She is also the only female singer ever to have three separate albums chart in the same year in Australia.
A native of Big Pond, Cape Breton County, MacNeil first performed on stage in 1971, and recorded her first album, Born a Woman, in 1975. She performed at folk festivals throughout the 1970s and 1980s, culminating in her major label debut and pop breakthrough in 1987.
MacNeil hosted a CBC Television variety show, Rita and Friends, from 1994 to 1997. The show won a Gemini Award in 1996. She also runs a tea room in her hometown of Big Pond, which has become one of Cape Breton Island's most popular tourist attractions.
She was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1992 and was awarded the Order of Nova Scotia in 2005.
MacNeil wrote her memoirs On A Personal Note with Anne Simpson in 1998, which was published by Key Porter Books.
Flying On Her Own, a play based on MacNeil's life and featuring many of her songs, premiered at Live Bait Theatre in Sackville, NB in 2000. Written by Canadian playwright Charlie Rhindress, it was subsequently produced by Neptune Theatre in Halifax, NS in 2002 and published by Playwrights Canada Press in 2008.
the crossing
Rita MacNeil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My father told me stories
Of how he would return one day
And in a time of glory
We were distant by a many miles
Made distant by the sailin'
I've come to stand in Father's place
I heard the night winds wailin'
He was haunted by a melody
He heard so long ago
It came from in his mother's heart
And touched his very soul
Oh I've often heard him speak your name
Although we've never met
I've come to see, for Father now
To put his mind to rest
And when the night lies over you
And I lay gently dreamin'
Although the candle burns no more
The journey's now completed
The past is far behind us now
It was buried in the crossin'
We have our place that bears the trace
Of time so long forgotten
We were distant by a broken tides
Made distant by the ocean
I've come to stand in father's place
I heard the night winds callin'
He was haunted by a melody
He heard so long ago
It came from in his mother's heart
And touched his very soul
Oh I've often heard him speak your name
Although we've never met
I've come to see for father now
To put his mind to rest
And when the night lies over you
And I lay gently dreamin'
Although the candle burns no more
The journey's now completed
And when the night lies over you
And I lay gently dreamin'
Although the candle burns no more
The journey's now completed
Rita MacNeil's song "Crossing" tells the story of a father and son who were separated by distance but connected by a shared heritage. The song speaks of a generation that has come from and left behind their homeland. The father has told his son stories of their homeland and how he dreams of returning in glory. However, the father never gets the chance to make his dream a reality, and it becomes the son's responsibility to visit their homeland and bring peace to his father's restless soul.
The song's powerful emotions and imagery are expressed through the lyrics. The son has come to stand in his father's place, in the hope of fulfilling his father's unfulfilled dream. He feels his father's pain and hears the night winds wailing, haunted by a melody from his mother's heart that touched his father's soul. The father's love for his homeland and his yearning to return are deeply felt by the son, who now understands his father's longing.
The theme of the song lies in the importance of heritage, roots, and family. The father-son relationship is a powerful bond in the song, and the son's actions represent the love and respect he has for his father. The song speaks of a journey of life and the completion of that journey, which for the father, could only be completed by returning to his roots. The song is a celebration of the past and the memories that should not be forgotten.
Line by Line Meaning
A generation's come from here
Our family has come from this place, from this land.
My father told me stories
My father spoke to me of his memories and experiences.
Of how he would return one day
He shared his desire to come back and seek glory or success.
And in a time of glory
He wished to be triumphant and celebrated in his return.
We were distant by a many miles
We were far apart geographically.
Made distant by the sailin'
Our separation was due to the act of sailing, crossing bodies of water.
I've come to stand in Father's place
I am here to fulfill my father's wish and take his place.
I heard the night winds wailin'
I listened to the night sounds that conveyed feelings of loss and grief.
He was haunted by a melody
My father remembered a tune that stayed with him and tormented him.
He heard so long ago
The melody filled his mind for a significant length of time.
It came from in his mother's heart
The tune originated in his mother's emotions and feelings.
And touched his very soul
The melody had a profound impact on my father's innermost being.
Oh I've often heard him speak your name
My father frequently referred to you, even though you've never met before.
Although we've never met
You and my father did not have the chance to see each other.
I've come to see, for Father now
I am here to visit you on behalf of my father.
To put his mind to rest
To bring closure to my father's restless thoughts.
And when the night lies over you
When the night surrounds you.
And I lay gently dreamin'
And I am peacefully sleeping and dreaming.
Although the candle burns no more
Even though the candle has stopped burning.
The journey's now completed
The journey is now finished, accomplished and done.
The past is far behind us now
The things that happened before are now distant and no longer relevant.
It was buried in the crossin'
Our past was left behind when we crossed the water.
We have our place that bears the trace
We have a location that carries the signs of bygone times.
Of time so long forgotten
A time that happened a long time ago and faded from memory.
We were distant by a broken tides
Our separation was caused by unruly or turbulent waters.
Made distant by the ocean
Our distance was brought about by the vast expanse of water.
I heard the night winds callin'
I perceived the sounds of the night, calling out, beckoning.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RITA MACNEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Deenie
on Black Rock
My father had a tape player in his old Honda. I always requested "Black Rock" when I was dealing with depression sadly. He was so kind, that all he would say was..."Now how did I know you'd pick that song?" He spoke softly and smiled.