Our Top 10 Picks For The Best Songs About Cape Breton Island

Kenzie MacNeil was a major force behind The Rise and Follies of Cape Breton Island, a satirical sketch review that ran from 1978 to 1982.  MacNeil composed the anthem "The Island", a tribute to coal industry workers in Nova Scotia.

Performed by - The Barra MacNeils, Kim Dunn, Matt Minglewood, Andrew Doyle and Bruce Guthro

The Rankin Family of Mabou Cape Breton would go on to win 15 East Coast Music Awards, six Juno Awards, four SOCAN Awards, three Canadian Country Music Awards and two Big Country Music Awards.

Their song The Mull River Shuffle would go on to become one of the most requested Cape Breton songs at events, weddings and in the pubs.

- Performed by The Rankin Family

The Canadian Song Writer's Hall of Fame says:

"Allister MacGillivray’s peaceful Celtic ballad Song For the Mira has made the secluded, picturesque Cape Breton community of Marion Bridge and its Mira River famous the world over. It is a favourite song with roots musicians and choirs in Atlantic Canada and far beyond, having been translated into Scots Gaelic, Italian, Japanese and several other languages. And “Billboard” magazine has recognized Song For the Mira as a folk classic."

- Performed by Anne Murray

Big Pond, Cape Breton's Rita MacNeil would receive five honorary degrees, release 24 albums, win three Juno Awards, a SOCAN National Achievement Award, four CCMA awards, eleven ECMA awards, be inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame and be named to the Order of Nova Scotia and the Order of Canada.

In May 2021 Rita was inducted into the Canadians Songwriters Hall of Fame

- Performed by Rita MacNeil and The Men of The Deeps

My Cape Breton Shore is by Jenn Sheppard and Fred Lavrey.

Jenn was born and raised in New Waterford, Cape Breton. According to her website, Jenn has always considered herself to be a small town girl and is proud of the fact.  More recently Jenn has performed and worked with Heather Rankin, Lucy MacNeil and Bette MacDonald in the original music and comedy hit show, Island Girls

In April 2016 Fred Lavery was presented with the ECMA Industry Builder Award as well as a Studio of the Year Award, for Lakewind Sound Studios. Fred coordinated the talent and acted as musical director for the Cape Breton fundraiser concert, Givin’ Back to the Mac, which raised over $250,000 for victims of the Alberta wild fires.

- Performed by Jenn Sheppard

The Orangedale Whistle is a song recorded by Cape Breton group The Rankin Family. Released in 1992 as the first single from their album, Fare Thee Well Love. It peaked in the top 10 on the RPM Country Tracks chart.

- Performed by The Rankin Family

Cape Breton born vocalist Sam Moon has been performing for many years.  He is known for performing bare foot and wearing his famous Moo Moos.  Various bands he's been in include Universal Power, Moon-Minglewood, Sun Machine, The Power Unit with Ritchie Oakley and The Sam Moon Band.

Sam has backed up the likes of, The Band, ZZ Top, The Doobie Brothers, and The Beach Boys, Delbert Maclinton, and The Atlantic Rhythm Section, as they toured through the area.

- Performed by Sam Moon

Written by Bob Quinn, performed here by his daughter Kate Quinn and her cousin Natalie MacMaster, it's a song that Cape Bretoners near and far away can be carried home by.

Performed by Kate Quinn and Natalie MacMaster

Kelly's Mountain by Charlie MacKinnon is Cape Breton's famous song about what is probably the most well known mountain on the island, Kelly's Mountain.

- Performed by Harold MacIntyre

Heading for Halifax, is a song by Alistair MacDonald and is a musical narrative of the leaving and longing for Cape Breton.

- Performed by Simply Words