Nickelback's 'Narwhal' Keeps Alive Greenland's Whaling Music Legacy
The rich musical history of whaling in Greenlandic culture has produced numerous traditional sea songs. These tunes not only preserve the past but also connect us to the present, as seen in the recent release of 'Narwhal, the Continuing Story of the Unicorn' by the renowned Canadian rock band Nickelback.
Whaling has been deeply ingrained in Greenlandic culture for centuries, with whaling songs forming a significant part of its musical heritage. One such song, 'Greenland Whale Fisheries', dates back to before 1725, narrating the tale of men hunting a female whale.
The Northwest Passage, a vital sea lane connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has inspired many a seafaring song. Canadian folk musician Stan Rogers captured this longing for home in his 1981 song 'Take It From Day to Day'. European explorers, including Norwegian captain Roald Amundsen who successfully navigated the passage in 1906, have left their mark on this musical tradition.
'Narwhal, the Continuing Story of the Unicorn', a shanty inspired by the Bible story of Noah's Ark, tells how narwhales came to be through song. Another notable song, 'Farewell to Tarwathie', originating in Aberdeenshire, Scotland around 1850, bids a sailor's farewell to his hometown as he embarks on a long journey to Greenland. The most famous sea shanty about the Northwest Passage, simply titled 'Northwest Passage', is considered an unofficial Canadian national anthem by many.
In 2017, Nickelback, one of Canada's most famous rock bands known for hits like 'How You Remind Me' and 'Photograph', released 'Narwhal, the Continuing Story of the Unicorn'. This song is the fourth track on their ninth studio album, 'Feed the Machine', which was released on 16 June 2017.
From traditional Greenlandic whaling songs to modern rock anthems, the Northwest Passage continues to inspire musicians. As Nickelback's 'Narwhal, the Continuing Story of the Unicorn' demonstrates, the rich musical legacy of these seafaring tales remains vibrant and relevant today.
