Minnie (1928–2019) and Tom Murphy (1915–1988)

Minnie Murphy was born in St Bride’s, Placentia Bay, on 24 March 1928. She has been a hard-working woman all of her life, doing everything from cutting wood to hauling kelp, and working in fish plants in Branch, St Bride’s, and Argentia. She also kept the gardens and tended the hay on her own farm. Her favourite activity was working with the horses—or, more particularly, riding the local horses when no one was watching. Minnie doesn’t recall learning to sing; it was just something she did, especially when she was young and the songs came easily.

Like Minnie, Tom Murphy was born in St Bride’s. He was a fisherman most of his life, though he went away to work in Hamilton, Ontario, for a time. Tom’s people were known for their music, so that’s probably where he learned most of his songs. Because of Tom’s reputation as a singer, Minnie recalls, collectors often called to the house with the offer of a few dollars in exchange for some songs.

Both Minnie and Tom enjoyed going to house parties. Whenever one was happening on the Cape Shore they made sure to attend. These provided opportunities not only to sing—both solo and duet—but also to dance and be sociable. Songs they performed solo were “The broken-hearted milkman” (sung by Tom) and ‘Down by the riverside’ (sung by Minnie); they also performed together from time to time. 

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Biographical Information

Courtesy of Minnie Murphy