Blackfly 

As one who was born in North Ontaryao, let me say that this is THE most rural Canadian thing that has ever created. It captures the experience perfectly.

Now this is going to be stuck in my head for another 30 years

In Argentina, I knew about this gem back in the 90's thanks to a local TV program called 'Caloi en su Tinta', a show dedicated to animation shorts from all around the world.

This guy came to my elementary school during cultural day & sang it for my class. I had seen this cartoon several times by then, and it made me the happiest 2nd grader in the building to sing along to it in person. Thank you, Mr. Hemsworth.

Hi from Siberia. We also have so wonderful experience every summer

What memories this one brings back, from Wade Hemsworth, the guy who wrote the Logdriver's Waltz and a few other good ones. Thank God for the National Film Board of Canada.

To this day, this has got to be one of the most popular short films at the ROM summer camp in Toronto

Saw this late night on Channel 4 (UK) back in about ‘92 at 10 years old and never forgot the chorus. Here I am in 2018 tracking it down again. Got to love the Internet, this song is still great!

I so vividly remember that day in 1991 on Morningside with Peter Gzowski when Wade Hemsworth and the McGarrigle Sisters appeared from CBC’S Montreal studio to perform that marvellous song. I invitited the McGarrigles to appear on the show and in our story meeting Gzowski protested that they'd never do it. That they were too fussy. They were a dream when they appeared with a studio full of musicians and Hemsworth from Montreal. Radio magic.

Oh man! I remember this video from my childhood! We had a show called Oh! Canada down here in the states that showed Canadian shorts like this.

I saw/heard this on uk tv about 30+ years ago - snippets of it have been lodged in my memories ever since

My grandfather worked on a survey crew in north Ontario, though not on the Abitibi river. He said the blackflies sometimes got so dense they would blot out the sun.

That company title sequence is just great

this song was part of my childhood

Canada has the most talented black flies.

Between this, the logging song and the cat song. I don't know which I like better.

Love this song. Have met the little sob's more than I care for. Threatened to give my niece to them one time in north Ontario on one of our road trips from the West Coast. She had been acting up a lot. Gave her the choice: behave or she would meet her little cousins in one minute. She looked out the window at the clouds of the hungry buggers trying to get in then checked to see if I meant business. We had peace and quiet for the next 200 km. The irony is that I am the one tortured by all the flying vampires.

I’m 26 ... learned this in grade 3 LOL Still finding myself singing ‘the black fly... the little black fly’ 😂

I live now in Southeastern Ontario, but grew up in NS. Playing softball as a kid, If the ball went into the alder brush the batter automatically got a home run cause no one was dumb enough to go after it! The blackfies were bad enough on the field; you were a goner if you went into the brush!

This was broadcasted on Cartoon Network's O Canada ! on Sunday nights frequently when I was a kid ! This takes me back.

This used to be a “filler” in between kids shows instead of a commercial. I remember seeing it on tv in the early 2000’s

This was on Cartoon Network, maybe adult swim even, back in the early 2000s. As a child, this made me think Canada was infested with killer flies lmfaooo

when i was little, i was terrified of the skeleton at the end he gave nightmares lol

I learned this tune early in the 60's in Los Angeles. Moved "back east" 1974. Attended a folk club's sing-around; spent two minutes explaining everything I did not know about this unimaginably rare folk song; started in. When I hesitated slightly before the chorus, they all started in without me...... A prized memory to this day. Still sing it, of course. Introduce it as "the Adirondack, Ontario, New England National Bird."

In a blackfly season you *know it,* there's so many of them for no reason and it's a NIGHTMARE. Like literal black clouds of them.

I grew up in the community that this song is about. The result of the surveying created 7 dams and a tiny village called Abitibi Canyon.

This song really isn't the same without the backup singers, foley work and extra instruments. It's what plays in our heads as we sing it to ourselves. And of course, the wonderful animation, with references to Larson's "The Far Side" scattered about.

Put this back on TV please.

As Canadian as beavers or maple leaves. Neat animation, neat song...Just neat.

Born and raised in Northern Ontario. Everything in this video is true! My father worked at the Little Abitibi power station when he was a young man. I know this song tells it like it is!

Why so little views after all the years? This song is great!

I lived in Abitibi Canyon for 17 years, and every word of that song is true!

Nice cartoon and song👍👍👍 I like Canada🇨🇦 greetings from Russia

The McGarrigle sisters! Learn something new every day.

People will be singing this for a thousand years.

25 years ago my music class sung this with gusto was our fav song we sung it over and over again

I remember the first day I ever saw this, I must have been 6 or 7 and was amazed no one else I knew heard the song. I love singing it in the summer xD

This song is straight fire bro

In A Violent Nature has a cover of this in the credits. Instantly reminded me of this video from my childhood

This song is brilliant and the animation is fantastic! I revisit this every year during blackfly season! They always seem their worst when I am trying to plant a garden and I have been chased right into the house running, jumping, dancing and flailing my arms about! It is accurate!

Lyrical genius and sublime instrumentation. None of the many tribute recordings come close.

When I first saw this video back in grade four, I was disturbed.

When I was a child in the early 2000s this came on the T.v and we used to sing it all the time were from Manitoba Canada and I still sing it today didn’t know it was on RU-vid.... Canada!!!

Loved the blackfly getting after the NFB logo at the beginning of the film! It sets the tone for this lovely little movie!

They used to play this every morning before the start of ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) summer camp. At the time I was pretty annoyed hearing it every day, but now this brings back nostalgic feelings and memories every time I watch it. Anyone else have the same experience?

Having lived in the north Ontario logging camps from birth to 5 yrs of age, I well knew of these little evil bugs lol.. I still know them well here in the boonies of Ontario... a friend of mine would play guitar and sing this song every Blackfly season.. entertaining!

Lol. "I'll die with the black flies picking my bones." 😂😂😂

Saw this on Danish TV ages ago, I remember it scared the shit out of me. Really classic tune though.

Thanks again to NFB and the wonderful Canadian artists.

We get them bad in NB too. I moved 4000kms west to AB to get away from them lol. I've tried to explain to people who have never been back east what an absolute scourge blackflies are, and the best I can do is call up this animation. It is painfully true to life.

A friend showed me this song several years ago and I’m eternally grateful. Thanks, Alec.

I missed this film.

I also have memories of this from my childhood. What an age we lie in, eh ?

Mom was having some trouble with the black flies when she was mowing the lawn today. Decided to show her this, and it got a big laugh!

Nostalgia! I haven't seen this in years. It has always been one of my favourites. :) -born in '78.

Great Stuff - he was one of the guys I used to listen to on Old Rawhide, on CBC then one day Old Rawhide played one of my songs... but I owed a lot to Hemsworth and artists like him. From Alec Somerville, who wrote all the lyrics for the Brothers-in-Law albums. Now almost 88 and pickin' and singin' in Ireland.

Memories....born in 88 east coast canada. Love it

I worked one summer in the northern woods of Pickle Lake, Ontario (near Sioux Lookout). The black flies were definitely trying to pick at my bones.....in North Ontar I O I O!

This song is so great. My parasitology professor shared it. I'm surprised there aren't millions of views!!!!!!!!!

How is it that as a 46 year old Ontarian, this is the first time I have ever seen or heard of this one?

Oh-yeah, oh-yeah, oh-yeah…. Grew up in Tunder Bay, lots o’ black-flies fer sure eh!!! Keep on truckin’ 🇨🇦

Love Folk Songs Especially Canadian Folk Songs This Song Is Catchy As Hell Gonna Be Listening To This On Repeat For Awhile !!

Jesus christ this song is old. I remember seeing it on TV as a kid haha

4:35 Hmmm, a tap-dancing skeleton. Don't see that everyday. I wish Cartoon Network had kept their O Canada Block on. I saw this for the first time in '97 on that channel. We don't get cool stuff from Canada that often here in the states.

This song has been stuck in my head for years and I never knew from where. I STILL don't. I'm American and none of the channels I watched as a kid would show something like this. But, glad I had the epiphany to finally look it up while humming the song. Maybe now it can finally rest.

We have these in Northern Quebec too! Spent summers there and had scarred legs by the end from black fly bites and mosquito bites! Oh yes, and let's not forget the deer flies and horse flies!

In this year are 70 years old of this song, I love this song, thanks for this NFB, you are wonderful!, excellent day.

One of our great cultural iconic films! It is indeed all true! :o) I sing this song on my summer canoe trips in north Ontar-ri-oh (and elsewhere in northern Canada) - never gets old!

I live in the upper peninsula of Michigan and we too get clouds of them. When you start to eat them,as they eat you, it’s time to head inside!

Sung this song in choir back in the 70's...

Thanks for uploading. I used to see this along with The Log Driver's Waltz on CBC all the time when I was I kid. Good memories.

Born and raised in Northern Ontario, them flies will pick ye bones clean

Twas early in the spring when I decide to go For to work up in the woods in North Ontar-i-o; And the unemployment office said they'd send me through To the Little Abitibi with the survey crew And the black flies, the little black flies, Always the black fly no matter where you go; I'll die with the black fly a-pickin' my bones, In North Ontar-i-o-i-o, in North Ontar-i-o. And the man Black Tobey was the captain of the crew And he said, I'm gonna tell you boys, what we're gonna do: They want to build a power dam; we must find a way For to make the Little Ab flow around the other way With the black flies, the little black flies, Always the black fly no matter where you go; I'll die with the black fly a-pickin' my bones, In North Ontar-i-o-i-o, in North Ontar-i-o. So we survey to the east, survey to the west, Couldn't make our minds up how to do it best; Little Ab, Little Ab, what shall I do? I'm all but goin' crazy with the survey crew And the black flies, the little black flies, Always the black fly no matter where you go; I'll die with the black fly a-pickin' my bones, In North Ontar-i-o-i-o, in North Ontar-i-o. It was blackfly, blackfly, everywhere, A-crawlin' in your whiskers, crawlin' in your hair; Swimmin' in the soup, swimmin' in the tea, And the devil take the blackfly, let me be. Black flies, the little black flies, Always the black fly no matter where you go; I'll die with the black fly a-pickin' my bones, In North Ontar-i-o-i-o, in North Ontar-i-o. Black Tobey fell to swearin'; the work went slow, The state of our morale was a-gettin' pretty low; The flies swarmed heavy; hard to catch your breath, As you staggered up and down the trail a-talkin' to yourself With the black flies, the little black flies, Always the black fly no matter where you go; I'll die with the black fly a-pickin' my bones, In North Ontar-i-o-i-o, in North Ontar-i-o. Well now, the bull cook's name was Blind River Joe, If it hadn't been for him we'd 've never pulled through; 'Cause he bound up our bruises and he kidded us for fun, And he lathered us with bacon grease and balsam gum. And the black flies, the little black flies, Always the black fly no matter where you go; I'll die with the black fly a-pickin' my bones, In North Ontar-i-o-i-o, in North Ontar-i-o. And at last the job was over; Black Tobey said we're through With the Little Abitibi and the survey crew! 'Twas a wonderful experience and this I know: I'll never go again to North Ontar-i-o With the black flies, the little black flies, Always the black fly no matter where you go; I'll die with the black fly a-pickin' my bones, In North Ontar-i-o-i-o, in North Ontar-i-o. And the black flies, the little black flies, Always the black fly no matter where you go; I'll die with the black fly a-pickin' my bones, In North Ontar-i-o-i-o, in North Ontar-i-o. ####.... Wade Hemsworth ....#### Recorded by Wade Hemsworth (Folk Songs Of The Canadian North Woods, trk#12, ©1955 Folkways Records & Service Corp., New York, NY, FW 6821, Library of Congress Catalogue Card No. R 55-370). Also recorded by Wade Hemsworth as Blackfly Song (The Songs Of Wade Hemsworth, trk#3, 1995, CD produced by Penny Rose and edited by Simon Pressey for Good Noise). See more songs by Wade Hemsworth. Liner notes: Anyone who spends a summer in the northern bush country will sympathize with the sentiment Wade Hemsworth has expressed in this song, which tells the tribulations of a survey trip on the Little Abitibi, a tributary of the more famous Abitibi River which flows into James Bay. Wade says: "We were on a survey for the Ontario Hydro Electric Commission when this song was born. The flies affected some of the boys so badly that they had to stop work 'til the swelling of their faces subsided so that they could see. Incidentally, Tobey Colpitts, who is the 'Black Tobay' of the song is still surveying for the Ontario Hydro [1955]. GEST Songs of Newfoundland and Labrador

I spend a night after discovering this shorts 😂😂😂 these are amazing, if only todays tvs were so good.

I have never been able to get enough of this song!! Watching it in autumn/winter in Onterrible is always a good reminder to enjoy it!

Brilliant animation and very clever lyrics! And so true! Especially up in northern BC!

This aired on KCTS9 as part of a kids block when i was kid. I looked for the longest time. So happy i found this!!!!

I remember being in grade 2 (I think) and we learned this and a bunch of other Canadian folk songs and the line "I'll die with the blackfly picking my bones" scared the shit out of me because I took it too literally lmao

man that is a badass fiddle.

I can't even finish this video. Getting twitchy watching cartoon blackflies!

you learn something every day! great song too.

I watch this every year to remind me of my heritage, lol. Now I live in SoCal!

0:40 skip to song. For people like me who will listen 10 times in a row 😍

What a wonderful animations from Canada. So powerful !

I was just standing by the Abi-tibi dam. Fine work fellas. I miss Iroquois Falls already.

All I can ask is: WHY? Why go there? And all I can say is what a charming video! And convincing...No plans to go to North Ontario....ever.

I watched this on tape when I was a sprout. They had it at the local library.

1:18. the moose is on the survey crew. lol

Brings up memories of treeplanting in 2001 in Algoma District. Dear god, those apocalyptic motherf*ckers attacked in hordes. And it was a dry year, so apparently they weren't even that bad! Well, I only treeplanted once. Never, ever again. The job was so absurd in so many ways that blackflies were only one of the reasons, and not even the biggest, that I never went back.

Man, I haven't seen this since it was on an episode of O'Canada on CN must have been either 97 or 98.

Would really like a metal cover of this songs, I don't know but the chorus is so powerfull and the song itself too

I love it! Now I'll have that song stuck in my head wherever I go, pickin' my bones...

Something about this song struck a nerve. Always seemed eerie to me

I used to watch this animated short at a TV show back in México along with several of Norman McLaren and Richard Condie's works and loved them. Sadly most torontonians I know have no clue about this song.

I love how this looks like something I would draw lol

When you're bicycling around town -- remember to keep your mouth closed...

Thanks for uploading this!

Always will love this one and I sure know what he means! Brilliant song and animation!!!

thanks for uploading this :)

Fantastic! I love this so much.