Alan Mills

Alan Mills (born Albert Miller; September 7, 1912 or 1913 – June 14, 1977 ) was a Canadian folksinger, writer, and actor. He was best known for popularizing Canadian folk music, and for his original song, I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. He appeared on several radio and television programs and in movies.

Career As a young man, Mills worked as a newspaperman. He left this work in about 1940 and took a job in radio. He hosted a show for CBC radio on which he played Canadian folk music.

Mills began singing and recording traditional music from Canada, accompanying himself on guitar. His first album, Let's Sing a Little, was released by RCA Victor. He composed the classic folk song I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly (with lyrics by Rose Bonne) which was later recorded by Burl Ives, Peter Paul and Mary and many others. He published a book, The Alan Mills Book of Folk Songs and Ballads, in 1949. His recordings of authentic traditional music were reviewed by Oscar Brand in the Saturday Review of Music, and included in a number of folk music compilation albums.

Mills was signed to take part in tour of the United States in 1960, and that year performed at the Newport Folk Festival.

He was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1974 for his contributions to Canadian folklore. Mills also released several albums on Folkways Records of Canadian and French folk songs.

Discography

Release date Album title Label 1975 Soirée Québecoise du temps des fêtes Folkways Records 1972 14 Numbers, Letters, & Animal Songs (with Bram Morrison) Folkways Records 1962 Jewish Folk Songs (with Raasche) Folkways Records 1961 Alan Mills and Jean Carignan: Songs, Fiddle Tunes and a Folk-Tale from Canada Folkways Records 1961 Chantons en Francais, Vol. 2 Folkways Records 1961 Chantons en Francais, Vol. 1 Folkways Records 1960 Canada's Story in Song Folkways Records 1959 Songs of the Maritimes: Lumberman Songs and Songs of the Sea Folkways Records 1958 We'll Rant and We'll Roar: Songs of Newfoundland Folkways Records 1957 French Folk Songs for Children in English Folkways Records 1957 Christmas Songs from Many Lands Folkways Records 1957 Songs of the Sea: Sung by Alan Mills and the Four Shipmates Folkways Records 1956 Animals, Vol. 1 Folkways Records 1956 Chansons d'Acadie Folkways Records 1956 More Animals, Vol. 2 Folkways Records 1956 O' Canada: A History in Song Folkways Records 1955 Songs of French Canada (with Hélène Baillargeon) Folkways Records 1954 More Songs to Grow On Folkways Records 1953 Folk Songs of Newfoundland Folkways Records 1953 French Folk Songs for Children Folkways Records 1952 Folk Songs of French Canada Folkways Records n.d. "Chansons a Boire' [Venus VL 301]