| Birth Date: | September 7, 1913 |
| Birth Place: | Lachine, Quebec, Canada |
| Birth Name: | Albert Miller |
| Death Place: | in Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Occupation: | folksinger, writer, and actor |
| Known For: | I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly |
Alan Mills (born Albert Miller; September 7, 1912 or 1913 – June 14, 1977)[1] was a Canadian folksinger,[2] writer, and actor. He was best known for popularizing Canadian folk music,[3] [4] 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.
As a young man, Mills worked as a newspaperman. He left this work in about 1940 and took a job in radio.[5] 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.[6] [7] His first album, Let's Sing a Little, was released by RCA Victor.[8] He composed the classic folk song I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly (with lyrics by Rose Bonne)[9] [10] 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.[11] His recordings of authentic traditional music were reviewed by Oscar Brand in the Saturday Review of Music,[12] and included in a number of folk music compilation albums.[13]
Mills was signed to take part in tour of the United States in 1960,[14] and that year performed at the Newport Folk Festival.[15]
He was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1974 for his contributions to Canadian folklore.[16] Mills has also released several albums on Folkways Records of Canadian and French folk songs.
| 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[17] | Folkways Records | |
| 1953 | French Folk Songs for Children | Folkways Records | |
| 1952 | Folk Songs of French Canada | Folkways Records |