Acadian Driftwood

Album: Northern Lights - Southern Cross (1975)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Acadia was a North American colony started by France in 1604. "Acadian Driftwood" is about the Expulsion of the Acadians, which involved Britain forcing the deportation of more than 11,000 Acadians during the French and Indian War. Known as the "Acadian Migration," the story is one that intrigued group leader Robbie Robertson, who wrote the song.
  • This is the only track on the Northern Lights - Southern Cross album to use an outside musician: fiddle player Byron Berline.
  • The Band used all three of their lead vocalists on this track: Levon Helm, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko.

Comments: 1

  • Charlie from MarylandThis song is simply stunning. Perfect bookend to "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." The Band share leads like no other group I've heard.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.