"She's Like the Swallow" is a Canadian tune which originated in the coast of eastern Canada. There are English variations, but the tune may have originated in Newfoundland. It is a distinctive Newfoundland variant of a large family of songs about unhappy love. Both Maud Karpeles (1930) and Kenneth Peacock (1960) collected it and its beautiful tune has made it popular with many singers and choirs. The symbolism of the swallow could mean a number of things. Traditionally, sailors would tattoo themselves with the image of a swallow because it was a symbol of how experienced they were on the high seas. The more swallow tattoos one had (usually placed on the hands, neck or chest), the more successful voyages they had been on. Also, if a sailor were to drown, it was thought that the swallow would then carry his soul to heaven. The swallow is also used to represent affection and care for friends and loved ones and shows the loyalty of a person to always return to them. The swallow simile seems to be found only in Newfoundland, but the other verses turn up in various British love laments such as "Died for Love" and "Must I Go Bound". Karpeles included it in Folk Songs from Newfoundland (London 1971). It was also printed in Fowke's The Penguin Book of Canada Folk Songs It has been recorded by various singers and choirs.