Canadian disaster songs: research project

Subject: Lyr Add: EL NINO (Paul Henry Dallaire)
From: GUEST,Paul Henry Dallaire
Date: 12 Feb 09 - 04:51 PM

I was conversing with a gentleman after the ice storm and he told me he was on business in Texas when the storm hit and then commented that he missed the whole damn thing and wished he could have been here to witness the beauty of it. I thought a good way to start the song.

EL NINO
(Paul Henry Dallaire)

In the southern part of Texas there's news on the radio
"Bout an ice storm devastating Quebec and Ontario
It hit without much warnin and it put on quite a show
It beat all I ever saw like the Northern Lights aglow

Now the cows ain't got no water and the chicken's 'runnin round
The pumps that fed the pigs are dry cause the hydro poles are down
And the houses there all empty they've gone and locked the doors
The bus has come to take them to sleep on the school house floor

EL NINO EL NINO

It froze right down to China up to the pearly gates
The Yankees sent their linemen from the New York State
Now for eighteen days that winter will live in memory
Cause for eighteen days we fought the God El Nino from the sea

Now here's to the troops in khakis give'em credit where it's due
They got a raw deal in Somalia and we got half the truth
And I may not remember my last computer date
But I won't forget the ice storm of nineteen ninety eight

Now spring has sprung and it come to past the war of ice and snow
And all that's left are the trees that died which line the country road

Paul Henry Dallaire
Paul Henry Pub, SOCAN

Subject: Death at the Belmoral mine / Val D'or P.Q.1980
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Feb 09 - 04:33 PM

The Disc jockey at the Maple Leaf Ranch radio show in Germany was heard to say if Paul Henry Dallaire wouldn't have written this song the disaster would have been forgotten in time.
How true cause before I sent you this song I checked Google about the accident at the mine and there was nuthin mentioned. This song can be heard on www.youtube.com

MEN OF NO TOMORROWS
(Paul Henry Dallaire)

T'was Tuesday the twentieth of May
Nineteen eighty was the year
The miners of Belmoral gold mine
That morning went down with their gear

Their work place a dark damp burrough
Where only the brave dare to try
Like the sun never shines in a hollow
Down there it's as black as the night

The officials claimed it was inspected
Tho no one seemed to know when
Gold stock was high on the market
So they gambled the lives of their men

They spoke of the grave situation
And felt the earth tremble and quake
The new road was under construction
To drill was a fatal mistake

Some say they heard an explosion
Some said they really don't know
The fact is it's too late to reason
For the eight men entombed there below

On Tuesday May twenty seventh
A cry was heard it was said
The rescue attempt was doubled
In a frenzy to dig for their friends

They tried but in vain for to reach them
For the slime kept pourring inside
Two weeks in that cold dark dungeon
They all were doomed there to die

Now mothers and fathers and relations
Will grieve for the rest of their lives
For the miners on shift on descended
In the depth of the Belmoral mine


Paul Henry Dallaire
Paul Henry Pub. SOCAN

U.S.Rep: ASCAP

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: GUEST,Paul Henry Dallaire
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 11:56 AM

Another disaster song at www.poemhunters.com by Paul Henry Dallaire about the great fire of 1911 in that wiped out the area in Porcupine Ontario Canada then Called Golden City now is called Timmins the home town of Shania Twain and Paul henry Dallaire. Many lives were lost and many prospectors perished.
The song has been recorded and may be heard soon also Men Of No Tomorrows may be heard there also. El Nino is for sale at e-bay from the c.d. America Bleeds
www.johnnycashsong.com
My e-mail address is [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: GUEST,Paul Henry Dallaire
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 11:41 AM

Also at wwwpoemhunters.com there's an song about the 1998 Ice Storm by Paul Henry Dallaire It's Called "El Nino"

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: GUEST,Paul Henry Dallaire
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 11:30 AM

There is a song at www.poemhunter.com by Paul henry Dallairecalled "Men Of No Tomorrows" about the mining disaster at Belmoral mine in Val D'Or Quebec in 1980

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: Beer
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 08:14 PM

How in the heck did the above(Subject: shoe pouch for ipod sport)
got on this thread???

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: r.padgett
Date: 22 Jul 08 - 12:54 PM

What about Doerflinger's collection of "Shanty men and Shantyboys?"

is there nothing apt in there?

Ray

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BRIDGE CAME TUMBLIN' DOWN (Connors)
From: topical tom
Date: 20 Jun 08 - 08:45 PM

Here is Stompin' Tom Connors' version of a 1958 disaster:

http://www.sweetslyrics.com/512263.Stompin'%20Tom%20Connors%20-%20Bridge%20Came%20Tumbling%20Down.html

(And the) BRIDGE CAME TUMBLIN' DOWN
(recorded by Stompin' Tom Connors)

Nineteen scarlet roses the chaplain spread around
In the waters of Burrard Inlet in old Vancouver town
When the bridge came tumblin' down
When the bridge came tumblin' down

Nineteen men were drowned in June of 1958
In old Vancouver town
There were seventy-nine men working
To build this brand new bridge
To span the Second Narrows
And connect up with the ridge
Till a big wind hit the bridge
And the bridge came tumblin' down

And nineteen men were drowned
The medical corps couldn't be too sure of the rest of the men they found
In among the twisted girders one man realized
How last night he'd been dreaming and saw before his eyes
The big wind on the rise
And the bridge came tumblin' down
And nineteen steel men drowned, and he saw the fright of the darkest night
In old Vancouver town

With frogmen in the water by the cutting torches glow
They fought to save the steel men
From certain death below and pain we'll never know
When the bridge came tumblin' down
And nineteen men were drowned, and sixty more that came ashore
So thankful they were found

It often makes you wonder
In strength who has the edge
The longest steel beam structure
That spans the highest ridge
Or the men that built the bridge
For the bridge came tumblin' down
And nineteen men were drowned
But the other men came back again
To lay the new beams down

Now if you're ever crossing
This mighty bridge sublime
And nineteen scarlet roses pass before your mind
Remember and be kind
The bridge came tumblin' down
And nineteen men were drowned
So you could ride to the other side
Of old Vancouver town

So you could ride to the other side
Of old Vancouver town

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: topical tom
Date: 20 Jun 08 - 08:10 PM

The Encyclopedia of Music in Canada has a partial list of Canadian disaster songs.

                     Here

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: Beer
Date: 18 Jun 08 - 05:46 PM

At our festival last year I asked Ron Hynes which song he felt was his most accomplished song he ever wrote. I thought he was going to say "Sonny's Dream", but no, it was "Atlantic Blue" which is about the Ocean Ranger. I also see that he has made the same comment in his song book. "I consider it my best work".
If by chance you have never heard this song go to You Tube.

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: GUEST,bill
Date: 18 Jun 08 - 02:39 PM

Great conversation/thread! I think Murray McLaughlin also wrote & performed a song about the Ocean Ranger disaster, though I can't recall the title.

I have just recently completed a song about the sinking of the sealing boat, L'Acadien, that occurred this spring.

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: meself
Date: 17 Jun 08 - 10:56 PM

Stompin' Tom wrote and recorded a song about that disaster - they played it on As It Happens this evening.

There was mention of the Ocean Ranger above. The late Newfoundland singer/songwriter and harmonica-player Reg Watkins recorded a heart-breaking song on that sad subject. I'll dig up more details if you want.

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: Beer
Date: 17 Jun 08 - 10:46 PM

Norm,
I suggest that if you don't get your answer on this thread that you start one asking the same question. But give this one a run first.

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: GUEST,Norm
Date: 17 Jun 08 - 10:42 PM

there is one song   and I cannot remember all the words to it   but it is a song about the steelmen working on the 2nd narrows bridge when it collapased it was Called STEELMAN    and the first line is
Steelman working on that bridge of steel   steel man and on the fateful day I cannot remember the rest of it or who sang it .
If you find out could you please tell me   thank you

Norm

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: Beer
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 12:43 PM

Than that is a date you certainly wouldn't forget. Good for you. I apologize.

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 11:52 AM

"Great great song and very tragic. Mentioned above on the first thread."

I realise that, I was merely correcting the date of the disater..it was listed on the posting as 1st November 1975, where as it was 10th November, which happens to be my Dad's birthday as well.

Charlotte (the view from Ma and Pa's piano stool)

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 11:10 AM

"Does Margaret Trudeau qualify?"

yes *LOL*

Charlotte (coffee and humour on a Saturday morning)

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: topical tom
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 10:27 AM

There is a song about a boat burning down in Whitehorse, Yukon, I think, but I cannot for the life of me remember the title or who sang it(perhaps the lead singer of Stringband ,Bob Bossin?)Or were there two boats? Rats, my memory is failing me! Does anyone know the song?

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: Beer
Date: 14 Mar 08 - 03:42 PM

Great great song and very tragic. Mentioned above on the first thread.

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 14 Mar 08 - 02:35 PM

"Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" Gordon Lightfoot [The ship sank in Lake Superior on November 1, 1975]

SS Edmund Fitzgerald (nicknamed "Mighty Fitz", "The Fitz" or "The Big Fitz") was a lake freighter that sank suddenly during a gale storm on Lake Superior on November 10, 1975.

Charlotte (was 4 years old at the time)

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: Santa
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 09:15 AM

The Angel of Long Point, By Joe Grant and Steve Ritchie, of Tanglefoot? Dealing with the wreck of the Conductor, I assume it is based on a true story.

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs: research project
From: GUEST,harold macdonald
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 11:00 PM

I am looking for the words to "Springhill mine Explosion by Jack Kingston. Or, any songs relating to the 1956 mine explosion.

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 06:56 PM

There were at least two other Sprinhill mine disasters; both have songs associated with them.
Check out LA COMPLAINTE DE SPRINGHILL
and      SPRINGHILL MINE DISASTER (1891)

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 07:39 PM

Marion asked whether one death was enough. I would like all songs. We may have to sort them out later.
Perhaps it is helpful if I mention that one definition of a disaster is an event that causes or threatens to cause harm. The train derailment that led to the evacuation of Mississauga Ontario was a disaster even though there were no deaths.
Joe Scanlon

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: GUEST,Joe Scanlon
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 07:37 PM

I am delighted by the material that keeps coming and coming.
The song on the Montreal massacre intrigued me.
What is generally not known is that it was the third mass killing in a Canadian education institution.
The first was at Centennial in Brampton.
The second was at Pius X in Ottawa. The boy who did the shooting started by torturing and killing a young woman then shot up the school.
Those incidents preceded similar incidents in the United States.
Joe Scanlon

Some of you might be interested to know that while doing research on the 1917 Halifax explosion I decided to compare six fictional accounts to what actually happened. The results were published in a Canadian academic journal which can be found in most university libraries.

Scanlon, Joseph (1999) "Myths of Male and Military Superiority: Fictional Accounts of the 1917 Halifax Explosion" English Studies in Canada Vol. 24 pp. 1001-1025

The fiction tends to downplay the role of women and play up the role of the military. In fact the explosion occurred at 9:04:35 a.m. on a weekday morning when men were at war or at work and school age children were at or on their way to school. Those at home in the North end were women, pre school children and the elderly. The initial rescue work was therefor done by woman. The explosion caused damage, death and injury to soldiers at the Armouries and substantial damage, death and injuries to soldiers and their families at the Wellington Barracks. The military therefore had to deal with its own problems in the initial stages.
At first glance it appears that the songs tend to be more accurate than fiction -- but that is what we will test.

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: CeltArctic
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 11:18 AM

Woops, that should say Wyrd Sisters, not Wyds.

Subject: Lyr Add: THIS MEMORY (Wyrd Sisters)
From: CeltArctic
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 11:17 AM

I just remembered another good one. The Wyrd Sisters - "This Memory" - about the Montreal Massacre.


THIS MEMORY
(as recorded by the Wyrd Sisters)

Early that morning, cup of coffee in her hand,
Kissed her mother on the cheek, said, "I'm more busy than I'd planned.
I'll be coming home a bit late; would you keep the supper warm?"
Oh, it's just another busy day.

Early that morning, getting ready by the door,
Kissed her lover on the cheek, said, "I'll be coming back for more.
Oh, how I love you! We've got so much to live for.
Oh, and I'll be coming home real soon."

And it could have been me just as easily.
Could have been my sister (lover) left there to bleed.
Oh, it could have been my brother or my father done the deed.
Oh, no! Don't let me lose this memory.

Later on that evening I turned on my TV
Listen as they're talking about the news of a shooting spree.
Fourteen young women shot dead in Montreal.
Oh, it's a-killing of us all. Yes it's a-killing of us all.

And it could have been me just as easily.
Could have been my sister (lover) left there to bleed.
Oh, it could have been my brother or my father done the deed.
Oh, no! Don't let me lose this memory.

And it could have been you just as easily.
Could have been your sister (lover) left there to bleed.
Oh, it could have been your brother or your father done the deed.
Oh, no! Don't let us lose this memory.

Moira

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 02:25 AM

Wreck of the Green Cove
The Oda G.
Wreck of the C.P. Yorke
(all three tugboat songs from the west coast by Stanley G. Triggs, the first two fictional, the second fact)

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 10:26 PM

Don't know if it qualifies, being man-made, but Montreal, December '89 definitely was a Canadian disaster, even though the song was written by an Australian, Judy Small.

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From:
Date: 23 Jun 06 - 07:20 PM

The Ocean Ranger certainly figures prominently as one of Canada's songworthy disasters, for sure.

My friend Kevin Firth, a singer songwriter originally from Manchester UK, worked as a diver recovering remains, personal effects, etc. from the Ocean Ranger. He has written a very compelling song about the tragedy that probably can't be touched by the average armchair historical bard. He recorded it on a CD project a few years back. Some of his crewmates also died in the salvage operation.

I will hunt down the CD and post lyric / link if interested.

Michael Burton
Singer-Songwriter-Boatbuilder
Prince Rupert, BC
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: Greg B
Date: 23 Jun 06 - 06:48 PM

Does Margaret Trudeau qualify?

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: Beer
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 08:12 PM

Thanks Bobad.
I did it two years ago when the throat was in shape at our festival.
Beer

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: bobad
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 07:51 PM

Your song brings back memories Adrien, I'd like to hear it sometime.

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: GEST
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 07:18 PM

And there's also Sad Day In Gander, by Eric Waterman, about the worst air disaster on Canadian soil.

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From:
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 07:04 PM

There's Frobisher Bay by James Gordon.^^

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 04:42 PM

Or Frozen Charlotte.
Beer

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: Marion
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 04:20 PM

Hi Joe, and thanks for coming back to check these. I think a little more clarification about what a Canadian disaster song is would be helpful. For example - if you're not collecting songs about disasters caused by war or crime - wouldn't that rule out the September 11 songs (and anything that might be found about the Air India flight, also)?

And what sort of body count are we talking? There are logging songs that talk about accidents causing single deaths, like "Jam on Jerry's Rock" (above), or "Peter Amberley". Do you want titles for those?

Marion

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 01:50 PM

This is great stuff and I appreciate it.
I am keeping an eye on the postings and I will send emails to those who are helping.
At the moment I am in Oslo so please excuse me for not reacting faster.
Joe Scanlon

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 12:47 PM

Thanks, Peter. I'll pass on your warning of the coming Doomsday.

That list posted by Marion seems odd to me. Too many songs printed in major Canadian collections are absent.

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: Peter T.
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 07:58 AM

"Stephen Harper is a fake,
Doodah, doodah,
Has the eyes of a cobra snake,
Oh, doodah day!
Gwine to run all day,
Canada to betray,
Oh, he'll give the country to the money men,
Oh, doodah day."

Canadian disaster song.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE STORM OF 98 (Adrien Doucette)
From: Beer
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 06:45 AM

Here is one I wrote in the spring of 1998. It was a disaster of sorts. Melody has a bluegrass tempo.
Beer


THE STORM OF 98
(Adrien Doucette)

In the year of 98 when folks were sleeping and would not wake.
The Ice storm came at our front gate and would not go away.
Well people in the morning would not believe,
When they woke up to the bent down trees.
The lights were out there was no heat.
Yet the children played.

Now the news man said, don't be late,
Gather up candles at the market place.
It's not to late if you want some heat,
But the stores will be empty soon.
I couldn't believe when I ventured there,
Candles, batteries the shelves were bare.
Said " My God", what am I gonna do.

Yet the children played, as we prayed.
Yes they played, as we prayed.

Two, four, six more days, still no heat but yet we prayed.
Branches, trees, all broke down.
Streets of the city was a big ghost town.
Hydro lines and telephone poles.
"Oh my God but how it's cold".
Generators breaking down,
Yet the children played.

Chorus

Help came from far and wide,
Without their aid we'd not survive.
Death came it was not surprise,
To the old, weak, and lame.
My neighbor who at 85,
Lost his love yet he survived, ( strum, but a pause. No words. As if thinking.)
Yet the children played.

Red Lake and the Sagunay, How they suffered yet they came.
Newfoundland to Halifax, P.E.I. did their best.
Friends to the South and the great out West,
Jumped in their trucks and shared our stress.
The army left their babes asleep,
Yet the children played.

Oh yes they played,
As we prayed.
In the storm of 98.

Adrien Doucette
1998

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: Slag
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 03:03 AM

Sung to the tune, "God Save the King"

(Stimpy)
Our country reeks of trees
Our yaks are really large
And they smell like rotting beef carcuses

And we have to clean up after them
And our sadle sores are the best
We proudly wear women's clothing
And searing sand blows up our skirts

(Ren joins in with Stimpy)
And the buzzards, they soar overhead
And poisonous snakes will devour us whole
And our bones will bleach in the sun

(Stimpy)
That's it!

(Ren & Stimpy)
And we'll probably go to phbbbbtlb
And that is our great reward
For being the
Ro-oy-oy-al
Canadian Kilted Yaksmen!

(Stimpy)
C'mon everybody

(everyone)
Repeats one more time.

by Nickleodeon

Now if that isn't a Canadian disaster, I'll never know what one is!

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: CeltArctic
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 01:22 PM

Does anyone know if anyone wrote a song about the Air India flight? There's a big news Canadian disaster - one that never seems to leave the news.

Moira

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: breezy
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 12:28 PM

Jeannie C was written for the fishermen of Dover N S

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: GUEST,thurg
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 11:15 AM

Definitely about "the mad trapper of Rat River", and I think accurate, as far as it goes, although of course it leaves out many interesting and curious details, including the involvement in the hunt of the legendary bush pilot "Wop" May.

Marion - Your friend Scanlon should start off with the easy and obvious sources, such as Edith Fowke's Penguin Book of Canadian Folk Songs, and Helen Creighton's various publications. Many of the songs mentioned so far have been published along with summaries of the research into historical verity.

I would recommend that he contact a bona fide folklorist or two (or is that what's he's done in contacting you?) Could save himself a lot of work.

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 10:55 AM

"The Springhill Mine Disaster" (Maurice Ruddick, Bill Clifton, Paul Clayton and one other author) was recorded by Bill Clifton and His Bluegrass Boys and released within weeks of the disaster. Google Neil Rosenberg and "Springhill Mine Disaster" for a story on this.

Bob

Subject: Lyr Add: CAPTURE OF ALBERT JOHNSON (Wilf Carter)
From: HiHo_Silver
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 10:12 AM

Song from Northern Canada. About a trapper in I believe Rat River.
Pretty factual:

CAPTURE OF ALBERT JOHNSON
^^ As recorded by Montana Slim (Wilf Carter)

There in that far-north country lived a trapper thought insane.
Some of his redskin neighbors to the pólice sent a complaint.

Two redcoats of the Mounties, who are known for their fame,
Went north to find the trouble. On this trapper was put the blame.

They journeyed out to his cabin. No harm was meant, you know.
But the trapper with his six-gun, he laid a Mountie low.

'Twas then that the trouble started, and as the story goes forth,
It was the greatest manhunt in the hist'ry of the north.

For weeks and weeks they trailed him through the snow and the bitter cold,
And the hardships that he endured we folks will never know.

Once when they had him surrounded while trailing him through the snow,
He laid another deadly shot, laid another Mountie low.

Still on and on they trailed him. This trapper he knew his game.
He'd backtrack on his trailers, this man they thought insane.

Now the chances of his escape for the trapper they were too slim.
They hunted him by day. They hunted him by night. This manhunt they must win.

Then just in the evening twilight, he was climbing up a hill.
This trapper sighted his trailers, aimed another shot to kill.

Down deep in the snow for shelter, the bullets were flying low.
He aimed another deadly shot, laid another Mountie low.

The rest of them heard the shooting. They quickly joined the lead;
And under a hail of bullets his riddled body dropped dead.

Now the greatest of the manhunts are [sic] ended in the history of that northern land,
But we'll give credit to the Mountie. They always get their man.

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: JohnB
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 10:10 AM

"he said the disaster should include Canadians as victims or rescuers (hence the inclusion of Titanic "
While you are on that subject don't forget Les Barkers "Have you got any news of the Iceberg" telling the Titanic story from a polar bears point of view.
JohnB.

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: Willie-O
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 08:11 AM

Re: Lanark Fire, Mac Beattie

From Lanark Highlands Township website(http://www.lanarkhighlands.ca/About/History.htm):

"1959 - A catastrophic fire in the Village destroyed 43 buildings (including the Town Hall, the Library, Memorial Clock and Legion Hall), leaving more than 100 people homeless, and caused $1.5 million in damage. It is a commonly held view that the fire had a profound psychological impact on the spirit of the people of Lanark, causing a temporary depression."

I'll be going through Lanark village in half an hour or so, if I ever get off the pesky Internet. It has long since recovered from the physical damage of the fire--of course, there's a stretch of newer buildings in that part of town, a contrast with the old houses and stone structures that are prevalent in the rest of this early 19th century settlement village. There's always been a depressive streak there, in the 20 years I've been around here. It's a village that never quite entered the 20th century, and now it's too late. Long story encompassing a lot more than the effects of the 1959 fire. It's looking pretty now, though the economic/infrastructure problems are still present.

This is not one of Mac Beattie's better known numbers. He was a mid-20th century Ottawa Valley troubadour who played every kind of gig--bars, radio shows and concerts in the valley for over 40 years--writing songs about local places and events all the time. His straight-ahead style would generally stick to the facts and reference local characters and landmarks rather than wax poetic, so though I don't have the lyrics they are probably pretty accurate.   

I could take a look in the village library--I know Beattie's autobiography is there.

Bill Cameron

Subject: RE: Canadian disaster songs:research project
From: GUEST,Wayne
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 05:27 AM

The Ballad of Yarmouth Castle - Gordon Lightfoot
Marie Christine - Gordon Lightfoot
Rocks at Thieves Bay - Spirit of the West