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Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager

DigiTrad:
BARGES
CANOE PADDLE
EACH CAMPFIRE LIGHTS ANEW
GIRL SCOUTS TOGETHER
HERE WE ARE
I CAN SAIL
I LOVE THE DAFFODILS
MAKE NEW FRIENDS
OUR CHALET
PEACE I ASK OF THEE OH RIVER
RISE AND SHINE
TALL TIMBERS
WE ARE CALLED THE GIRL SCOUTS
WEAVE
WHEN E'RE YOU MAKE A PROMISE
WHO CAN SAIL


Related threads:
Lyr ADD: Once a Giant Came a-Wandering (15)
another girl scout tune about cabin by a stream (46)
(origins) Origin: Peace of the River (G Gosling, V Wood) (35)
(origins) Origin: Barges (Girl Scout song) (141)
Origins: On the Loose (camp song)-author/publisher (19)
(origins) Origins: Mr. Moon, Mr. Moon - Origins (5)
Old Girl Scout Songs (120)
Lyr Req: Suitors (O Le Le O Bahia) (trad. Brazil) (34)
Girl Scout songs - from the fading ditto sheets... (29)
Lyr ADD: I Want to Linger (camp song)^^^ (39)
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Lyr Req: Swinging Along (Gladys Jacobs) scout song (8)
The 'geriatric' girl scout (15)
Lyr Req: Tumba ta Tumba (25)
Lyr Req: Castles in Tovishka? (Toviska) (25)
(origins) Lyr Req: Who Can Sail/Vem kan segla (38)
Lyr Req: 'shiny water, spirit daughter of the sea' (7)
Lyr Req: the girl scout song Sailin' Away (20)
Lyr Req: Guess How I Feel (Sometimes) (16)
Lyr Req: Little Johnny England (19)
Lyr Req: Girl Scout witchcraft song (22)
Lyr Req: Baby Owlet (62)
Lyr ADD: Ging Gang Goolie (Robert Baden-Powell ??) (71)
Origins: Sarasponda (child's/Girl Scout song) (33)
(origins) Origins: folk song - Living in tents and cabins (6)
Lyr Req: The Green Cathedral (Johnstone, Hahn) (45)
Lyr Req: Ramblin' Man (Iowa Girl Scout song?) (3)
(origins) Origins: I am a rover, rolling along (The Rover) (16)
(origins) Origins: Walk With Me (Kanga's Song) (9)
Lyr Req: L-o-double l-i-p-o-p spells lollipop (27)
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Lyr Req: A Ram Sam Sam (Rolf Harris) (30)
Lyr Req: Adoreo? / Sarasponda (camp song) (11) (closed)
(origins) Origins: White Coral Bells/White Choral Bells (116)
info Lumi sticks (41)
Lyr Req: Atacatanuba / Okkitokkiunga (20)
Lyr Req: Girl Scout Blues (4)
Lyr Add: Falco Volava (Italian Scout song) (8)
Lyr Req: Spider's Web (Girl Scout song) (46)
LyrADD: I Love the Mountains/Daffodils/Flowers (12)
Lyr Req: The Birch Tree (Russian) (40)
(origins) Origin: Weave (Rosemary Crow) (32)
Girl Scouts singing grace (22)
(origins) Origins: & Lyr Req: 'River in my Heart'-camp song? (14)
Req:girl scout song-trees along black river/water (5)
Brownies, Scouts, Boys/Girls Brigade (35)
Lyr Req: Children of the wind - scouting (2)
Anybody remember 'Spider's Web' ? (10) (closed)
Lyr Add: Origins??? Scout Song Runboy (1)
BS: Help Girl Scouts stay inclusive of all! (76)
Help: Barges (2) (closed)
Req: Cowboy song - 'Web like a spider's web' (7) (closed)
(origins) Origin: Barges (9) (closed)


GUEST,# 09 Mar 21 - 06:19 PM
GUEST,Guest, LongJohn 08 Mar 21 - 12:42 AM
Joe Offer 23 Dec 20 - 03:25 AM
GUEST,Andy M. 22 Dec 20 - 03:52 PM
GUEST 28 Oct 20 - 03:10 AM
GUEST,LongJohn 28 Oct 20 - 02:42 AM
GUEST,Coke (Colleen Pike Holbrook) 15 Sep 20 - 08:52 PM
GUEST 04 Jan 20 - 05:47 PM
GUEST 02 Jun 18 - 01:42 AM
GUEST,LongJohn 24 Oct 17 - 02:33 AM
Joe Offer 23 Oct 17 - 02:54 AM
GUEST,GUEST,LongJohn 23 Oct 17 - 02:29 AM
GUEST,GUEST,LongJohn 23 Oct 17 - 01:59 AM
GUEST 17 Apr 17 - 01:53 AM
GUEST,Guest 31 Jul 14 - 12:12 AM
GUEST 05 Dec 12 - 10:02 PM
GUEST,RJ Lewis 27 Aug 12 - 11:38 AM
voyager 27 Jul 12 - 11:35 AM
GUEST,mg 26 Jul 12 - 02:51 PM
GUEST,Laura 26 Jul 12 - 02:31 PM
GUEST,Richard Flor 19 Jan 12 - 11:48 PM
GUEST,Loki-cf 04 Sep 11 - 09:25 PM
GUEST,mg 11 Jun 11 - 11:57 PM
GUEST,Christine 11 Jun 11 - 09:46 PM
GUEST,Bruce Guthrie 31 Jan 11 - 02:08 PM
GUEST,Teresa 21 Oct 10 - 01:08 PM
GUEST,kim 02 Sep 10 - 05:41 PM
GUEST,Paula C. 30 Aug 10 - 07:31 PM
GUEST,skeeter 14 Jul 10 - 11:55 PM
GUEST 27 Jun 10 - 09:53 PM
GUEST,Manito-wisher freak 24 Jun 10 - 06:53 PM
GUEST,Otookee 11 Jun 10 - 03:21 AM
GUEST 19 Oct 09 - 02:55 PM
GUEST,Sandy 06 Oct 09 - 07:56 PM
GUEST,Cat 15 Apr 09 - 08:57 PM
GUEST,Guest, Kim 21 Mar 09 - 10:20 AM
GUEST,Megan 28 Feb 09 - 07:04 PM
GUEST,M. Peters 31 Dec 08 - 12:22 PM
Desert Dancer 14 Dec 08 - 03:26 PM
GUEST,Menogynite 14 Dec 08 - 03:11 PM
Joe Offer 10 Nov 08 - 10:22 PM
GUEST 10 Nov 08 - 06:51 PM
Joe Offer 11 Oct 08 - 04:37 PM
GUEST,Ariel 11 Oct 08 - 11:10 AM
GUEST,JohnWhaley 08 Oct 08 - 10:28 PM
Q (Frank Staplin) 09 Sep 08 - 12:30 AM
GUEST,Skipper 08 Sep 08 - 11:45 PM
GUEST 13 Dec 07 - 11:58 PM
GUEST 02 Dec 07 - 09:24 PM
GUEST,Tyson 07 Nov 07 - 12:52 AM
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,#
Date: 09 Mar 21 - 06:19 PM

https://grogchc.homestead.com/c_song_lyrics.html

https://grogchc.homestead.com/c_song_lyrics.html


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Guest, LongJohn
Date: 08 Mar 21 - 12:42 AM

Looks like it was about 18 years ago that I heard Richard "Blackhawk" Kapusta sing a version of this song, which got me to digging in the web and led to my first post here.

This evening, while searching for something totally unrelated, a youtube of him singing an a capella take turned up. His version has evolved some, and he has re-cast it as 'Wisconsin Wilderness', but he has the melody exactly right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvh3mzG20Zw


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Dec 20 - 03:25 AM

Gee, Andy,
YMCA Camp Manitou is still going strong. I grew up in Racine, Wisconsin, and worked at a camp in the Kettle Moraine outside Milwaukee, but I never, ever even dreamed of going as far as New Auburn. Heck, I never even heard of it, although I did hear about nearby Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls - it seemed like they were suburbs of Minneapolis/St. Paul. I've lived in California since 1970 and distances now mean little to me - but when I was growing up, it was just too much to go all the way across Wisconsin to the Eau Claire area. I went to Eau Claire once, and that was enough. I've seen much more of Wisconsin since I moved away from it.
-Joe-


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Andy M.
Date: 22 Dec 20 - 03:52 PM

Hi Everyone ,

Wow, reading through this thread is like traveling through time a bit. I know of this song through my Mom who was a camper and later a camp counselor at Camp Manitou in New Auburn WI. I can't tell you how many times we have sang this haunting tune around the campfire.

I was transcribing this song as a gift to my Mom, and was looking for who originally wrote it. I will make sure to correct the tab to reflect Mary as the author. It looks like my version is very close to what John put down as the chords.

I hope this helps keep the song alive.

https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/misc-traditional/life-of-a-voyageur-chords-3474569

Best,

-Andy


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Oct 20 - 03:10 AM

Me again.

A renewed web search for this song turned up a few versions on YouTube:

Eli Marten, a Manito Wish camper posted https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu23BgovCjg

Franmoss9 and friend do an acapella version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWbgzv39mXQ

Julia Floberg does an up-tempo version with cello https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-OIe_Cakio

- John


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,LongJohn
Date: 28 Oct 20 - 02:42 AM

I recently learned that the author of this song passed away...

Mary Alice Satterfield Swanson, 78, passed away on May 9, 2020. Mary was born on November 14, 1941 in Madison, WI.

She is the composer of several songs about the North Country such as "The Life of a Voyager," and "The River Maligne" which are recognized as national folk songs.

You can read the full obituary here: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/azcentral/obituary.aspx?pid=196314686

I am long-time friends with a few of her friends (who always insisted that the song had only two verses - as originally written). I sincerely regret that I never had the opportunity to meet Mary in person. By all accounts, she was an interesting person with wide-ranging interests. I would have loved to hear her sing this song...

RIP Mary, and know that your songs have touched so many.

- John


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Coke (Colleen Pike Holbrook)
Date: 15 Sep 20 - 08:52 PM

Oh golly. I have never heard of camp Manito-wish or any others back east, for I'm a Pacific Nortwest Scout. A rather old one now, but every summer camp songs sprout wings in my heart, and this one is an old favorite. The minor key songs seem to make the most impact, it seems. My camps were River Ranch (camper,1960s-staff in 1974 and 76) in Carnation; Lyle McLeod (camper 1960s) in Belfair, and Robbinswold (camper, early 1970s) in Lilliwaup, all in Washington State. Then Camp Whispering Winds 1975 in Philomath, Oregon, and Flying G Ranch in Deckers, Colorado in 1977. Canoeing and sailing were always part of camp and Life of a Voyageur was always on top of the list. Another one was Far I Long to Go Today. Also Once a Canadian Lad. And Bed is Too Small for my Tiredness....Oh now I'm going to have to break out Bethany Mara, my old 12 string guitar who was my camp comrade since I was 14 (that was OMG 49 years ago).....Thank you for the memories....


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jan 20 - 05:47 PM

I was a counselor at Camp Manito-wish in 1981 and 1962. Mary Satterfield was a counselor there then. She wrote that song, but we only sang two verses then.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 18 - 01:42 AM

I learned the first two versus of this song at Camp Sacajawea in central Iowa in 91-92 time frame. So cool to see how this song has traveled over the decades. Also cool to how old this thread is!


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,LongJohn
Date: 24 Oct 17 - 02:33 AM

Played this song again the other evening for the first time in several years - made me think of this thread...

Hmmm, when this thread began my younger son was 11 months old. Last summer was his second as a counselor at Manito-wish. Plus, he's a way better guitar player than I'll ever be.    ;-)

I live about an hour and a half south of Rhinelander. Yes, lots of pretty country up in our north woods, but it's a much more subtle beauty than out your way.

- John


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Oct 17 - 02:54 AM

Thanks for stopping by again, John. It's fun when a thread like this goes on for almost twenty years.
I had never been north of Rhinelander (Wisconsin) until last fall (2016), when I made it all the way to Duluth-Superior. There sure is some pretty country in northern Wisconsin.
All the best to you.
-Joe Offer, now in Applegate, California-


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,GUEST,LongJohn
Date: 23 Oct 17 - 02:29 AM

Here's how I play the song. This differs somewhat from the songbook, but corresponds to the way is was played in the late '70's and in camp sing-alongs more recently.

THE LIFE OF A VOYAGEUR

[capo II]

Intro
Am A4    Am A4    Am A4    Am A4    [A4=X02200]
verse
[Am]The life [A4]of a [Am]voya[A4]geur
[G]That of a sojourner
[F]Traveling around and 'round
[E]But not from town to town
[Am]Pad[A4]dles the [Am]lakes and [A4]streams
[G]Follows his distant dreams
[F]Peace on the water ways
[E]Clear skies, no cloudy days

Chorus
[Am]My [A4]heart has [Am]but one [A4]home
[G]From which I'll never roam
[F]Land of true happiness
[Em]Canadian wilder[Am]ne[A4]ss Am A4    Am A4   

The call of the lonely loon
Coyotes howling at the moon
Wind rustling through the trees
That's the Canadian breeze
Smoke rising from the fire
Up through the leaves of the stately spires
Down to the hearth in an evening glow
Sun goes down no north winds blow

The still waters of the morn
Reflect one lonely soul
Paddling so silently
That none's disturbed by he
Untouched by human flesh
Water so pure and fresh
His life is rough but good
This is his chosen home

- John


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,GUEST,LongJohn
Date: 23 Oct 17 - 01:59 AM

Good to see that this thread has stayed alive all these years.

To Joe Offer from October '08: I have every reason to believe mine is the definitive, or at least original, version. I've been affiliated with Camp Manito-wish since 1972 - as a camper, counselor, and frequent volunteer. I have friends who know Mary Satterfield Swanson, and an Uncle who was a co-worker at the camp with her. Mary wrote the first two verses.

And no, 'Quetico' is not another Manito-wish song. I do, however, paddle past your camp on the Wolf most summers.

For M. Peters in December '08: I know of 4 recordings of the song. The camp sells a CD. Richard Blackhawk Kapusta does an a capella version on his CD - there is a short sample here. A camper posted a couple of videos on YouTube.

- John


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Apr 17 - 01:53 AM

Mary Satterfield wrote this song on 1959 on a trip into the Quetico. She came back to Manitowish with it & the rest is history. Credit for this beautiful, lyrical song belongs to her!!


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 31 Jul 14 - 12:12 AM

I realize this thread has been inactive for quite some time, but I just thought I would add! I was searching for the chords to this song, as I'm on a camping trip and forgot my songbook at home.. But for any of you searching for the chords, the Camp Manito-wish website sells a songbook which includes the sheet music and chords for this and a ton of other great songs.. I attended this camp when I was much younger and this is where I learned this song.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Dec 12 - 10:02 PM

I learned this song in about 1976 at a Campfire girls Camp in Iowa! I loved this song, I never learned the 3rd or 4th verse either, i had Campfire girls song book and I couldn't find it and decided to look on the web was surprised to see so many postings.

I used to sing this song to my son when he was little and he loved it and we got to talking about it thus leading to us looking it up!


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,RJ Lewis
Date: 27 Aug 12 - 11:38 AM

I also learned this song at summer camp on the BWCA in Minnesota in the early 70s. I don't remember the camp name but the cabins were all named for explorers in the area, and the nearest town was Orr, MN.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: voyager
Date: 27 Jul 12 - 11:35 AM

Mudcatters -

So the counterpoint to this thread (from the film 'A Mighty WInd') -->

Never Did No Wanderin' (Lyrics - The Folksmen)

Never Did No Wanderin' (You Tube - New Main Street SIngers)

I'm tempted to pen a 'Mudcat Voyager's Ballad) based on 12+ years of membership and the origins of my 'handle'. Since 'Nomad' was taken when I first enrolled, I chose this name from our Plymouth mini-van

Cheers
voyager


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 26 Jul 12 - 02:51 PM

Read Washington's IRving's book..I think called Astoria..he gives some great descriptions.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Laura
Date: 26 Jul 12 - 02:31 PM

I learned this song back in the early 70's at Camp Norwesco (Girl scout camp) in New Auburn Wisconsin.

The first two versus are similiar to the way I learned them with one exception. In the second verse the last four lines go as follows:

Smoke rising from the fires
Up to the trees in stately spires
Breezes sigh in the evening glow
Sun goes down, the north wind blows.

I had never learned a 3 or 4th verse and I see that there are several versions posted here and elsewhere on the web.

I would love to be able to give credit to the correct author, but alas I still am unsure after reading these posts.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Richard Flor
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 11:48 PM

Hello,

I too learned this song during my days at Manito-wish...and sing it to my two young children when we're canoing, at bedtime, hoping that some day they too can experience Manito-wish, or even more, that we get to visit Quetico some day and I can show them some of my old haunts from days working there as an Outward Bound instructor, and the numerous personal trips I've taken.

The song has a mysterious melody and haunting rhythm, which curiously resonates with me--hair on the back of my neck is standing up right now as I right this while this memory comes back to me--of hearing the "singing wilderness" up on Montgomery Lake after we had hiked into a canyon to see some newly discovered petroglyphs of what were thought to be caribou or elk (definitely NOT deer or moose!).

Magical...though I know the song, intimately, does anyone know if the score has been written?

May the wind always be in your favor!

Richard Flor


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Loki-cf
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 09:25 PM

Referring to zephyr '04 and cat in '09.
Yes camp farnsworth traditionally teaches everyone verses 1 and 2 with a trip progression from there. In recent years due to low numbers and interest such programs have been cut. I was among the first 'counselors in training' to be taught ( against custom) all 5 verses in an attempt to keep the song alive. We know slightly different lyrics but they all have the same meaning so what difference do a few words or even a verse mean. It's a song that means a great deal to me and I assume others and I'd be happy to hear any version because no matter the version at least it's being sung.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 11 Jun 11 - 11:57 PM

They are very interesting people..people think they were only in Canada but US certainly had them..up and down teh Mississippi and across in the west...there were many people from Orkney Islands..maybe more in Canada. In US lots of Iriquois Indians and of course French and Metis and Hawaiaans. Lots of Hawaiaans and Orkeney people contracted or were contracted by their king to Hudson's Bay..mg


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Christine
Date: 11 Jun 11 - 09:46 PM

I learned it at Camp Ko-Ha-Me in Kansas. We sang "Ko-ha-me wilderness" instead of Canadian wilderness. We were about as far from the loons as you can imagine, but we still sang about them. This was a Campfire Girls camp.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Bruce Guthrie
Date: 31 Jan 11 - 02:08 PM

I learned a close version of this song at Gunflint Wilderness Camp on the Gunflint Trail near the Boundary Water Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota in 1975.

I sing it to my young boys as a lullaby.

Here are some guitar chords I worked out that you could try:
Em
The life of a voyageur
D
that of a sojourner
C
travels around and 'round
B7    (Bm: x21202)
but not from town to town
Em
travels the lakes and streams
D
follows his distant dreams
C
peace on the waterways
Em         Em7 Em Em7 Em
blue skies and cloudy days

Bruce Guthrie
spdsk8@aol.com

There are a few versions on YouTube with guitar and simpler chords.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Teresa
Date: 21 Oct 10 - 01:08 PM

girl scout camp in lapeer Michigan one verse was printed in our camp songbook.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,kim
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 05:41 PM

I learned the song at Camp Trelipe in N Minnesota in the mid 70's. This is what I have.


The life of a voyageur that of a sojourner,
traveling' around and round, but not from town to town.
Paddles the lakes and streams, follows his distant dreams
Peace on the water ways, blue sky or cloudy day.

My heart has but one home, from which I'll never roam
Land of true happiness, Canadian Wilderness.

The call of the lonely loon, coyotes howling at the moon.
Wind rustling through the trees, that's a Canadian breeze.
Smoke rising from the fire, up through the trees with a stately spire.
All is still in the evening glow. Sun goes down no north winds blow.

My heart has but one home, from which I'll never roam
Land of true happiness, Canadian Wilderness.

The life of a voyageur, that of a sojourner,
Avid but wearly, searching unendlessly.
Searching for peace of mind, while move the hands of time,
Moving uneasily, holding the secret key.

Key to his distant dreams, dreams that may often seem,
Hopeless and gone all wrong but he'll keep moving on.

The life of a voyageur, that of a sojourner,
Clear as a northern stream, key to his distant dreams
Some day he'll find it there, place where he can lose all care.
Loons cry, the wind blows free, he'll find his liberty.

End of all loneliness, end of all weariness, land of true happiness
Canadian Wilderness.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Paula C.
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 07:31 PM

The life of a voyager, that of a sojourner,
Travels around and round, but not from town to town.
Travels the lakes and streams, follows his/her distant dreams.
Peace on the water ways, blue skies and no cloudy days.
My heart has but one home,
From which I'll never roam,
Land of true happiness, Canadian wilderness
The cry of the lonely loon,
Coyotes howling at the moon,
Wind rustling through the trees,
That's the Canadian breeze.
Smoke rising from the fire,
Up to the moon in stately spires,
Sun goes down in evening's glow,
Moon comes up and north wind blows.
The mist from the roaring falls,
Distant hooting of the owls
Fire crackling through the night
Fall, when the leaves come tumbling down,
Winter's blanket covers the ground
Zephyrs whispering through the pines
Voyageur's heritage, this is mine.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,skeeter
Date: 14 Jul 10 - 11:55 PM

who has the guitar chords for this song?....learned in the 60's while canoeing in the Boundary Waters with Girl Scouts~ now i want to play it on my baritone yukele. thanks,


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 09:53 PM

Alexis
I learned this song around 1964 at Camp Tepicon, a Girl Scout Camp, in Indiana. The camp counselors were sisters. "Sprite " had dark curly hair and "Star" had straight blonde hair.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Manito-wisher freak
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 06:53 PM

these all sound... right, but all of them sound a little different than i have sang it at camp manito-wish. i have been going there for four years now, and these all sound different but right at the same time. as much as it annoys me, i cannot remember for the life of me the actual lyrics by the lady who wrote it while on "trail"


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Otookee
Date: 11 Jun 10 - 03:21 AM

I learned it with an alternate chorus after the final verse (the other choruses were as above):

End of all loneliness
End of all weariness
Land of true happiness
Canadian wilderness!


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 02:55 PM

MarkL, Menogyn
I learned it in 1980 or '81 while working at Y Camp Menogyn on the Gunflint Trail NW of Grand Marais, Minnesota. The tune, chorus, and parts of 2 verses stuck with me ever since. I just Googled it recently (thanks Laura!) to learn it completely for an upcoming canoe trip in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ont. The others, all college students, enjoyed it.
Verses can be changed depending on what you experience. Wind from the the north? "..as north wind blows." Calm? ...no north wind blows."
Did you encounter one of those black and white striped cats? ;~) "The skunk's deep rich musky spray, keeping closest friends away..." If you experience something special out there, feel free to try to work it into the song.
One other thing. At Menogyn, after the verse and before the chorus we did four slowly spaced clunks of our paddles on the canoe gunwales(or hands on the table)


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Sandy
Date: 06 Oct 09 - 07:56 PM

Life of a Voyager is sung on a 33 1/3 record called Sounds of Roundup, Idaho 1965 (Girl Scouts of the USA). There it says "This original song by Mrs. Mary Webster..."


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Cat
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 08:57 PM

At Camp Farnsworth in Vermont (which I do believe is the same camp that Zephyr referred to back in 04), everyone can learn the first two verses of the song (life of a voyageur & cry of the lonely loon), however, you learn the other three verses, one at a time, as you move up the progession of the 'Voyageurs' camp program. At the all-camp closing campfire, the group then sings what they've learned to everyone else.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Guest, Kim
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 10:20 AM

I learned this at Honeyrock Camp in WI and it was Wisconsin Wilderness. I just remember the 1st 2 verses and chorus.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Megan
Date: 28 Feb 09 - 07:04 PM

I learned this song at Camp Kamaji on Wolf Lake in Minnesota in 1974 or 1975. I believe it was written by a Canadian about the professional voyageurs who worked for either the Hudson Bay Company or The North West Company, as traders - not by a woman at a summer camp. She may have brought it back with her from a trip up there, but I think it's been around for a lot longer.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,M. Peters
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 12:22 PM

Hello,
   My father and all three of his brothers went and learned this at Manitowish, and my uncle used to sing it to me all the time when I was young.

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any recorded version of it? Or maybe sheet music for the melody?

viola_man14@yahoo.com if you have anything

Thanks!


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 03:26 PM

Joe, re: Quetico

There might be a song, but I assume the poster was referring to the place, which is canoeists' heaven.

~ Becky in Tucson
but spent a wonderful 5 days there with family as a child...


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST,Menogynite
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 03:11 PM

I learned the song on my Nor'wester out of Menogyn in Minneapolis, MN, and we sang it thus:


Life of a voyageur
that of a sojourner
travels around and round
but not from town to town
travels the lakes and streams
follows his distant dreams
peace on the waterways
blue sky, no cloudy days

My heart has but one home
from which I'll never roam
land of true happiness
Canadian wilderness

Call of the lonely loon
coyotes howling at the moon
wind rustling through the trees
that's a Canadian breeze
smoke rising from the fire
up through the trees which in stately spires
reach towards the evening glow
sun goes down, no northwinds blow

My heart has but one home
from which I'll never roam
land of true happiness
Canadian wilderness

Mist rising from the falls
distant hooting of the owls
fire crackling through the night
bird's cry at dawn's first light
fall when leaves come tumbling down
winter's blanket covers ground
zephyrs blowing through the pines
voyageur's heritage, this is mine

My heart has but one home
from which I'll never roam
land of true happiness
Canadian wilderness

Life of a voyageur
that of a sojourner
clear as the mountain stream
key to my distant dream
some day I'll find it there
place where I'll lose all care
owls hoot and loons cry free
there I'll find my liberty

My heart has but one home
from which I'll never roam
land of true happiness
Canadian wilderness!


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Nov 08 - 10:22 PM

Is "Quetico" another song from Camp Manito-Wish?

-Joe Offer-
(who went to Robert S. Lyle Scout Reservation on the Wolf River, in the same area)


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Nov 08 - 06:51 PM

learned it at manito-wish! love this song and quetico!


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyageur/Voyager
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Oct 08 - 04:37 PM

I don't know this song, but I take it that the post from Long John above is the definitive version. Any corrections to his lyrics, and any comments about his attribution of the song to a counselor at Camp Manito-Wish in Wisconsin?
Can anybody make up a MIDI for me for posting?
-Joe Offer-
joe@mudcat.org


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyager
From: GUEST,Ariel
Date: 11 Oct 08 - 11:10 AM

yup i learned it at camp Manito-wish too! it was 1999 i believe!


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyager
From: GUEST,JohnWhaley
Date: 08 Oct 08 - 10:28 PM

Life of a Voyager was our theme song when a group from Oakton Community College in Illinois went canoeing in the BWCA in the early 1980s. I've lost touch with my friends from that trip but been looking for these lyrics now for years! Thanks. My wish is that one of you campers would try to compose the best attempt at all verses! It is such a great song.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyager
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 12:30 AM

Google sites show no composer.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyager
From: GUEST,Skipper
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 11:45 PM

I learned this song at Chalk Hills Girl Scout Camp, Amberg WI about 1965. It was brought back to camp from Camp Widji (the St. Paul Y Camp)when our Canadian canoe trip used to go out of that camp. There were 4 verses at that time.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyager
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 11:58 PM

I learned it at Camp Fire Girls' camp in N. Minnesota...Camp Trelipe..


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyager
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 09:24 PM

I learned this song at Manito Wish, too, and I was just wondering if anyone knew a recorded version of this. I have found every other song I learned but this one. So If anyone has the artist that would be great!
    Please note that anonymous posting is no longer allowed at Mudcat. Use a consistent name [in the 'from' box] when you post, or your messages risk being deleted.
    Thanks.
    -Joe Offer-


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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Life of a Voyager
From: GUEST,Tyson
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 12:52 AM

I learned this song from my mother when i was very young, anyway I'm looking for the music to it so i can play it on guitar. I'm not creative enough to be able to come up with my own chords so i was wondering if anyone knows where i could find some.


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