Songs That Mention Canadian Places

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Oct 21 - 02:35 PM

Maybe it's Because I'm a Londoner :) ?

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Mrrzy
Date: 05 Oct 21 - 08:38 AM

La danse à St Dilon
La Manitoukai

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 02 Oct 21 - 08:28 PM

From GREAT SPECKLED BIRD; "Calgary" (Ian Tyson / Sylvia Tyson)

Drive me to the airport, 'cause my baby's waiting
Up north in Calgary the ice is breaking
Color that jet plane going, color me gone

Down on the Gulf of Mexico with the sunlight shifting
I was playing cards and losing while the blizzards drifting
Calgary she's waiting all alone, say 'bout that lonely

It's one twenty-eight one way
Oh you know I'll pay you back someday

Drive me to the airport, you know my baby's waiting
Way up north in Calgary the ice will soon be breaking
Color that jet plane going and color me gone

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 02 Oct 21 - 06:38 PM

Ian Tyson has a few.

LONG LONG TIME TO GET OLD by Ian Tyson 1969

The eagle's flyin' tomorrow, Mosquito bitin' me today
I ride the bus to Toronto, Highway Two, all the way
I take a walk along Yonge Street, Good times are bought and sold
Remember this, children, If the good Lord's willin'
There's a long, long time to get old

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Rex
Date: 02 Oct 21 - 11:07 AM

Canol Road

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Sol
Date: 01 Oct 21 - 12:43 PM

"Flowers Of Saskatchewan" David Francey
(... the ghost of the Calgary Tanks)

Flowers of Saskatchewan

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: meself
Date: 01 Oct 21 - 10:47 AM

Well ... with all due respect to the OP - and I do wish she would make a re-appearance on Mucat! - the whole premise is a little naive, as I'm sure she'd willingly concede. The assumption would seem to be that there is a limited number of 'Songs that Mention Canadian Places'. I suppose there's no harm in it, but I'm not sure what the point is of going on forever bringing up every obscure song that mentions a Canadian place name. I guess as a Canadian I find it a little embarrassing, tbh ....

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: GUEST,Cory Mithery
Date: 01 Oct 21 - 10:37 AM

These are some songs with Canadian place names written by Kieran Wade, formerly a member of the Toronto-based band, TIP Splinter

The Fields of Saskatchewan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3o729O0YnI

The Shores of Newfoundland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEpBdX4_ols

Midnight Sun – Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrHxT7SGvZQ

One Way Ticket – Brantford, Ontario
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us0s7O92GoU

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: GerryM
Date: 30 Sep 21 - 11:01 PM

This thread needs an index.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Sol
Date: 30 Sep 21 - 07:38 PM

"Picture To Hollywood" by Ron Hynes. He mentions 'blue New Brunswick sky'

"The Balena" - 'from Dundee to St Johns'

"Let's Get Away From It All" by Sinatra 'Let' take a trip to Niagara'

"Ontario" -Eddi Reader

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Cool Beans
Date: 30 Sep 21 - 06:10 PM

A song about Toronto's Avenue Road. Here's a link:

https://martykohn.bandcamp.com/track/avenue-road

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: GUEST,Robert Dawson
Date: 30 Sep 21 - 04:11 PM

Stringband did a version of "John Henry" (ca 1975) inspired by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers' protest against sorting machines and the postal codes that made them possible. It had one chorus consisting entirely of Canadian place names recited rhythmically, and another one with a similar string of postal codes. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to memorize.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: David C. Carter
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 05:53 AM

Guest,Music From Big Pink,that's right.

I was only sorry that I myself was in a hurry to get to someplace,and didn't have time to look it up.
I didn't think that you would find it a chore,LOL.I am happy to hear that you found a song you liked.It isn't as well known as some of their other great(IMO)songs,alas!

So.I won't say "Have a nice day",I'll let you chose what sort of day you want to have!
Best wishes
Take care

David(in another bloody rush)

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 08:15 PM

Hank Snow didn't write I've Been Everywhere but as pointed out adapted an Aussie song. He did however write this and it is one that I sing often.
My Nova Scotia Home

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 01:43 PM

It was a pleasure because thanks to that I got to encounter a good song.

(I didn't mean to imply that finding the song was a chore, David. The opposite in fact.)

The Band--is this The Band as in Music From Big Pink?

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: David C. Carter
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 11:19 AM

Bruce, I imagined that there would be a few sites out there,but I was pressed for time yesterday when I posted.

Sorry about that!

Thanks again.

David

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: GUEST,999
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 07:17 AM

David,

There's about a half dozen sites that have words and chords. Until you mentioned the song, I'd never heard of it before. But then, I ain't too long outta the trees.

Beer,

I heard all about your busy-ness the last three days. I hope it cleared some space for you.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Beer
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 06:57 AM

Thanks asa well Bruce. Most appreciated. Would have written sooner but as you know I was a bit busy these past three days.
ad.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: GUEST,999
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 05:53 AM

Hi, David. You are most welcome.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: David C. Carter
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 05:17 AM

Many thanks for the "Acadian Driftwood" lyrics 999.

And the added chordse,of cours!

Cheers

David

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: GUEST,999
Date: 11 Sep 11 - 10:40 AM

Dennis Brown's 'Crossties on a Railroad'. As Bill Garrett pointed out during his set at Namasthe a few months back--the opening line to the song is "I left my home in the Selkirks [Canadian mountain range] where the Douglas-fir stands"--the D-f doesn't grow that far inland from the coast of BC.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: GUEST,999
Date: 11 Sep 11 - 10:09 AM

F C9
The war was over and the spirit was broken
Dm9 Ebmaj9 Gm7
The hills were smokin' as the men withdrew
F
We stood on the cliffs
C/G A9
Oh, and watched the ships
Bb Gm7
Slowly sinking to their rendezvous
F C9
They signed a treaty and our homes were taken
Dm9 Ebmaj9
Loved ones forsaken
Gm7
They didn't give a damn
F
Try'n' to raise a family
C/G A9
End up the enemy
Bb Gm7
Over what went down on the plains of Abraham (*)


F Bb
Acadian driftwood
Gm7 C7
Gypsy tail wind
Bb/D F/C Bb Gm7
They call my home the land of snow
F Bb Gm7 C7
Canadian cold front movin' in
Bb/D F/C
What a way to ride
Bb Dm7/A Gm7 C7 F
Oh, what a way to go



Then some returned to the motherland
The high command had them cast away
And some stayed on to finish what they started
They never parted
They're just built that way
We had kin livin' south of the border
They're a little older and they've been around
They wrote a letter life is a whole lot better
So pull up your stakes, children and come on down

Fifteen under zero when the day became a threat
My clothes were wet and I was drenched to the bone
Been out ice fishing, too much repetition
Make a man wanna leave the only home he's known
Sailing out of the gulf headin' for Saint Pierre
Nothin' to declare
All we had was gone
Broke down along the coast
But what hurt the most
When the people there said
"You better keep movin' on"

Everlasting summer filled with ill-content
This government had us walkin' in chains
This isn't my turf
This ain't my season
Can't think of one good reason to remain
I've worked in the sugar fields up from New Orleans
It was ever green up until the floods
You could call it an omen
Points ya where you're goin'
Set my compass north
I got winter in my blood

Acadian driftwood
Gypsy tail wind
They call my home the land of snow
Canadian cold front movin' in
What a way to ride
Ah, what a way to go

F C7sus4 C7 Bb/D Gm7
Sais tu, A-ca-di-e j'ai le mal du pays
[You know, Acadia, I long for the country (I am homesick)]
F C7sus4 C7 Bb/D Gm7
Ta neige, Acadie, fait des larmes au soleil
[Your snow, Acadia, makes tears in the sun (or for the sun)]
F C7sus4 C7 Bb/D Gm7
J'arrive Acadie, teedle um, teedle um, teedle ooh
[I am arriving Acadia (or I am coming Acadia)]

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: David C. Carter
Date: 11 Sep 11 - 06:44 AM

How about "Acadian Driftwood":The Band.

Can't recall all the lyrics at the moment,guess they're on Youtube some place though.

Maybe someone has them.

David

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Beer
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 09:47 PM

I am very interested in this Mrrzy. Hope you have the time to come up with more.
Thanks.
ad.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Mrrzy
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 09:40 PM

In Three Fishermen, they all sailed out for Halifax, they all sailed out for Halifax, hali hali fax fax fax, hali hali fax fax fax, they all sailed out for Halifax.

In the intro to something the Clancy Brothers say something like Some escaped even further west, to the land that became known as Nova Scotia, New Scotland...

And I'm sure I have more sea chanteys about sailing up North, I'll have to see... or, rather, listen.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Beer
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 09:25 PM

GUEST,Daeth

Do you have any more information that you could add?
ad.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: GUEST,Daeth
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 02:17 AM

For something a little more recent, there is a song by the artist Classified called The Maritimes that mostmentions specfics about stuff in Nova Scotia.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: bobad
Date: 13 Aug 11 - 07:37 AM

Guest, Pascal

Your best bet would be to start a new thread with your request and post the English lyrics. Mention in the thread title that you are wanting a French translation of a song.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: bobad
Date: 13 Aug 11 - 07:10 AM

David Francey Banks of the Seaway mentions Summerstown which is just east of Cornwall, Ontario, on the St.Lawrence River, which is also mentioned in the song.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Beer
Date: 13 Aug 11 - 06:57 AM

This first song is by a friend of mine Victor Courte. Not many place names mentioned but more of land reference. Great job Victor.
http://youtu.be/7VuqxaQxux0


This second song has lots of place names. The Mike Plume Band with the song "8:30 Newfoundland" or "This is our Home". Great song.

http://youtu.be/SpMdwDL6xrY

ad.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: GUEST,Pascal
Date: 12 Aug 11 - 09:51 PM

Please help!
A friend asked me to make a french adaptation of "Fortune come home year" by Eric Kendell; This song is on a mini-tape recorded in Grand-Bank for the Fortune come home year committee (Burin peninsula - 1996)).

But before translating the lyrics, I must have them. Unfortunately I do not understand all the english words. Do somebody can help me about those lyrics. The song is probably not well-known but I can send a digital copy by email to anyone who agree to help me. Thanks.

Pascal from St-Pierre & Miquelon

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Rowan
Date: 12 Apr 10 - 02:36 AM

Looks like my suggestions about the similarities between "Riding on a donkey" and "Bonnie Hieland Laddie" have already been preempted, although I've always heard the former played in a major scale and the latter I learned and sang in a minor scale. Both appear to refer to aspects of the Transatlantic timber trade.

How about the ultimate place name song written by Nova Scotian, Hank Snow?

I've been everywhere

Well, Hank's song (like the ones from the US and England and other places) is subsequent to, and a parody of the one sung by Lucky Starr that deals with Australian place names. Currently, Hank's effort appears in the DT while Lucky Starr's doesn't.

I seem to recall a lovely strathspey that tunefully recalls the eddies and pools of the St Lawrence River but I'm not sure whether it has words written to it.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: meself
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 12:22 AM

That's mighty kind and considerate of you, Mizz Azizi - and happy Canada Day right back atcha!

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Azizi
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 12:12 AM

Happy Canada Day!

Visit this link for Canada Songs for children:

http://www.dltk-kids.com/canada/songs/index.html

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Azizi
Date: 09 Jun 09 - 12:52 PM

Gibb, did you mean this sentence from your 08 Jun 09 - 04:57 PM post to read this way:

Those places all relate to working ports, or places where migrant type labor would be familiar with.

Mobile Bay (Alabama) and Gulf of Mexico ports generally, Galveston TX, NOLA were in some people's opinion "ground zero" for chantey formation.


**

Also, does "Cotton loading there" refer to Mobile Bay or all of those ports you mentioned.

I'm not trying to be nit picky (excuse that expression). I'm just trying to gather more trivia information in a true Virgo-ian manner (Virgo-my Ascendant and Mars sign in astrology)

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Crowhugger
Date: 09 Jun 09 - 12:46 PM

Ahh, I see, Sandy McLean thanks for that...Funny thing is that the version we sang as kids in the later 60's (perhaps before that change) had both the Grand Banks and PEI lines in there somehow, each opening its own verse. Not from someone's memory but from some print version, but maybe not an official print version...that's some more folk process at work I guess.
:-)
~CH~

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 04:57 PM

Azizi,

Those places all relate to working ports, or places where migrant type labor would be familiar with.

Mobile Bay (Alabama and Gulf of Mexico ports generally -- Galveston TX, NOLA) was, in some people's opinion "ground zero" for chantey formation. Cotton loading there.

Miramichi and Quebec were timber loading areas. Seasonal labor might shift between there and Mobile.

Dundee is, well, Scotland -- cause that's where the original Hielan' Laddie song came from!! :)

Plenty other places, non-Canadian figure in the song. In my version I ask, "Was you ever in L.A.?"

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 04:46 PM

Crowhugger, when that mistake was pointed out to Oscar he changed it to:
"I have walked many a mile
On the shores of Prince Edward Isle"
The sands of Cavendish rise above sea level, :-}

Subject: Something to Sing About
From: Crowhugger
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 04:00 PM

This one's full of place references and IMHO it should be our national anthem, AFTER someone fixes the first 2 lines. For the information of the geographically challenged, the Grand Banks are a large, relatively shallow area of the ocean sitting generally to the south of Newfoundland where cod and other fish used to be absurdly plentiful. If it is indeed sandy, one would need gills to walk on it!

I found the full words in another thread, but since I'm not much of a blue-clicky-maker...


SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT
(Oscar Brand)

I have walked cross the sand
On the Grand Banks of Newfoundland,
Lazed on the ridge of the Mirimichi,
Seen the waves tear and roar
At the stone coast of Labrador
Watched them roll back to the great northern sea.

CHORUS: From the Vancouver Island
To the Alberta highland,
Cross the Prairie, the Lakes to Ontario's towers,
From the sound of Mount Royal's chimes
Out to the Maritimes,
Something to sing about, this land of ours.

I have welcomed the dawn
From the fields of Saskatchewan,
Followed the sun to the Vancouver shore,
Watched it climb shiny new
Up the snow peaks of Caribou,
Up to the clouds where the wild Rockies roar. CHORUS

I have heard the wild wind sing,
The places that I have been,
Bay Bull and Red Deer and Strait of Belle Isle,
Names like Grand Mere and Silverthrone,
Moosejaw and Marrowbone
Trails of the pioneer, named with a smile. CHORUS

I have wandered my way
To the wild wood of Hudson Bay,
Treated my toes to Quebec's morning dew,
Where the sweet summer breeze
Kissed the leaves of the maple trees,
Sharing this song that I'm singing to you. CHORUS

Yes, there's something to sing about,
Tune up a string about,
Call out in chorus or quietly hum,
Of a land that's still young,
With a balled that's still unsung,
Telling the promise of great things to come. CHORUS

TRO ©credit 1963 & 1964, Hollis Music Inc. New York, N.Y.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Crowhugger
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 03:28 PM

"Country Music" by Marie-Lynn Hammond:

...Well you can play that country music
Yes you can hear those country songs
And all the people lost in the cities
They can't help but play along:
Sing of prairie summers, Ottawa River
And Sunday mornings in a small Quebec town...

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Terry McDonald
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 03:24 PM

Mobile is clearly the one in Alabama. Dundee is presumably the city (and port) of that name in Scotland.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Azizi
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 03:20 PM

Thanks, Terry.

At one time I would have asked what "NB" means. But now I can pat myself on the back cause I figure it's "New Brunswick, Canada" whose capital is "Fredericton".

(Okay, I admit that I cheated on the capital by looking it up at this website: http://www.canada.gc.ca/othergov-autregouv/prov-eng.html

**

Now that we (okay again-now that I know) that "Merrimashee" is "Miramachi, NB", where is "Dundee"? And was I right that "Mobile" (Mobile Bay) is "Mobile, Alabama, USA"?

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Terry McDonald
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 03:12 PM

Azizi - it's almost certainly Miramachi, NB.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 02:42 PM

Let's not forget "Dance Hall Girls" by Fraser & Debolt.

Each verse ends with the line "Is this the way it always is here in Baltimore?"

At the end of the song, though, they sing, "Is this the way it always is here in Montreal?"

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Azizi
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 02:28 PM

This song was just posted in a recently revived thread. I'm going to take the liberty to copy the entire post and an excerpt from the preceding post:

Subject: RE: Donkey Riding - What's Hong-ki-kong?
From: GUEST,Lighter - PM
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 01:45 PM

Nordhoff:

Were you ever in Quebec,
Chorus:--Bonnie laddie, highland laddie,
Stowing timber on the deck,
Chorus:--My bonnie highland laddie oh.

[Similarly:]

Were you ever in Dundee....
There some pretty ships you'll see....

Were you ever in Merrimashee....
Where you make fast to a tree....

Were you ever in Mobile Bay....
Screwing cotton by the day....

thread.cfm?threadid=41062&messages=56

-snip-

Subject: RE: Donkey Riding - What's Hong-ki-kong?
From: Q - PM
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 01:16 PM

In "Folk Songs of Canada," Fowke and Johnston mention the version of "Hieland Laddie" (Donkey Riding) in Charles Nordhoff, "Nine Years a Sailor," 1857, in which Quebec, Dundee, Merrimashee and Mobile are mentioned.
He obtained it from cotton screwers in Mobile. Mentioned in passing in Hugill. ...

thread.cfm?threadid=41062&messages=56

**

Of course, I recognize the Canadian place name Quebec. And I'm assuming that Mobile is Moblile, Alabama (but since the song referred to "Mobile Bay" maybe I'm wrong about that). But where are Dundee and Merrimashee located?

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Art Thieme
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 06:57 PM

Little Abitibi River

Many of Wade Hemsworth's songs.

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Bert
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 05:41 PM

Harbour Le Cou

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 04:32 PM

Two locations crying out for inclusion are Moose Jaw, birthplace of a good friend of mine, and Great Slave Lake (append Yellowknife to that list). I have not seen either mentioned thus far.

Delicacy (and a wish not to offend my Canadian friends) dictates I not mention the specific name of an old Oscar Brand favorite. Suffice it to say that it celebrated the wiles of one celebrated "soiled dove" from a city in Manitoba. C'mon; you know...

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: Azizi
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 07:02 AM

Thanks for that list, Guest jonovision!

Subject: RE: Songs That Mention Canadian Places
From: GUEST,jonovision
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 08:33 PM

My goodness gracious...so many oversights....
Marie-Jo Therriault...Moncton
Zachary Richard...Cap Enragé
Timo...Ya ben trop dmonde (acadie)
Bran van 3000...supermodel (thunder bay)
Buddy Wasisname...Dumping on Toronto
Buddy Wasisname...song for newfoundland
Cayouche...auberge du quai de l'horloge (montreal)
Cayouche...pas d'icitte pas d'ailleurs...(paquetteville)
Charbonniers de l'enfer.filles de repentigny
City and colour...Coming Home (Halifax, saskatoon)
Classified...the maritimes (halifax)
Damien...Check One Two (Montreal)
Eric Lapointe...Bobby Pine (Ste-Catherine)
Ian Tyson...Horsetheif moon(alberta)
Jean Leloup...I lost my Baby (Hawksberry, ottawa, ste-foy...)
Joel Plaskett...love this town (Rivière-Du-Loup, Kelowna)
Joel Plaskett...Nowhere with you (Dartmouth)
Sam Roberts...This wreck of a life (Ste-Catherine et St-Laurent)
Fred Eaglesmith...Cumberland County
Stompin' Tom Connors...Just about every song he's ever done includes mentions of St-John, PEI, Clementine, Montreal, Entree Isle, Vancouver, Edmonton, Yukon...
Tom Cochrane...Life's a highway (Vancouver)
The Tragically Hip...About half the songs they every done...including places such as ...Bobcaygeon, Toronto, Twillingate, Brandon...


All I did was pruse through the mp3s on my computer...there are so mny more...