THE FOUNDING OF THE FAMOUS CPR
Trad., source Wilf Carter.

In the valley of Ontario you started
With heroic purpose crossing ranger's farm
You pioneers of canada who sponsored
You founders of the famous CPR.
Such a record laid in steel of daring genius,
At the dreams of those pioneers came true,
And remember the Bow River valley,
And what the CPR has done for you.
When the purpose swept across the great dominion
For confederation Vesey thought it best
That all Canada must build and start a railroad
That would link the oceans lying east and west.
Back in 1881 when Stevens stated,
"We must start this railroad west from Montreal,
Push right on through the northern Rocky lakesides,"
He was backed up by each member, one and all.
Oh, consider this tremendous undertaking
As they struggled onward fighting sheer but slow
And remember the Bow River valley
And the daring builders 50 years ago.
You have heard just how the forged right steady onward
Out across each mighty wilderness and plain,
Creeping slowly on through forests, farms and ranches,
Fighting elements and Indians again.
Now these great men battled cold and hard privation
Grim with purpose and right noble was the test
And old Crowfoot told those builders of the nation
They would never reach Calgary in the west.
Now you speed in travel o'er this great dominion
You may bid all your friends fond adieu
And remember east and west in all this nation,
That the CPR will bring you safely through.
Building onward o'er the great Canadian Rockies
They who sailed her steamships now on seven seas,
On through calagary and the Bow River valley
Where Tom Wilson found the famous Lake Louise.
Struggling on with ceaseless urge and persevering
This gigantic symbol of a mighty test,
Through the Frazier River valley's rocky canyons
With Vancouver eager waiting in the west.
When you travel through the great Canadian Rockies,
You will find a mighty welcome near and far.
And remember the world's best-travelled system
That you're guest of, the famous CPR.
On the CP round this world you travel safely.
Hotels, money orders, telegrams and mails,
Trusted bearers to the world's most farthest places
And you'll stay right on their steamships and their rails.
Oh, the hotels have become a famous system.
The Palliser at Calgary is the best.
And the Banff Spring Hotel up in the Rockies,
And the Lake Louise, the finest in the west.
Come and tarry in the shadow of the Rockies.
The fame of Lake Louise goes near and far.
And the great officials of this great railroad
With three cheers for the famous CPR.