Yes, I am well aware of these sentiments, and the UEL's are who I was referring to when I made the distinction between the ours being founded in a revolution. We rebelled against the Crown, and your folks were loyalists. There was a great deal of disagreement on the Revolution in New England and, in fact, many of the New England settlers left the US for Canada. I am also very aware of the repelling of the "Yank Invasion". In fact, if this is the one you are referring to, it was actually a Fenian Invasion made up of the Irish Ex pat veterans of the US Civil War from both sides of the conflict, and it occurred in June of 1866. Clinton Hammond used to talk about this difference in the roots of our two countries music.

Billy Green is a pretty good song, great story, but not one of Stan's best in my opinion. Macdonnell on the Heights is much better.

I love the song "MacDonnell on the Heights" and used to perform it at times. I find the story fascinating. And john, you old cynic, these songs get a great deal of play among folk fans in the US. You really must give us a bit more credit. We are not all mouse ear wearing folk cretans. Most of the folkies and average folks that I know do not fit at all into the box that I think you have painted us in.

As we apply that history to the current discussion, one can see how these historical influences have shaped the music. When I refer to this hard to describe attraction though, it is not just one or the other of these things. The whole of the influences together kind of leads the Canadians down a path that is tied to the unique character of that land. There is, at once, excitement and joy, rebelliousness, a very strong pride and identity, a demand to be seen as something other than a neighbor to the USA, and this all adds up to great music. Another example is Bill Gallaher's "Shadow Boats". It thumbs its nose at the US laws, but also exhorts that it's "not for the money or whiskey, but for making those shadow boats run....".

I wish the hell I could get out what I am trying to say here. Bottom line is that I have great respect, and get great enjoyment out of the music that comes out of my Canadian friends.

All the best,

Mick