What kind of man will come to this country?

[Lothar]

I am seeking lyrics and sheet music (and, even better, an mpeg file or something) of a Gordon Lightfoot song that does not seem to appear on any of the standard comprehensive lists of his songs. I do not know its official title, but a prominent line in the song was "what kind of man will come to this country?".

The song, performed by GL, was part of the soundtrack of a film that played for several years at Ontario Place on Toronto's waterfront in what I believe was called the Cinesphere, sort of an ahead-of-its-time version of an IMAX theatre I think. I lived in Hamilton when I attended graduate school in the mid-70s, and I saw this beautiful film in 1974. I don't remember the movie's title, but it was sort of a low-key documentary about life in Northern Ontario, the cold part of the province where I spent my early childhood. I love both the song and the film because they speak to me of my parent's own decision to emigrate from Germany to Canada in the 50s.

If anyone knows anything about this song please reply to this posting or just email me at calculusgott@yahoo.ca. Many thanks,

Lothar

[charlene]

The Cinesphere is still there at Ontario Place (with the First permanent IMAX theatre) and I think I know the movie you speak of (North of Superior) but don't remember any Lightfoot tunes in it..nor do I recognize the lyrics you quote as coming from any Lightfoot tunes..

[banjobench12]

I know the song you are thinking of and Char is right. Its not a Gord song. Its called Ojibowe Country (my spelling is surely wrong). Is a good song, I used to play it, but its not a Lightfoot song.

[charlene]

I know the song you are thinking of and Char is right. Its not a Gord song. Its called Ojibowe Country (my spelling is surely wrong). Is a good song, I used to play it, but its not a Lightfoot song.

more info: they must have known we've been looking.. -
http://www.billhouston.ca/music.php

http://www.billhouston.ca/bio.php

Ojibway Country

Listen ... High-Speed, Dial-Up
http://www.billhouston.ca/view_lyrics.php?title=Ojibway+Country

Ojibway country the land of the tree
Brave wild and rugged, cold and so free
Though I will claim you, I cannot tame you
So sang the trapper, the miner, the mapper
So sang the many who came by this way

Superior country your mystery calls me
Time cannot date you, men cannot own
The cold winter weather will bind us together
Sang the railroader, the logger, the loader
So sang the many who made it their home

What kind of man will come to this country
To bear the discomfort and challenge his brain
For it will take him, shake him, remake him
So sang the schemer, the poet, the dreamer
So sang the many who gave it their name

What kind of dreams provoke us to wander
When is the dreaming too late for us all
No rhyme can reason the time or the season
So sang the trapper, the miner, the mapper
And the railroader, the logger, the loader
So sang the schemer, the poet, the dreamer
So sang the many who answered the call


Copyright Bill Houston (SOCAN)

[Jesse Joe]

Great job Char & banjobench12. :)

[Lothar]

Thank you so very much for researching my request. You are great detectives, managing to find more than just the answer, and on so meagre and indeed uninformed evidence. I am incredibly grateful.

You have to admit the song is kind of "Lightfootesque". Nevertheless, this has opened up a whole different volume of Canadian music to me. As a reluctant expatriate who has lived in the US since 1978, this makes me very happy.

Many many thanks. I am so impressed.

Lothar

[BILLW]

Thank you so very much for researching my request. You are great detectives, managing to find more than just the answer, and on so meagre and indeed uninformed evidence. I am incredibly grateful.

You have to admit the song is kind of "Lightfootesque". Nevertheless, this has opened up a whole different volume of Canadian music to me. As a reluctant expatriate who has lived in the US since 1978, this makes me very happy.

Many many thanks. I am so impressed.

Lothar


Well Lothar we do the very best with the very least and our prices are the very best. Keep coming back - it works if you work it.

Bill :)