(This is not the key that Lightfoot uses. I transposed it ages ago to fit my voice. Find a key that fits yours. JG)
There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run
When the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun
Long before the white man and long before the wheel
When the green dark forest was too silent to be real.
But time has not beginnings and histr'y has no bounds As to this verdant country they came from all around They sailed upon her waterways and they walked the forests tall Built the mines mills and the factories for the good of us all.
And when the young man's fancy was turnin' in the spring The railroad men grew restless for to hear the hammers ring. Their minds were over-flowin' with the visions of their day And many a fortune won and lost and many a debt to pay.
There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run When the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun Long before the white man and long before the wheel When the green dark forest was too silent to be real.
For they looked in the future and what did they see
They saw an iron road running from the sea to the sea
Bringin' the goods to a young growin' land
All up from the seaports and into their hands
Bring in the workers and bring up the rails We gotta lay down the tracks and tear up the trails Open her heart let the life-blood flow Gotta get on our way 'cause we're movin' too slow.
Get on our way 'cause we're movin' too slow.
Behind the blue Rockies the sun is declinin'
The stars they come stealin' at the close of the day.
Across the wide prairies our loved ones lie sleeping
Beyond the dark forest in a place far away.
We are the plow-boys who work upon the railway Swingin' our hammers in the bright blazin' sun Livin' on stew and drinkin' bad whiskey Layin' down track 'til the long days are done.
Yeah, bendin' our backs 'til the railroad is done.
Now the song of the future has been sung
All the battles have been won
On the mountain tops we stand
All the world at our command
We have opened up the soil
With our teardrops and our toil
There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run When the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun Long before the white man and long before the wheel When the green dark forest was too silent to be real.
But time has not beginnings and histr'y has no bounds As to this verdant country they came from all around They sailed upon her waterways and they walked the forests tall Built the mines mills and the factories for the good of us all.
And when the young man's fancy was turnin' in the spring The railroad men grew restless for to hear the hammers ring. Their minds were over-flowin' with the visions of their day And many a fortune won and lost and many a debt to pay.
There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run When the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun Long before the white man and long before the wheel
When the green dark forest was too silent to be real.
When the green dark forest was too silent to be real.
And many are the dead men too silent too be real
************************************************************************ * "Here's a song that I like to play. * * Print it out, play it and pass it around. * * If you like it, send me one of your favourites." * * * * Calgary, Alberta, Canada FidoNet: 1:134/160 * ************************************************************************
