Happy Birthday Saskatchewan

As I write this, I assume that the last smoke from the fireworks is drifting away, and the happy people are walking back to their cars, the barn dance, or whatever they are doing for the rest of this "party-of-the-century" evening. I spent the early part of the evening biking south to Perry's Hill and lingering there for awhile watching the sunset and the changing hues of the landscape, and listening to a combine working nearby.

In honour of the big party, I offer you a link to the official centennial song, "Saskatchewan, We Love This Place!" by Stan Garchinski.

In honour of the farmers who couldn't be there, I offer you the lyrics for one of my own songs.

Saskatchewan Song
© 2004 Laura Herman

They were standing by the field in late September
as the sun turned all the stubble into gold.
He said, "Son, I don't know where you'll be
at the end of harvest next year.
I suppose you're going to want to hit the road.
I don't blame you if you're itching to be gone
but if you stay, you'll do okay,
here in Saskatchewan,

because we reach
for a farther off horizon.
We still count the stars that others cannot see.
We say, 'Hey, there's always next year,'
and we laugh, and lend a hand.
That's the way this land has brought us up to be.

Still, if you decide to go, we'll be here for you
and you know we'll help in any way we can.
Sure, we always hoped you'd take the farm
but you gotta chase your own dreams,
and no matter what they are, we'll understand.
Son, I know there's lots of places far beyond
that sure could use a boy like you,
raised in Saskatchewan,

because we reach
for a farther off horizon.
We still count the stars that others cannot see.
We say, 'Hey, there's always next year,'
and we laugh, and lend a hand.
That's the way this land has brought us up to be.
The way Saskatchewan has brought us up to be.

They were standing by the field in late September
and the sun turned all
the stubble
into gold...