CANADIAN RAILROAD

Gordon Lightfoot
 CFC
 There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run
 CFG
 When the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun
 CFC
 Long before the white man and long before the wheel
 CGBbCGmCGmC
 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.
 CGDm
 For they looked in the future and what did they see
 BbC
They saw an iron road running from the sea to the sea
 GDm
 Bringin' the goods to a young growin' land
 BbC
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.
 BbG
 Get on our way 'cause we're movin' too slow.
 CFG
Behind the blue Rockies the sun is declinin'
 CFDG
The stars they come stealin' at the close of the day.
 CFG
Across the wide prairies our loved ones lie sleeping
 CFGC
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.
 CFGCCGmCGm
Yeah, bendin' our backs 'til the railroad is done.    
 GmCGmC
 Now the song of the future has been sung
 CGmC
 All the battles have been won
 GmC
On the mountain tops we stand
 GmC
All the world at our command
 GmC
We have opened up the soil
 GmG
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
 CGBbC
 When the green dark forest was too silent to be real.
 GBbC
When the green dark forest was too silent to be real.
 GBbCGmC
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." *
* *
* Jeffrey Goffin Internet: jgoffin@acs.ucalgary.ca *
* Calgary, Alberta, Canada FidoNet: 1:134/160 *
************************************************************************


Bb C D Dm F G Gm
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