[thechat] Canadian Culture Test

[dave mclean]

> Although I have to take issue with this:
> "You still identify somewhat with England or France."
> All the English emigrants went to the US. I would guess that there's
> more Canadian linkage with Scotland (eh, Dave?)


Aye!

There's actually a song by Spirit of the West (A folk/celtic band) called
The Old Sod which is all about the Scots in Canada.  It's kind of funny my
Scottish heritage, which is paternal in nature, but I've got immigrant
family from England, France, Ireland etc...  My Dad was actually born in
England, and as such, I am entitled to British Citizenship.  My passport
application is at the British High Commission as we speak. But My Dad's Dad
was born in Canada, and his Dad was born in Scotland.  That whole World War
Two thing really made things interesting.

Then there's my wife's side.  She is a first generation Canadian.  Her
parents immigrated to Canada from Norwich, England in 1975.  I swear they
know every Englishman in this city.

Anyway, here are the lyrics to the song.  Let me know if you want an mp3 of
it.  It's really quite good. And a fast paced celtic jig too.

The Old Sod
by: Spirit of the West (Canadian Celtic Rock Band)

 From the old soil to the new land
We came over by the score
We cut the ties said goodbye
And closed the old world door
We settled on our praireis
In your cities and your towns
There's another oatmeal savage
Every time you turn around

Chorus
There's none more Scots
Than the Scots abroad
There's a place in our hearts
For the old sod
There's none more Scots
Than the Scots abroad
There's a place in our hearts
For the old sod

We soon found our own kind
Formed clubs and social nights
And we practised on each other
Just to keep our accents right
For there's more tartan here
Than in all the motherland
We came 5000 miles
To the gathering of the clans

Chorus

There's a bar in the rec room
In the basement of our house
A little shrine to Ballantynes
Haig and famous Grouse
There's a sprig of purple heather
 From the land that once was mine
And Robbie's on the tea towel
With the words to Auld Lang Syne

Chorus

Canada's been good to us
We've a living and a home
We've all got central heating here
And most are on the phone
I'm a citizen of both countries
And very proud to be
For the thistle and the maple leaf
Are the emblems of the free

There's none more Scots
Than the Scots abroad
There's a place in our hearts
For the old sod
There's none more Scots
Than the Scots abroad
There's a place in our hearts
For the old sod


____
damclean 403.708.6215
dave at members.evolt.org
evolt.org member since: 1998