Operetta by Janet L. Strang for the BCUC Site C hearings in early 1980's
Photo by Alice Summer at 6 Mile on the Peace River, now under the Williston reservoir.
An Operetta
By Janet L. Strang.
THE NORTH PEACE RIVER FOLK ARE DAMMED
When I was a lass I took a turn,
Up the Peace River Valley where the waters churn.
Over meadows green to the canyon steep,
The natural beauty made a mortal weep.
CHORUS:
Over Meadows green to the canyon steep,
The natural beauty made a mortal weep.
---
And I can remember when it was a treat,
In the winter time when all would meet.
To skate on the ice and slide on the snow,
That was on the Peace River in the days long ago.
CHORUS:
To skate on the ice and slide on the snow,
That was on the Peace River in the days long ago.
---
Now the meadows are gone and the canyon, too,
One can’t skate upon the river as one used to do.
For changes were made ecologically,
To help our province economically.
CHORUS;
For changes were made ecologically,
To help our province economically.
---
Yes, all had been calm and serine and still,
But the power call came and came very shrill.
Madam South needed power and her need was great,
And as usual Lady North was raped!
CHORUS:
Madam South needed power and her need was great,
And as usual Lady North was raped!
---
But hear this Protesters – Picketing now!!
“You should have slaughtered the scared cow.
When she was born up Portage Way,
In the early “Sixties” – that was the Day.”
CHORUS:
When she was born up Portage Way,
In the early “Sixties” that was the day.
---
The whole “Dam Business” should have never commenced,
We can see it hasn’t made much sense.
The valleys should be green for our farmer’s sake,
And we shouldn’t have a monster called Williston Lake.
CHORUS:
The valleys should be green for our farmer’s sake,
And we shouldn’t have a monster called Williston Lake.
---
But, you have seen it happen time and again,
Progress can’t be stopped by a handful of men.
For if the south needs hydro – hydro she’ll get,
And She will have more power than She’s ever had yet.
CHORUS:
For if the South needs hydro – hydro she’ll get,
And She will have more power that She’s ever had yet.
---
We live in the North and our call sounds weak,
We pay and pay and life can be bleak.
Our Rivers are dammed and our gasoline high,
Old Victoria doesn’t hear our cry.
CHORUS:
Our Rivers are dammed and our gasoline high,
Old Victoria doesn’t hear our cry.
---
Good North Peace Folk – a cut above the rest,
We all hope we have done our best.
But we find out as the years roll along,
That we always are the people who are “Peaced” upon.
CHORUS:
But we find out as the years roll along,
That we always are the people who are “Peaced” upon.
---
