Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
QotD: Agnes on the Cowcatcher
July 1st is Canada Day. The first Prime Minister of Canada was John Alexander MacDonald, who shepherded the process towards their being considered an independent country. His second wife was named Agnes.
Tanglefoot was a band formed by schoolteachers, who wrote much of their own material, and much of it reflected history. For today’s Quote of the Day, I give you their song about the formation of Canada and the railroad built to bind the country.
Published in Group Writing
Happy Canada Day, eh?
This is the Quote of the Day, by the way. If you have a quotation you would like to share, why not sign up? It’s the easiest way to start a conversation on Ricochet.
I didn’t know there was a song about that railroad line. I’ve mentioned before that a great-grandfather of mine worked briefly as a laborer on the building of that railroad.
We don’t have anything more than my great-grandfather’s stories about the experience to go on, but it would have to have been some time between fall 1884, after he turned 21 and no longer owed his labor to his father, and fall 1886 when he got married and settled down. Although “settled down” was not anything that ever lasted long for him. I guess he went north across the border to do some of the work the Canadians wouldn’t do. In my mind it was in a forested part of Canada, but I don’t know if I was told that or if my mind just inserted that into the story. Maybe I have some notes from my grandfather about it somewhere.
That’s hardly the only one. I believe I saw another posted on @torywarwriter‘s post for Canada Day.
That’s right! It is Canada Day! It is also the 44th anniversary of me becoming a mother!! Our oldest son was born today (on his due date, mind you, the year of the Bicentennial Celebration of America) (and he continues to be a polite and considerate person to this day.) I continue to be focused on that event. But I am also happy to celebrate Canada!
@arahant, I celebrated along with you. My great grandmother came to Canada as one of the “home children”.
I would also suggest the Gordon Lightfoot penned “Canadian Railroad Trilogy” as another song that is appropriate.
Tory War Writer posted it in his Canada Day Post.
Doh!! I missed it. Being well on the north side of 60 I seem to be missing things more often.
We post a lot of stuff every day. It’s hard to keep up.