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IN THE WINTER OF '65
IN THE WINTER OF '65
like that famous "AMERICAN FOLK SONG " of the 1970s
titled "THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN"
Didn't it go something like this ?
He was just 18 and proud and brave
'till a "YANKEE" laid him in his grave
in the winter of '65
we were hungry --- just barely alive ---
But let's say --- head straight north ---
for about 4,000 or 5,000 miles
back there in the winter of '65
up here in this "DUMB ASSED"
FROZEN BACK COUNTRY OF CANADA
we too -- were hungry just barely alive
in the winter of '65
and yes --- I'll admit it/right here and now ---
back there on the farm --- high up on some "RIDGE"
where the winter seemed like an "ICE BOX"
on some old fashioned "FRIDGE"
'cause all our livestock up and died last fall
mind you --- "DEAD AS DOORNAILS" ---
huddled close together --- back there in the barn ---
"FROZEN SOLID" --- up against the north wall ---
over there in their stall
and for those poor things left
there would be no "rewards or brass rings"
those poor poor things
'CAUSE in the winter of '65
we were hungry --- just barely alive ---
all the pantries had long ago been laid bare
like no one -- no -- no -- no-- no one --
not even mother nature --- "HERSELF" ---
even cared --- there in the winter of '65
when we too --- were hungry --- just barely alive ---
that terrible winter of '65
even the CANADA POST FELL THROUGH
way back there in the early AUTUMN
YES --- "OUR ALMOST SACRED CANADA POST"
what a doggoned rat-hole
what a "RAT-HOLE" of a place ---
a strange kind of "HOST"
what a "CRAZY" kind of place
WHEN EVEN our "DEAR AND CHERISHED "CANADA POST"
gave up the "GHOST"
with no "RHYME or REASON"
and just TOTALLY "ZERO" GRACE ---
A "CRAZY" sort of place ---
As for my closest neighbour
about 10 miles further down the bay
He must have been a "DAIRY FARMER"
For he was really "CHEESED-OFF"
So to speak or say
and to say the least
during that long, cold winter
like it was never going to ever "LET UP"
like it was almost here forever
and yes --- "HERE TO STAY" ---
BUT SERIOUSLY FOR A MOMENT
it was actually cold enough back then
to "FREEZE" the "NUTS-OFF" an "IRON BRIDGE"
along our NORTHERN HIGHWAY DUBBED # 11
all the way between
"MOOSONEE" and "THUNDER BAY"
Yes -- as a matter of fact --
It really was that cold
and on that very day
But the nights grew even colder
Say -- if someone felt a little bolder
and hopefully for them
their truck never broke down late at night
along "HIGHWAY #11'S" SHOULDER
that ran all the way
from "MOOSONEE TO THUNDER BAY"
'CAUSE IT RAN IN A PRETTY WELL STRAIGHT LINE --
For about 800 or 900 miles
IT WAS SMOOTH SAILING
MOST ALL OF THE TIME
ALONG IT'S FULL LENGTH
WHERE MOST ALL TRUCKERS
FOUND THEIR INNER STRENGTH
THEY CALLED or LATER DUBBED IT
CANADA'S "FAVOURITE NORTHERN HIGHWAY # 11"
AND for most "NORTHERN -- LONG -- HAUL TRUCKERS"
IT BECAME A LEGEND
Going back for at least 200 years
with 800 or 900 miles
of smooth sailing and very few tears
IT REALLY BECAME A LEGEND
FOR THOSE GUYS AND GALS
WHO DROVE CANADA'S FAVOURITE HIGHWAY # 11
ALL THE WAY AND YES BOTH NIGHT AND DAY
FROM "MOOSONEE TO THUNDER BAY"
OUR FAMOUS AND ALMOST SACRED
AND EVEN A LEGEND
THAT "NORTHERN HIGHWAY DUBBED # 11"
