This song was inspired by the South March Highlands and those fighting courageously and creatively to stop it from being clear-cut & blown-up next week. There is something beautiful and powerful about the Forest we can’t quite explain, but it fuels our ability to work tirelessly (or despite being tired!) to save it. And people keep coming forward to help us, as my friends Stefan, Ogui, Jessica, Michael, and Ed did to get a rough version of this song recorded before the Jan 8 rally.
Rough Cut: Beaver Pond Forest Song
So much noise out there
It can be hard to hear your own voice
So much power used against us
make ya feel you have no choice
We may each feel small
But together we stand tall
So wake up and raise your voice
Go on and make your choice
Who’s gonna fix this
If we back down
Who’s gonna save
Our sacred ground
Its an old story
We don’t have much time
To stop the chainsaws
To stop this crime
A beautiful forest
Home to many species
Cut into tiny pieces
No one paid
To take the long view
Except developers
Makin’ profits for the few
The rich play golf
While the forest crashes down
Basements get flooded
Can we turn this around?
Where is Ottawa City Hall?
Where’s the NCC?
Where is the province?
Why is it just you & me?
Why do humans use our power against life
Against life
Against life
And that is our fight
for life
that is our fight
for life
that is our fight
for life
Beaver Pond Forest
took centuries to grow
A week to destroy
This is our chance to show
That we’ve become wiser
That we fix mistakes
That we value life
That we’ve got what it takes
Will we listen to our Elders?
Which path will we choose
This is a key time
Not a moment to lose
So get up and raise your voice
Go on and make your choice
Who’s gonna fix this
If we back down
Who’s gonna save
Our sacred ground
Vote with your dollar
picket Urbandale
prove this is the wrong way
to make a sale
Cut through the busy
You know its right
Save Beaver Pond Forest
Please join our fight!
So get up and raise your voice
Go on and make your choice
Who’s gonna fix this
If we back down
Who’s gonna save
Our sacred ground
Light your candle for hope
Don’t give in
The truth will rise,
we can all still win
Light that candle
Don’t give in
Truth will rise,
we can all still win.
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