I am born and bred in a Vancouver suburb starting in 1953. I lived the life Ian is singing about and he tells the story just as it really was back in the day. When I listen to him I still see the mamoth trees that we felled and loaded onto the massive logging trucks. They don't make them like that anymore. It was truly an experience to behold.
I first heard this on the radio up north by the "border". Never heard o' Ian before. In fact I really never thought about cowboys in Canada until then ( and after bein' around some buckaroo's :) He shore is good, and uh ...... well lot's o' us fellers go into town to make a "decent" livin' fer our families ....... sometimes fer years :(
@cyrilmajor This song was included on Ian and Sylvia's 1967 album "So Much For Dreaming". I actually prefer that original version since I'm an acoustic fanatic. I've song this song for many years now. But Ian is still Ian, even electrified, and this song is beautifully done.
Ian Tyson is a dear friend of mine, Him and my other old dear friend George Brooks bought a horse named "Docs Summer Wages" who is the father of my colt. He is a great boy and has a pure heart just like his sire and Ian
the coment was about the term not the job that was being done. which as a northwest logger , oilfeild roughneck, truck driver, cowboy, i personally have not come accross the use of this phrsae elsewere , so maybe you have. peehase you need to reread my post again. thanks so much
Ian Tyson worked as my grandpa's deckhand he wrote this song about the crew that my grandpa ran. The stories that he tells about this song are sooo true to this day. the old days on tugboats going up the BC coast are way better than the days myself and every BC mariner spend. if you actually knew what went on in those days you would be mind boggled and facsinated
@NovaScotian1992 listen to the lyrics carefully. Summer wages means log towing on the BC coast which is the main tugboat work on this coast and has been for over 150 years. My family has met Ian a couple of occasions he explained that he wrote that song on a memory with the old crew and my grandpa. and log towing only happends 6 months of the year bcc the other 6 months theres too much snow in the bush for loggers to do any logging listen carefully.........
@helmertyee Summer wages is a term used in ranch country it refurs to the time when workers are in higher need(harder to get so moniey is good), round ups, trail driving,etc. this beautiful song certainly is about a summer job when money is good, a tow boat job sence you have pointed it out, and i will enjoy the song more now that i know that( is that possible) but does not mean summer wages is about towing logs.
@1wyeast I understand that the term summer wages is used in ranch work. It is also used in the towboating,logging,fishing,mining,farming etc. but, the idea of this song perticulars itself around the old days living the lifestyle of a towboater on the BC coast. the meaning is just not used by ranchers but, by every industry. listen to the lyrics carefully
@helmertyee In his recent Autobiography "The Long Trail", Ian claims that this song "Summer Wages" was inspired by his summers working for Brewster in Banff, Alberta. They played blackjack while waited to get trips for the taxis and buses.
The best concert I've ever been to in six decades was by Ian and his band on an outdoor stage in Fallon NV to an audience of ranch families. What a great, great artist!!!
Thanks, but I am still almost sure he did do the best version with Sylvia, I could be wrong, but I'm sure it was more up tempo, and some of the words are different in the one I remember hearing on the radio.
@henerymag ...the version with Sylvia is on the "So Much For Dreaming" album; it is, as you say, a bit more up tempo, and there are some very slight lyric changes.
What a treasure this man is, not just to Canada, or the west, but to all of us. He's almost too good to be real, a cowboy with the soul of a poet. I had the honor of hearing him perform in Albuquerque once. Totally engrossing. I used to listen to Ian and Sylvia records when I was in college (late 60s) and he just got better and better.
Oh, mg !! one of the best !!! Haven't heard this since a wee child , but absoultley one , of the best songs wriiten for the West Coast of NORTH .AMERICA & FOR & ALL THOSE OTHERS FROM , EACH & EVERY COUNTRY ,,, ALL THE MEN , WOMEN , WHO WORK & WORKED IN THE IN THE LOGGING INDUSTRY !!!
There's not too many out there that ever could live up to even one of their original country or otherwise songs, life style wise or otherwise! Let's just say this man will be missed here and well,.... the Good Lord's prob happy to have him back home ya think???!!!! I would have been proud to know this man, his music lives on.....and on....
@UniversalAdjCo umm, what are you talking about? Ian is alive and well, still performing and running his ranch. If there's a rumour to the contrary going round, that's all it is.
Good job too. He could rest on his laurels any time, but he always turns out to have more great songs in him.
@UniversalAdjCo Brother I'm glad to hear this rumor is Bunk! If ya know this Bro direct tell 'em we're still here the boys and all from here to well....at least Canada! God Bless... We need some new tunes as my 8 track is well just gett'in worn out!
@UniversalAdjCo~ ~ ~ didn't know had passed will never be forgotton ~ ~ ~ his boot prints are deeply embedded in the Rockies from Mexico to the Royal Borialas to many people have no Idea who he IS cuz he will never Die ~ ~ ~
Ian Tyson has great intros to his music. Especially good with this version of the song. Listen to the intro music before the vocal starts...you already know it is Ian Tyson.
I was turned on to the music of Ian Tyson, John Prine, Steve Goodman, Jerry Jeff Walker, New Riders... and many others back in '76 when I Was 15 years old and invited to play in a working country band with my friend's long haired older brother. What a gift that was for me! Thanks for the ride Conrad, Peter, Marty and Gary! - Steve.
when I was in Elko (Nevada) home of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, I heard Ian sing this song live.. it was incredible, and one of my dad's favorite songs..
YouTube uses recognition software to hunt down good tunes like this (something about copyright..). I've used up several copies of this album, so thanks for posting.
I am born and bred in a Vancouver suburb starting in 1953. I lived the life Ian is singing about and he tells the story just as it really was back in the day. When I listen to him I still see the mamoth trees that we felled and loaded onto the massive logging trucks. They don't make them like that anymore. It was truly an experience to behold.
candu9 2 weeks ago
I first heard this on the radio up north by the "border". Never heard o' Ian before. In fact I really never thought about cowboys in Canada until then ( and after bein' around some buckaroo's :) He shore is good, and uh ...... well lot's o' us fellers go into town to make a "decent" livin' fer our families ....... sometimes fer years :(
just good, purty work!
xAZpuncher 3 weeks ago
too the 2 numnuts' for posting negative comments. Go hang yourselves Vegetarians? Muslims...........
polishprick78 1 month ago
Thanx for posting this.My best friend lives in Kingston.
araggedman 1 month ago
Thanks for posting...I am from Dartmouth....love all your postings!!!!
charmjac68 1 month ago
@charmjac68
Always nice to see someone close to home! Thanks for the comment & I'm glad you like them!
NovaScotian1992 1 month ago
just getting into Ian lately, can't believe I didn't discover him earlier, he's phenomenal.
JohnnyCashIsGod 1 month ago
What a story this ballad tells! Ian is such a great story-teller with his music --
threemississippi 2 months ago in playlist YouTube Mix for Ian Tyson
I saw Ian in concert about 10 years ago, all acoustic, awesome sound, I have always loved Ian Tyson's music, and I miss Sylvia.
shamrock4500 2 months ago
@cyrilmajor This song was included on Ian and Sylvia's 1967 album "So Much For Dreaming". I actually prefer that original version since I'm an acoustic fanatic. I've song this song for many years now. But Ian is still Ian, even electrified, and this song is beautifully done.
sjbaldwin11 2 months ago
Ian Tyson is a dear friend of mine, Him and my other old dear friend George Brooks bought a horse named "Docs Summer Wages" who is the father of my colt. He is a great boy and has a pure heart just like his sire and Ian
allnaturalcowboy 4 months ago
When was Summer wages written?
cyrilmaher 5 months ago in playlist ian tyson
One of my all time favorities
06279100 5 months ago
Real good Cowboy Country Music,Thanks for posting !!!!Love it!!
BarTRanch 7 months ago
I just love this song and his rendition of it. Thanks so much for posting it.
pattioororke 7 months ago 3
@pattioororke
You are very welcome
NovaScotian1992 7 months ago
the coment was about the term not the job that was being done. which as a northwest logger , oilfeild roughneck, truck driver, cowboy, i personally have not come accross the use of this phrsae elsewere , so maybe you have. peehase you need to reread my post again. thanks so much
1wyeast 8 months ago
Ian Tyson worked as my grandpa's deckhand he wrote this song about the crew that my grandpa ran. The stories that he tells about this song are sooo true to this day. the old days on tugboats going up the BC coast are way better than the days myself and every BC mariner spend. if you actually knew what went on in those days you would be mind boggled and facsinated
helmertyee 9 months ago 5
@helmertyee
Do you have any idea what the song is called?
NovaScotian1992 9 months ago
@NovaScotian1992 listen to the lyrics carefully. Summer wages means log towing on the BC coast which is the main tugboat work on this coast and has been for over 150 years. My family has met Ian a couple of occasions he explained that he wrote that song on a memory with the old crew and my grandpa. and log towing only happends 6 months of the year bcc the other 6 months theres too much snow in the bush for loggers to do any logging listen carefully.........
helmertyee 9 months ago 2
@helmertyee
Ahh yes! That makes sense. And I miss-read your first comment, my apologies.
NovaScotian1992 9 months ago
@helmertyee Summer wages is a term used in ranch country it refurs to the time when workers are in higher need(harder to get so moniey is good), round ups, trail driving,etc. this beautiful song certainly is about a summer job when money is good, a tow boat job sence you have pointed it out, and i will enjoy the song more now that i know that( is that possible) but does not mean summer wages is about towing logs.
1wyeast 8 months ago
@1wyeast I understand that the term summer wages is used in ranch work. It is also used in the towboating,logging,fishing,mining,farming etc. but, the idea of this song perticulars itself around the old days living the lifestyle of a towboater on the BC coast. the meaning is just not used by ranchers but, by every industry. listen to the lyrics carefully
helmertyee 8 months ago
@helmertyee Wow! Great story! I heard him in concert a few years ago (with "the two Gords"), and I would love to cross paths with him in person.
stpetric 3 months ago
@NovaScotian1992 song is called summer wage's!
rickheft 7 months ago
@helmertyee In his recent Autobiography "The Long Trail", Ian claims that this song "Summer Wages" was inspired by his summers working for Brewster in Banff, Alberta. They played blackjack while waited to get trips for the taxis and buses.
bighank99 8 months ago
The best concert I've ever been to in six decades was by Ian and his band on an outdoor stage in Fallon NV to an audience of ranch families. What a great, great artist!!!
cdbattis 9 months ago
What can you say about Ian Tyson? Except He Was and Is Pure Perfection:)
oldtl345 10 months ago
His songs have such a Honkey Tonk Vibe
quickdrawmcgraw3 10 months ago
The best of the best......Mr. Tyson:):) xoxoxoxo
skilski2003 10 months ago
A wonderful video, great voice, nice horse. Greetings Dieter
DieterLo1 11 months ago
kind of makes the music of today .....well not that good
brownpaver 11 months ago
This does not sound like the original I remember, was the original done with Sylvia?.
barrygioportmorien1 1 year ago
@barrygioportmorien1 This is the original. I don't believe he ever sung this with Sylvia.
henerymag 9 months ago
@henerymag
Thanks, but I am still almost sure he did do the best version with Sylvia, I could be wrong, but I'm sure it was more up tempo, and some of the words are different in the one I remember hearing on the radio.
barrygioportmorien1 9 months ago
@henerymag ...the version with Sylvia is on the "So Much For Dreaming" album; it is, as you say, a bit more up tempo, and there are some very slight lyric changes.
cjbenh 8 months ago
What a treasure this man is, not just to Canada, or the west, but to all of us. He's almost too good to be real, a cowboy with the soul of a poet. I had the honor of hearing him perform in Albuquerque once. Totally engrossing. I used to listen to Ian and Sylvia records when I was in college (late 60s) and he just got better and better.
tgbedini 1 year ago
The lyrics could'nt have hit home any closer.
Supergobro 1 year ago
Oh, mg !! one of the best !!! Haven't heard this since a wee child , but absoultley one , of the best songs wriiten for the West Coast of NORTH .AMERICA & FOR & ALL THOSE OTHERS FROM , EACH & EVERY COUNTRY ,,, ALL THE MEN , WOMEN , WHO WORK & WORKED IN THE IN THE LOGGING INDUSTRY !!!
yukonnahanni 1 year ago 2
Just keep rollin' on 'till ya get to Vancouver...
macadavy 1 year ago
did Ian ever show up on grand ole opery?
wizardbase 1 year ago
One of my favorite tunes by Ian Tyson
wizardbase 1 year ago
There's not too many out there that ever could live up to even one of their original country or otherwise songs, life style wise or otherwise! Let's just say this man will be missed here and well,.... the Good Lord's prob happy to have him back home ya think???!!!! I would have been proud to know this man, his music lives on.....and on....
UniversalAdjCo 1 year ago
@UniversalAdjCo umm, what are you talking about? Ian is alive and well, still performing and running his ranch. If there's a rumour to the contrary going round, that's all it is.
Good job too. He could rest on his laurels any time, but he always turns out to have more great songs in him.
billsdubious 1 year ago
@UniversalAdjCo Brother I'm glad to hear this rumor is Bunk! If ya know this Bro direct tell 'em we're still here the boys and all from here to well....at least Canada! God Bless... We need some new tunes as my 8 track is well just gett'in worn out!
UniversalAdjCo 1 year ago
@UniversalAdjCo~ ~ ~ didn't know had passed will never be forgotton ~ ~ ~ his boot prints are deeply embedded in the Rockies from Mexico to the Royal Borialas to many people have no Idea who he IS cuz he will never Die ~ ~ ~
jeffjj54 1 year ago
The easy one is the best one. Thank you.
reitoe 1 year ago
Let;s go....
UniversalAdjCo 1 year ago
Doesnt get any better than this!!
usaatc 1 year ago
Ian Tyson has great intros to his music. Especially good with this version of the song. Listen to the intro music before the vocal starts...you already know it is Ian Tyson.
leeraine1 1 year ago
The best. Period.
gwmacdonald 1 year ago
i'm wondering where the hell my summer wages went to.
mattgraham69 1 year ago
The imagery in this song is unparallelled- unless it be The Gift!
anvilsring 1 year ago
Perfection! He touches my soul....Thank you
surfcottage 1 year ago 8
@surfcottage
Your Welcome
NovaScotian1992 1 year ago
@surfcottage Hi my friend. Nice to see your comment. I'm just strolling around the Ian and Sylvia videos.
macpduff 1 year ago
I was turned on to the music of Ian Tyson, John Prine, Steve Goodman, Jerry Jeff Walker, New Riders... and many others back in '76 when I Was 15 years old and invited to play in a working country band with my friend's long haired older brother. What a gift that was for me! Thanks for the ride Conrad, Peter, Marty and Gary! - Steve.
gwonyahoreya 2 years ago
@gwonyahoreya Have you yet grasped what these people have contributed?
jamesrfraser1 1 year ago
when I was in Elko (Nevada) home of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, I heard Ian sing this song live.. it was incredible, and one of my dad's favorite songs..
dundonrl 2 years ago
One of my all time favourites.
QWZXM 2 years ago
Ian Tyson is great, please dont remove this!
MrAzrancher 2 years ago
The finest version of the greatest song ever written. I hope it stays posted.
wjob48 2 years ago 8
I'm glad you enjoy it.
And I have no intentions on removing it.
NovaScotian1992 2 years ago
YouTube uses recognition software to hunt down good tunes like this (something about copyright..). I've used up several copies of this album, so thanks for posting.
wjob48 2 years ago
Yeah, I've fallen victim to that many times.
Oh well, i Hope it stays up.
NovaScotian1992 2 years ago