The Far North Land

My father enjoyed singing, particularly when the family went on road trips. One of our favorite songs that he sang was "The Far North Land." The text of the song is below. Several years ago, my sister recorded our father singing this song for use on the soundtrack of one of her movies. I recently transcribed the song from that recording and used it as the foundation for this piece. My aunts tell me they recall my father singing this song when he was a boy growing up in Minnesota, and that they referred to it as "Fletch's song." It was only while working on this piece that I discovered that Duncan, Clear Water and Bear Skin are actual lakes in the border lakes region where Minnesota meets Canada.

The Far North Land is dedicated to my sister, Gail Bartholomew Gilbert.

This recording is of the world premiere performance by the OdeonQuartet at Seattle's Town Hall on October 21, 2003. The odeonquartet's preview performance was also broadcast live around the world on the internet and the radio on Classic KING 98.1 FM on October 20, 2003.

The Far North Land

It's the Far North Land that's a-calling me away,
as take I with my pack sack to the road.
It's the call on me of the forest in the North,
as step I with the sunlight for my load.

By Lake Duncan and Clear Water to the Bear Skin I will go,
where you see the loon and hear its plaintive wail.
If you're thinking in your inner heart I swagger in my step,
you've never been along the Border Trail.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Greg Bartholomew
• Fletcher Bartholomew
• Gail Gilbert
• Odeon Quartet
• OdeonQuartet
• The Far North Land
• road trip
• song
• hiking song
• boy scout song
• Lake Duncan
• Clearwater
• Bear Skin
• string quartet
• Border Trail
• Boundary Waters
• Boundary Waters Canoe Area