The duo started performing together in Toronto in 1959. By 1962, they were living in New York City, where they caught the attention of manager Albert Grossman, who managed Peter, Paul and Mary and would soon become Bob Dylan's manager. Grossman secured them a contract with Vanguard Records and they released their first album late in the year.
Four Strong Winds, their second album, featured title song "Four Strong Winds", written by Ian Tyson. "Four Strong Winds" was a major hit in Canada and ensured their stardom. Years later, the song was named as the greatest Canadian song of all time by the CBC-Radio program 50 Tracks: The Canadian Version.
Their third album, Northern Journey, featured the song "Someday Soon", a composition by Ian Tyson that would rival "Four Strong Winds" in its popularity.
Their fourth album, Early Morning Rain, introduced the work of the couple's fellow Canadian songwriter and performer Gordon Lightfoot through the title song and "(That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me".
In 1969, Ian & Sylvia formed the country rock group Great Speckled Bird.
By 1975, Ian & Sylvia had stopped performing together and soon afterwards were divorced.
In 1992, they were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
In 1994, they were both made Members of the Order of Canada.
Summer Wages
Ian & Sylvia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For you know that the odds won't ride with you
And never leave your woman alone when your friends are out to steal her
Years are gambled and lost like summer wages.
And we'll keep rollin on'til we get to Vancouver
And the woman that I love who's living there
It's been 6 long months and more since I've seen her
And all the beer parlors all down along Main Street
The dreams of the seasons are all spilled down on the floor
All the big stands of timber just waiting for falling
And the hustlers sitting watchfully as they wait there by the door.
So I'll work on the towboats In my slippery city shoes
Which I swore I would never do again
Through the worst fogbound straits where the cedars stand watching
I'll be far off and gone like summer wages.
Ah, she's a woman so fine I may never try to find her
For good memories of what we had before
They should never be changed for they're all that I'll take with me
Now I've gambled and lost my summer wages.
Years are gambled and lost like summer wages.
Copyright Ian Tyson, Slick Fork Music-SOCAN
The song “Summer Wages” by Ian and Sylvia is a melancholic tune that talks about the uncertainty of life and the temporary nature of happiness. The opening verse advises against taking risks when the odds are not in one's favor. The second line then talks about the danger of leaving a loved one alone and being vulnerable to temptation. The third line is the crux of the verse where the metaphor of “summer wages” is introduced. Summer wages are wages paid to workers who harvest seasonal crops. It is a temporary source of income that is often meager and uncertain. When the crop is harvested, the work ends, and there is no guarantee of finding work until the next harvesting season. The metaphor implies that youth and happiness are temporary, and their loss is as inevitable as the end of the summer season.
The second verse continues the theme of uncertainty by talking about the uncertainty of reuniting with a loved one who may have moved on during the absence. The following lines then describe the desolate state of affairs in the bars and the streets where people's dreams and aspirations are shattered as they gamble away their lives. The third verse talks about the singer's job, which he swore he would never do again, but he is forced to take because of the uncertainties of life. The final verse reflects on the singer's lost love and how the memories of their time together are all he has left.
Overall the song is a commentary on the transitory nature of life, temporary joys, and human fallibility.
Line by Line Meaning
Never hit 17 when you play against the dealer
You shouldn't take big risks when playing games of chance because the odds are not in your favor.
For you know that the odds won't ride with you
Trying to beat the odds is not a reliable way to succeed.
And never leave your woman alone when your friends are out to steal her
You should always be loyal to your loved ones and not allow others to undermine your relationship.
Years are gambled and lost like summer wages.
Time and opportunities are fleeting, and it's easy to lose them if you take too many risks or don't appreciate what you have.
And we'll keep rollin on'til we get to Vancouver
We are determined to keep moving forward, no matter how difficult the journey may be.
And the woman that I love who's living there
Someone special is waiting for us when we arrive, and we're eager to be reunited with them.
It's been 6 long months and more since I've seen her
The separation has been difficult and we're anxious to be reunited with our loved one.
She may be gambled and gone like summer wages.
Our separation has been risky, and there's a chance that we may have lost what we had during that time.
And all the beer parlors all down along Main Street
There are many distractions and temptations that can lead us astray from our goals.
The dreams of the seasons are all spilled down on the floor
Many hopes and aspirations may not come to fruition, and it can be disheartening to see them fail.
All the big stands of timber just waiting for falling
There are many opportunities for success and profit, but also many dangers and risks involved.
And the hustlers sitting watchfully as they wait there by the door.
There are many people who are looking for a quick buck, and who may be willing to take advantage of others to achieve their goals.
So I'll work on the towboats In my slippery city shoes
Despite the challenges and risks involved, we are willing to work hard to achieve our goals.
Which I swore I would never do again
We may have had negative experiences in the past, but we are still determined to keep moving forward and working hard.
Through the worst fogbound straits where the cedars stand watching
Even in the most difficult and dangerous situations, we are determined to keep going and not give up.
I'll be far off and gone like summer wages.
Like many other opportunities in life, this experience will not last forever, but we will cherish the memories and lessons we have learned.
Ah, she's a woman so fine I may never try to find her
We have found someone special who we cherish, and we are willing to take risks to hold onto what we have.
For good memories of what we had before
The positive memories we have of our loved ones and our experiences together are more important than anything else.
They should never be changed for they're all that I'll take with me
Our memories and experiences are what shape us and make us who we are, and we should always cherish them and hold onto them.
Now I've gambled and lost my summer wages.
We may have taken risks and lost something along the way, but we have also gained valuable experiences and memories that we will always hold onto.
Years are gambled and lost like summer wages.
Time is a precious commodity that should never be wasted, and we should always appreciate and make the most of the opportunities we have.
Contributed by Caroline T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cindy Cornell
The Creators of Rain
Maybe written by Smokey and His Sister, (released 1967)
Also released by Ian and Sylvia
In the beginning, land was stained
Washed by the sun, desert, and plains
Then the Creators of the Land created rain
I was that barren, wasted land
I was too weak to stand
Then the Creators of Rain created you
High on a mountain growing bare
Land was plenty, trees were rare
Then the Creators of the Rain created air
I was that mountain growing bare
My life was empty, nothing there
Then the Creators of Air created you
There would be no land, no seas
No clouds, no trees for me without you
Life had forgot the caring of
Dreams that were lost to fade above
Then the Creators of Rain created love
I was that dream that love had made
To search in endless hope and faith
Then the Creators of Love created you
Created you, Created you
For me.
Brian Emmanuel Grey
In all the beer parlors
All down along Main Street
The dreams of the season's
Are spilled down on the floor
All the big stands of timber
Wait there just for fallin'
The hookers standing watchfully
Waiting by the door
When Ian sings that one line, "In all the beer parlors...... his voice is transcendent. A voice that reaches a place that is so familiar and so forgotten. This song was played a million times on the old jukebox in The Sintaluta Cafe. It is lost and gone now, just like...
John Moran
This should be added to the list of greatest songs.....EVER. I've heard so many other artists cover this song. David Bromberg, Tony Rice...more. Smiles all around.
B. A. K.
In Ian’s book , “I never sold my saddle” , Sylvia stated an opinion that she believed their albums (Ian &Sylvia) would have sold up to ten times more in the USA if their record company had promoted more aggressively . I agree .
Pat The Roving Brakeman
50 years later and this song is still just as good.
wayne brown
I agree. Along with FOUR STRONG WINDS.,This is iconic
Robert Mazerolle
I am amazed that this song is so overlooked. It's a treasure.
John Wise
Agreed. Lyrical and melodic. I'm learning to play it.
John Lappin
A great singer gone way too soon R I P IAN TYSON. Saw him live in brampton ontario back in the 90s and even got to shake hands with him an excellent performer
wayne brown
This one gets better with AGE. Years are gambled and gone like Summer Wages-Classic.
Jane Blake
This is the version I've been searching for, not the revised version! Thank you for posting this classic.
What talent - both of them. Saw them for the first time in Yorkville back in the early 60s, and at a taping for a show at channel 9 in Toronto a couple of years later. Great talent - both of them!