The Wild Goose
Wade Hemsworth Lyrics
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While mending my tumpline I hear the geese calling
Over the brule, long clamouring cry
Flying formation against the grey sky
Comes the wild goose
The wild goose
High over the north shore
The river is open but the lake's frozen over
It′s time to pack out when so late in October
Winter's a-coming, the wild geese know
We've had a long fall and its time to go
With the wild goose
The wild goose
High over the north shore
And I′m going home
I′ve made lots of money, got money to burn
And when I have spent it I know I'll return
After the freeze-up, when snow is dry
For to work in the tall woods-- I wish that I
Were a wild goose
A wild goose
High over the north shore
And I′m going home
I've worked in the bush and spent money in town
I′d like to get married but I can't settle down
At the last portage, when I′ll pack no more
Let me fly with the wild goose high over north shore
With the wild goose
The wild goose
High over the north shore
And I'm going home
The lyrics to Wade Hemsworth's song "The Wild Goose" embody a deep longing for freedom, simplicity, and a connection to nature. The song tells the story of a narrator who finds himself on the Pukaskwa River, mending his tumpline, which is a strap used to carry heavy loads. In the early morning, he hears the call of the wild geese flying over the brule, creating a long clamoring cry against the gray sky.
The mention of the river being open while the lake is frozen over suggests a transition between seasons, with late October signaling the approach of winter. The singer acknowledges that it's time to pack up and go home, as winter is imminent. The wild geese, with their innate understanding of nature's rhythms, serve as a guiding force, signaling the need to move on.
The second verse reflects a desire for simplicity and a yearning to return home. The singer mentions having made plenty of money but ultimately feeling unfulfilled. Despite the availability of resources, the singer longs for the opportunity to work in the tall woods, to engage in labor that feels connected to the natural world.
The final verse captures a sense of restlessness and an inability to settle down. The singer has experienced both the bustle of town life and the solitude of working in the bush. The desire to get married and start a settled life is present, but it is overshadowed by a deep yearning to be free like the wild geese. The wild geese serve as a symbolic representation of the singer's desire for adventure, freedom, and connection to the natural world.
Line by Line Meaning
On Pukaskwa river so early this morning
I find myself on the Pukaskwa river early in the morning
While mending my tumpline I hear the geese calling
As I fix my tumpline, I listen to the sound of the geese calling
Over the brule, long clamouring cry
Their cry resonates loudly over the barren land
Flying formation against the grey sky
They fly together, in a precise formation, against the gray sky
Comes the wild goose
Here comes the wild goose
The wild goose
It's the wild goose
High over the north shore
Flying high above the northern shoreline
And I′m going home
And I am longing to return to my home
The river is open but the lake's frozen over
While the river remains unfrozen, the lake has turned to ice
It's time to pack out when so late in October
Late October signals the need to leave and pack up
Winter's a-coming, the wild geese know
The wild geese are aware that winter is approaching
We've had a long fall and its time to go
After a prolonged autumn, it's time to depart
I've made lots of money, got money to burn
I have earned a significant amount of money and have excess to spend
And when I have spent it I know I'll return
Once I have exhausted my funds, I am certain to come back
After the freeze-up, when snow is dry
Following the freezing period, when the snow is powdery
For to work in the tall woods-- I wish that I
I long to work in the dense woods
Were a wild goose
If only I were a wild goose
A wild goose
Just like the wild goose
High over the north shore
Flying high above the northern shoreline
And I'm going home
And I am longing to return to my home
I've worked in the bush and spent money in town
I have labored in the wilderness and spent money in the city
I'd like to get married but I can't settle down
Although I desire marriage, I am unable to find stability
At the last portage, when I'll pack no more
When I reach the final portage and can no longer carry my belongings
Let me fly with the wild goose high over north shore
Allow me to soar with the wild goose, high above the northern shoreline
With the wild goose
Alongside the wild goose
The wild goose
It's the wild goose
High over the north shore
Flying high above the northern shoreline
And I'm going home
And I am longing to return to my home
Writer(s): Wade Hemsworth
Contributed by Jeremiah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@RolloffDeBunk
He paints such a vivid picture of the north country that I can actually hear the geese under his voice. Well done Wade! We love you.
@gdgest
5*^ Awesome video of Albert Wade Hemsworth a decade before he passed. A true wordsmith if there ever was one. Thanks for sharing. :-)
@rdvqc
I never knew there was a video of this performance. I have it on cassette recorded of CBC 1. I recorded a lot of SoaS (as I marked it on the tiny labels). Sat AM was 90 mins of Max Ferguson, 30 mins of the original radio version of Royal Canadian Air Farce then 60 minutes of SoaS. 5 grand years it went on. Of course, as a Montrealler, Wade will always have a special spot along with his symbiotic relationship with the McGarrigles.
@lloydlittle
rdvqc group 0f seven paintings
@BIGMOUTHLOUIS
About 50 passed over just now.
@dabatswag5975
:))
@willzer808
I was going to say something, but it would be unfitting, so i'll just be on my way