Willies Song
tune – Vancouver Song

For a while I had some words but no tune could I find
Until Willie’s ‘Vancouver’ song came flowing to my mind
The music seemed just perfect the words fell into place
So I just continued with its rhythm and its pace.

Now I can reveal to you the words I had in mind
He sings about his exploits as he poached a mountain hind
Along the mountain ridges where the cold and wild wind blows
And his adopted homeland where the mighty Fraser flows.

He sings about the Rockies and their rivals back at home
He knew their secret corries where oft’ times he did roam
Of Gairloch and Loch Tollie and the beauty of Poolewe
With its salmon river and a song about Loch Ewe.

But a silent voice kept calling the Atlantic to re-cross
Though he roamed the Wild Rose land he did return to Ross
To wed a Crofters daughter with Wild Wood in her hair
He could not live without her so he took her back out there.

He now has entertained us with many songs so grand
Alberta and Vancouver’s Isle and Scotland his home land
Of mountains and of sunsets and Gruinard’s golden sand
When he comes home to Ross-shire he’s always in demand.

A song about a raven and the legend of Maree
When the prince came home from war for his bride to see
A song about St. Kilda and the people of the past
Reluctantly they had to leave their island home at last.

From White Rock ‘way out yonder’ to Ross-shire he returns
To fish her lochs and rivers see her mountains and her burns
To watch the golden eagle as it circles from the crag
And who knows perhaps the chance to stalk a royal stag.

A song about his working life where the big winds blow
When he drove a ‘speed-plough’ to clear the winters snow
The ‘headings’ they are endless I’ve mentioned but a few
To a Roving Scottish Exile give praise where it is due.

I could go on for longer but I’ve got to draw a line
We wish to thank you Willie for all your songs so fine
You just keep composing wherever you may be
And send them back to Ross-shire for everyone to see.