“Saskatchewan”

Description

"Saskatchewan, the land of snow, Where winds are always on the blow... And why we stay here no one knows. Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, There's no place like Saskatchewan...." The singer tells of the hard life during Depression and drought

Notes

Saskatchewan, always dry and never rich, became Canada's dust bowl during the 1930s. Drought there was hardly unexpected, but drought, damaged topsoil, and a bad economy made times especially bad. William W. Smith's humorous lament fit right in with the feelings of the locals -- and even with their hopes, as the last verse shows:

But still we love Saskatchewan,

We're proud to say we're native ones,

So count your blessings drop by drop;

Next year we'll have a bumper crop." - RBW

Cross references

• cf. "Beulah Land" (tune)
• cf. "Dakota Land" (tune, theme)

Recordings

• Jim Young, "Saskatchewan" (on Saskatch01)

References

1. Fowke/Mills/Blume, pp. 208-211, "Saskatchewan" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. Ohrlin-HBT 10, "Saskatchewan" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. DT, SASKATCH*
4. Roud #4525
5. BI, FMB209