"Land of the Silver Birch" is a traditional Canadian folk song that dates from the 1920s. The lyrics are sometimes erroneously attributed to Pauline Johnson, perhaps in confusion with her well-known poem, "The Song My Paddle Sings".[1] It is sometimes sung to keep time while canoeing, and sometimes sung at campfires in a round. It is in Aeolian, or natural minor, but may be sung with a raised sixth, creating a Dorian feel.
Its subject matter is a romanticized vision of nature and the land from the perspective of an Indigenous person. Bonnie Dobson sang this song on her 1972 self-titled album. This song appears in the Paul Gross film Men with Brooms (2002). In 2005, the song was partly re-written by Canadian folk singer Dickson Reid and released on his debut album, Sugar in the Snow.
Lyrics
Like most traditional songs the lyrics vary slightly. The following are representative:
Land of the silver birch Home of the beaver Where still the mighty moose Wanders at will
Refrain: Blue lake and rocky shore I will return once more boomdidi boom boom – boomdidi boom boom – boomdidi boom boom boom
High on a rocky ledge I'll build my wigwam (Alternate version: There where the blue lake lies, I'll set my wigwam)[2] Close to the water's edge Silent and still
Refrain
My heart grows sick for thee Here in the low lands I will return to thee Hills of the north
It is related to a similar song "My Paddle's Keen and Bright" (Playⓘ), written by Margaret Embers McGee (1889–1975) in 1918,[3] which is used to keep time paddling and is frequently intermingled:
My paddle's keen and bright Flashing with silver Follow the wild goose flight (other known colloquial versions of this line exist, including: Follow the pale moonlight, and Follow the waters light.) Dip, dip and swing
Dip, dip and swing her back Flashing with silver Swift as the wild goose flies Dip, dip and swing
Alternative lyrics
The lyrics of this song can be quite different depending on who you talk to and what region of Canada they are from. Some possible variations and additional verses:[citation needed]
Deep in the forest Down in the lowlands My heart cries out for thee Hills of the North
Swift as a silver fish Canoe of birch bark Thy mighty waterways Carry me forth
Though I am forced to flee Far from my homeland I will return to thee Hills of the North[4]
High as an eagle soars Over the mountains My spirit rises up Free as a bird[5]
A French version, "Terre du bouleau blanc", was distributed by Orff Canada.[6]
In 1979 the Canadian Cultural Workers' Committee, a musical group associated with the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist), released a song on their album 'The Party is the Most Precious Thing' titled 'Death to the Traitors' which takes its melody from "Land of the Silver Birch" but with new communist lyrics about destroying imperialism and capitalism in Canada and uniting the Canadian working class.[7]
"Silver Birch" in the Scouts and Guiding movement
Since the 1930s, the song has been popular with Scouts and Girl Guides. Its origin is unclear.
It is sung regularly at Canadian Scout and Guide camps, including Doe Lake, Camp Maple Leaf, Camp Wenonah (co-educational camp) and Camp Peaceful Waters in Quebec's lower Laurentians.
In the 2019 film Brotherhood, directed by Richard Bell is based on a true story of a 1926 canoeing accident in an Ontario, Canada lake at a boys' summer camp. Ten boys and a camp counsellor died, when their 30-foot canoe capsized.[10] The boys' hearty rendition of Land of the Silver Birch as the canoe trip began, is replayed throughout the film in subdued tones, reflecting the survivors' struggle to stay alive in the dark, frigid waters.[11]
^Richard Bell (director), Mehernaz Lentin, Anand Ramayya (producers) (20 July 2019). Brotherhood. Canada: Industry Pictures, Karma Film. 96 minutes in.
