Acadian Driftwood
written by: J.R. Robertson
orginally performed by: The Band
performed live by: Sarah McLachlan & Lilith Fair artists
Lyrics
The hills were smokin’ as the men withdrew
We stood on the cliffs and watched the ships
Slowly sinking to their rendezvous
They signed a treaty and our homes were taken
Loved ones forsaken, they didn’t give a damn
Try to raise a family, end up the enemy
Over what went down on the plains of Abraham
Acadian driftwood, gypsy tail wind
They call my home the land of snow
Canadian cold front movin’ in
What a way to ride, oh, what a way to go
Then some returned to the motherland
The high command had them cast away
And some stayed on to finish what they started
They never parted, they’re just built that way
We had kin livin’ south of the border
They’re a little older and they’ve been around
They wrote in a letter, life is a whole lot better
So pull up your stakes, children and come on down
Acadian driftwood, gypsy tail wind
They call my home the land of snow
Canadian cold front movin’ in
What a way to ride, oh, what a way to go
Fifteen under zero when the day became a threat
My clothes were wet and I was drenched to the bone
Been out ice fishing, too much repetition
Make a man wanna leave the only home he’s known
Sailed out of the Gulf headin’ for Saint Pierre
Nothin’ to declare, all we had was gone
Broke down along the coast but what hurt the most
When the people there said, “You better keep movin’ on”
Acadian driftwood, gypsy tail wind
They call my home the land of snow
Canadian cold front movin’ in
What a way to ride, oh, what a way to go
Everlasting summer filled with ill-content
This government had us walkin’ in chains
This isn’t my turf, this ain’t my season
Can’t think of one good reason to remain
We’ve worked in the sugar fields up from New Orleans
It was ever green up until the floods
You could call it an omen, points you where you’re goin’
Set my compass north, I got winter in my blood
Acadian driftwood, gypsy tail wind
They call my home the land of snow
Canadian cold front movin’ in
What a way to ride, oh, what a way to go
Sais tu, Acadie j’ai le mal du pays
Ta neige, Acadie, fait des larmes au soleil
J’arrive Acadie, teedle um, teedle um, teedle ooh
J’arrive Acadie, teedle um, teedle um, teedle ooh
J’arrive Acadie, teedle um, teedle um, teedle ooh
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