Ian Tyson lyrics featured in Calgary public art project
Land of Shining Mountains reflects modern urban Alberta, says Tyson
A tribute to longtime Western singer and songwriter Ian Tyson was unveiled today in downtown Calgary.
The Calgary Transit public art piece features the lyrics to Land of Shining Mountains, displayed in glass and stone.
Ald. Druh Farrell says the art project, which is on a transit utility building wall at Seventh Avenue and Ninth Street S.W., was part of a plan to bring poetry to Calgary’s downtown.
She says when they decided on cowboy poetry, it was clear that Ian Tyson was the right fit.
"We went through the lyrics together of all of his songs and, of course, the Land of Shining Mountains really stood out for us. It is a quintessential Alberta song. It's a beautiful song."
Tyson says this is the right song to pick because it reflects a modern urban Alberta. The song is off of his 2005 album Songs From the Gravel Road.
"When Ald. Farrell called me, I guess it’d be year ago now or more, I couldn’t quite grasp the concept of what we were doing," said Tyson, laughing.
"Of course, now that I see it, it’s wonderful and it’s very clear, but I kept thinking New York Subway and graffiti or something."
Local musicians Chris Gheran and John Rutherford sang on the C-Train, while Tim Hus performed at the event.
Tyson's Land of Shining Mountains lyrics are below the video.
In the land of the long roads
High, lonesome prairies
Dreamin' of the springtime
First crocus in the snow
Coffee in a go-cup
He's headed for the oil rig
Land of shining mountains
Big Alberta sky
The old man in the castle
Red deer and the battle
Rivers in a dry land
Feed the cities of the plain
But nothin' lasts forever
On the Great Divide
Land of shining mountains
Big Alberta Sky
In the night, I have heard the thunder roll
In my days, I have felt the wind and rain
Like the cowboy said, I wish I'd seen the buffalo
Maybe they'll come back again
He's gonna get up early
Try and make a dollar
The only girl he wanted
Took the Greyhound for the coast
But she was bound for leavin'
She will not forget him
Or the land of shining mountains
Big Alberta sky
Land of shining mountains
Big Alberta sky