Just for fun, some Slocan River Streamkeepers have written a couple songs…
“Roll On Slocan River”
Credit to Woodie Guthrie’s “Roll On, Columbia Roll on” (and sung to the tune of)
Green Douglas firs where the waters cut through. Down her wild mountains and canyons she flew. Canada Northwest to the oceans so blue. Roll on Columbia, roll on
Roll on Columbia Roll on Roll on Columbia Roll on, Your power is turning our darkness to dawn. So roll on, Columbia, roll on?
Canada’s gift to Columbia flows free, dam less and wild – an anomaly.
Slocan by name where valley folk see their own Slocan River roll on
Now image with me – I go back in earth’s mind to a long distant past and a very cold clime. Instead of a river – Glaciers frozen in time, waters waiting a chance to flow free
Now the Glaciers are melting, the valley has warmed, Humans moved in and made it their home. Clear mountains, rich forests, lush gardens, clean air while through them the river flows on
Flow on Slocan River flow on, Flow on Slocan River Flow on. Will high mountain glaciers melt slowly to ponds? For now, Slocan river flows on
Sustain is a word that the valley folk say they use it with pride, saying “it is our way”
Sustain means uphold – support what you know, but change is the norm in an ecoscenario
Change is for real – just take a look around. Have you noticed the weather?
Is your head in the ground? The river is life – its change you can see
There’s a new force at work now…. came with you & me
Roll on Slocan River Roll on, Roll on Slocan River roll on
You’ve given your water so life can be strong. But, what have we given to you?
You can snorkel the river with mask and some fins. Get hold of a tube and proceed to jump in – just remember your waste when you’re starting to swim
Cause…. garbage in time goes back to the soil but what about rip/rap, clear cuts and car oil? These things can’t be “sustained”, which means we won’t “maintain” Slocan river’s life waters that flow.
Roll on Slocan River Roll on, Roll on Slocan River roll on. You’ve taken our waste, you’ve taken it well, but surely its burden is starting to tell.
Here in the Slocan there’s a small group of friends who’ve studied the river from beginning to end. They’ve looked at the fish, water shoreline and bugs, made maps from air photos with a struggle and hugs.
They then took their notepads and, without a boat, jumped into the river and began to float – they noted where life especially abounds and where waters were lifeless – no fish could be found.
That’s why I’m asking, directing to you. Seek out a Streamkeeper – ask a question or two
Something is wrong with our river and land. Please ask them, so then we will all understand.
Learn what their studies have found to be true. Then, lets talk about what, we all want to do. Conserve and restore, protect and help heal the river we all love so well.
We can do this because,
The people who live beside the Slocan are fierce in their love for the river and land
Outsiders are suspect, Governments banned. Simply put, this river is … in yours and my hands.
Roll on, Slocan River Roll on, Roll on, Slocan River Roll on. Once a degraded river, on its way to amends. So Roll on Slocan River, Roll on
Roll On Slocan River Roll on, Slocan River Roll on. We left you your power, so you can be strong Now, we’ll help you to keep flowing on.
Slocan River Streamkeepers 