DESCRIPTION:
UWO Les Choristes sings The Song My Paddle Sings composed by Matthew Emery
Conducted by Jennifer Moir
Recorded: November 1 2012, London Ontario Canada.


West wind, blow from your prairie nest
Blow from the mountains, blow from the west,
The sail is idle, the sailor too;
Oh wind of the west, we wait for you.
Blow, blow!
I have wooed you so,
But never a favour you bestow.
You rock your cradle the hills between,
But scorn to notice my white lateen.

Be strong, O paddle! be brave, canoe!
The reckless waves you must plunge into.
Reel, reel.
On your trembling keel,
But never a fear my craft will feel.

We've raced the rapid, we're far ahead!
The river slips through its silent bed.
Sway, sway,
As the bubbles spray
And fall in tinkling tunes away.

And up on the hills against the sky,
A fir tree, rocking its lullaby,
Swings, swings,
Its emerald wings,
Swelling the song that my paddle sings.

E. Pauline Johnson
(1862-1913)