Kettle Valley Railroad
music and lyrics by Dave Baker
arranged for SATB choir by Larry Nickel
lyrics
It's the Kettle Valley Railroad, my son,
the Kettle Valley Line.
From Hope through to Princeton, Penticton, past Trail,
to the Crow's Nest - on out to the plain.
A few years ago now, when I was a boy,
I remember so vividly well,
a still mountain lake rimmed with swamp-grass and reeds
and a soft hue when cool darkness fell.
Beside the still water lay steel rails and ties
an old water tower stood by,
so I asked my father, "What is this I see?"
He turned and he said with a smile,
It's the Kettle Valley Railroad, my son,
the Kettle Valley Line.
From Hope through to Princeton, Penticton, past Trail,
to the Crow's nest - on out to the plain.
From off in the distance, so faintly I heard
the wail of an old locie song.
Closer and closer it echoed and rang
through the peace that had lingered so long.
Then all at once came a bright pencil beam
that pierced through the still mountain night.
That old faithful workhouse of black steel and fire
came rolling along into sight.
It's the Kettle Valley Railroad, my son,
the Kettle Valley Line.
From Hope through to Princeton, Penticton, past Trail,
to the Crow's nest - on out to the plain.
A cool drink of water is all that she needs
and then she must be on her way.
There are sixty-six people who trust in her well
to take them to lands far away.
With a hot burst of steam and a heave and a groan
she ventured on into the night.
Her cry of farewell echoed soft though the trees
and memory so dear in my life.
It's the Kettle Valley Railroad, my son,
the Kettle Valley Line.
From Hope through to Princeton, Penticton, past Trail,
to the Crow's nest - on out to the plain.
view part of the score here
please contact Dave directly, regarding the use of this choral music
Phone: 604.466.1726
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