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Flood of '48

from Valley Home by Joe Vickers

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Flood of ’48

Floods from the Red Deer River are a frequent occurrence in the valley’s history. The most significant flood struck in 1948 when the entire valley, spanning from East Coulee to Nacmine, was completely submerged under water. But like the floods that had occurred before hand, the towns’ relief effort saw the communities unite to assist one another in the face of the chaos.

lyrics

In the spring of 1948
The river broke at a rapid pace
Ice was jammed at the Coulee’s gate
And a dam it did create

The current caught; pressure built
The tributaries quickly filled
Levels rose with only one place to go
So from her banks, she spilt

All the townsfolk were fleeing for higher ground
The river rising up and the city sinking down

If it weren’t for the mercy trip to Wayne
Old Johnny would have been left for dead
They found him lying underneath wet sheets
Surrounded by water in bed

The ponies were trapped in the mine
Mr. Guidolin couldn’t live to see them die
So he tied each tail to a bridle and guided
The train to safety’s side

All the townsfolk were fleeing for higher ground
The river rising up and the city sinking down

Together they banded
All one could do was withstand
And try to tread the lake
Upon the land

On the third day she peaked
At a height of twenty-one feet
All that was left underneath the line
Was washed away with her raging tide


Orders were sent to blow
The East Coulee bridge to let the river flow
The flying debris took the life of Dorothea
The flood ended in tragedy

All the townsfolk were fleeing for higher ground
The river rising up and the city sinking down

credits

from Valley Home, released July 19, 2011

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Joe Vickers Drumheller, Alberta

Farmer by day, troubadour by night, Joe Vickers has logged countless miles on both his combine and tour van. His music explores the human spirit singing of the triumphs and tragedies of everyday life on the prairies.

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