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Pioneer Trail

from Valley Home by Joe Vickers

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about

When the hinterland of the Canadian West opened, three primary groups of pioneers tread the path to settlement in the Red Deer Valley - homesteaders, entrepreneurs, and miners. Prior to their arrival, however, this region was traditionally known as an important crossing point for the nomadic Blackfoot who traveled north each summer toward the Handhills, where they hunted buffalo. The Indigenous population had previously sought out the easiest slopes to traverse into the valley; their tracks lie beneath the imprint of the land’s colonization.

lyrics

The spokes were spinning
On a wagon wheel
Destined for the pastures
South of the Handhills

Beating down a new path
Over native treads
Leading toward
The founded homestead

I rustled me herd
Of cattle along
We crossed the creek
Then circled the canyon

Until the gentlest slope
Allowed for a descent
Down into the valley
The trail ended

The Pioneer Trail, the Pioneer Trail led
To the entrance of the prairie hinterland
Ranching cattle and breaking the land
I found settlement on the hinterland

The frozen Red Deer River
Served as a highway
For the car I hired
To drive me

Where a deal was pending
Between Greentree and I
I sought to transform the
Seams into a work site

We signed a deal on Sunday
His homestead I bought
But the lease was split
When doubted in the court of law

But as the tracks stretched
Into land we claimed
The district acquired
The title of my name

The Pioneer Trail, the Pioneer Trail led
To the entrance of the prairie hinterland
With an interest as a businessman
I found settlement on the hinterland

From Pennsylvania
I traveled to these hills
Where jobs were more plentiful
Than men could fill

I jumped off the freighter
At the first camp we passed
The boss gave me a
Pair of overhauls and a head lamp

I bunked in with some foreigners
In a makeshift shack
Figured I’d make some dough
Before returning to the tracks

But my story unraveled
Like other immigrants
Here within the badlands
My roots were planted

The Pioneer Trail, the Pioneer Trail led
To the entrance of the prairie hinterland
I built anew with my two bare hands
I found settlement on the hinterland

credits

from Valley Home, released July 19, 2011

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about

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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