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Somewhere beyond those distant hills is where I long to be,
The rivers and the lonely lakes are calling out to me,
Saying, come back home, old man, back where you belong,
'Cause time for you is running out, you've been gone too long.
So take me to the country just the way it used to be,
To once more ride her rivers and sleep beneath the trees,
Stand and watch that morning sun spread out across the land,
And if I only live one day, I'll die a happy man.
When I was such a young man I led a trapper's life,
The country was my living, the country was my life;
The country was my comfort, my companion and my home,
Of all the years I've travelled there I've never felt alone.
So take me to the country just the way it used to be,
To once more ride her rivers and sleep beneath the trees,
Stand and watch that morning sun spread out across the land,
And if I only live one day, I'll die a happy man.
I know my days are numbered, but I have few regrets,
It's too late to be dreaming, but not too late to wish;
If I could only have my way and do what's on my mind,
I'd trade away tomorrow for a ticket back in time.
So take me to the country just the way it used to be,
To once more ride her rivers and sleep beneath the trees,
Stand and watch that morning sun spread out across the land,
And if I only live one day, I'll die a happy man.
Recorded by Harry Martin on a compilation album: (Our Labrador, trk#4, 1993, Butter & Snow Productions, produced by Glen Tilley/Shirley Montague, recorded at Studio F, CBC Radio, St. John's, NL and engineered by Terry Winsor); and (Broken Wings, trk#5, 2000, Eagle Studios, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL, produced and engineered by Bob Moore).
Liner Notes: Harry Martin wrote this song for his old friend, Henry Mesher. A trapper all his life, Mr. Mesher indicated a strong desire to return to his trapping grounds once more before he died.
