On June 29, 2021, an all time Canadian temperature record of 49.6 C (121.3 F) was set in the village of Lytton, BC. The next day, on June 30, a fast moving wildfire came up the Fraser Canyon and overwhelmed the town. Residents were forced to leave everything behind and quickly flee the town within a matter of minutes. Sadly, two residents did not make it out.
This song is about the power of love and survival instinct. I imagined myself there at the moment, not knowing whether or not me, or my family, would survive, driving through burning streets and forest desperately trying to get out.
I can’t help feeling that this is the world many of us that live in forested areas must adjust to. Is Lytton the canary in the coal mine for many of us?
Oh, yeah, I also try a little bit of rap in this song.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Flesh and Bone
copyright 2022 Steve Smith (SOCAN)
There was a time when I felt fine, that time is gone for oh so long, it might be gone to stay
I had this feeling, set me reeling, can’t explain it, just a pain I hope it goes away
As we travel from this violence into silence are we thinking it will be OK?
And if I told you that I loved you and I’m always thinking of you, would you smile and say…
We’re all just flesh and bone
We’re all just flesh and b-o-one
We’re all just flesh and bone
When a spark falls in a tinder box, a summer breeze blows up into a hurricane
As the trees turn into candles, glowing embers streaming endless like some devils rain
Steering wheels between the ledges, melting asphalt on the edges, got to keep it sane
As the worlds becoming fragile, time’s a gift and life’s a battle between love and pain
Sadness, madness, love and pain
49 degrees a hurricane
Melted streets and burnt out cars
Mother nature sayin you gone too, far
I’m driving slowly through the towns remains
In 15 minutes she went up in flames
This is the place where the rivers merge
A pit stop on the golden, surge
Fated friction in the summer swelter
All living things trying to find a shelter
Big engine on the northern run
Wheels screaming up the canyon
We’re all just flesh and bone
We’re all just flesh and b-o-one
We’re all just flesh and bone