When the Rivers Ran Red

The city I live in is named Port Coquitlam. The word Coquitlam is derived from the indigenous Coast Salish Word “kʷikʷəƛ̓əm” which roughly translates to “Red Fish Up the River”, as this was the place where the rivers would flow red with the annual salmon migrations.  This song started as a short story, then a poem and now a song. It’s about a mother, and her son, who becomes a warrior.

I want to thank the amazing Ben Crosby for his contributions to this song. He co-produced, plays acoustic guitar and cajon and sings harmony. It’s still a work in progress but I think it’s coming along nicely. I hope you agree.

Lyrics and Music copyright 2020 Steve Smith (SOCAN)

On the day he was born the river ran red with the fish returning home
The elders blessed the child and his mother kept him warm
This boy with the wide eyes and the hair and skin so fair
He came to the world a fighter and they called him Yellow Bear

His daddy was a hard man worked the mill just east of town
But he took the easy road out when the union shut them down
He had promised her the good life and she loved his pale blue eyes
Many promises in past lives just intentions…in disguise

And the rivers ran red
And the rivers ran red
Every year in late September
When the rivers ran red

On the first day of school he walked with his mother and she kissed him at the door
And his teacher spoke all proper as she taught him how to soar
This boy knew he was different with his smile and crooked teeth
The girls just ran away from him and the boys…they called him “chief”

He learned the ways of the new west and from stories they would draw
His favourite one the hungry bear catching salmon in his claws
He grew smarter and grew stronger and with every passing year
He’d fight the rage inside him and he’d never….show his fear

And the rivers ran red
And the rivers ran red
Every year in late September
When the rivers ran red

On the last day of school he danced with his mother and she gazed into his eyes
And she saw his wandering heart as they felt the darkening skies
He had hit that time in life when every young man has to choose
And he chose the path of the warrior while he wore…his countries shoes

For this boy who never traveled outside those coastal hills
Soon he’d walk on forsaken lands through the desert heat that kills
In the dying days of summer with his unit on patrol
On the bank of an eastern river a mighty battle…did unfold

And the rivers ran red
And the rivers ran red
Every year in late September
When the rivers ran red

Proud mother filled with sadness watched the river for the signs
Of the fish returning home now and the bear not far behind
He had fought with all the spirit of the beast whose name he bore
As around him fire and metal cast his body…..on the shore 

And the rivers ran red
And the rivers ran red
Every year in late September
When the – rivers –  ran – red