Gord Downie | Liberty Blue Post

September 1, 2016 11:14 AM EDT

This is a time when Canada has the most controversial government in modern history. One that has openly attempted to change Canada’s democracy with it’s ‘Motion 6’, so that the government would have “unilateral control,” putting a “straight jacket” on the opposition. To hear the news, of a true, Proud, Canadian [musical] hero, Gord Downie, having terminal brain cancer, makes it all the more heartbreaking. He has shown Canadians what true patriotism is.

As the Hip made their final tour this summer, we were reminded of our Canadian roots, all the silly things, like even the freezing cold biting at you, that make us love our country so much. The Hip is deeply embedded in not only Canadian pop-culture, but our culture overall. We are reminded many times in The Hip’s songs about great, and, not so great, things Canadiana.

Downie has written songs that remind us of Canada’s history. Going back as far as Jacque Cartier, in the song “Looking for a Place to Happen.”

Jacques Cartier, right this way
I’ll put your coat up on the bed
Hey, man, you’ve got the real bum’s eye for clothes
And come on in, sit right down
No, you’re not the first to show
We’ve all been here since, God, who knows?

Song: Looking for a Place to Happen Album: Fully Completely

Pointing out beautiful Saskatchewan. Most people, even Canadians, are unaware that Saskatoon is unofficially known as “the Paris of the Prairies.” Anyone who has ever been to Saskatoon, will understand.

It also shows how far we have come as a country. How much our government and judicial system has changed, for the greater good, with his heartwrenching tribute, “Wheat Kings.” A man who spent 23 years behind bars, for being in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

Sundown in the Paris of the prairies
Wheat kings have all treasures buried
And all you hear are the rusty breezes
Pushing around the weathervane Jesus

The tragedies, the injustices, the proud moments. No other Canadian musician, or band has written as many songs about Canada as The Hip. Or has touched as many Canadians, and in the way they have. I consider them to be Canada’s “Official Band.” And as Huffington Post Editor, Ryan Maloney said, I can’t even imagine a Canada without him.

I was 15 years old when I first really heard the Hip. My first boyfriend and his Uncles all played guitar. We were sitting around a campfire, which would become a tradition for years to come, when they started playing ‘Blow at High Dough’, then ‘New Orleans is Sinking.’ I had heard these songs on the radio, and already liked them, but when I heard them played acoustically, I fell in love! I’ve been a music lover since I was born. My parents had to play music under my crib as a baby, so that I would sleep. I also love poetry, and a mystique behind lyrics. Which, to me, are important attributes to music, and both uber talents of Gord Downie.

I have put together a list of the TOP 10 Most Canadian Tragically Hip Songs, in no particular order:

The Hip are very well known hockey fans. I myself have 3 kids in hockey. Two girls, who play houseleague, and my son plays rep (travel). So I’m going to start this list with “Fifty Mission Cap.” The song is written about Toronto Maple Leafs star Bill Barilko.

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 13: Bill Barilko's banner hangs in the ceiling of the Air Canada Centre during the Toronto Maple Leafs game against the Edmonton Oilers on March 13, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** — Bill Barilko’s banner hangs in the ceiling of the Air Canada Centre during the Toronto Maple Leafs game against the Edmonton Oilers on March 13, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario.

From their 1992 album, Fully Completely, The Tragically Hip’s song “Fifty Mission Cap,” is the story of Bill Barilko. If it wasn’t for the Hip’s lyrics, we might all but forget. The lyrics say “Bill Barilko disappeated, that summer, in 1951. He was on a fishing trip, on a plane. The last goal he ever scored, in overtime won the Leafs the cup. They didn’t win another ’til 1962, the year he was discovered.”

Bill Barilko is buried at Timmins Memorial Cemetery in Timmins, Ontario.

Song: Fifty Mission Cap Album: Fully Completely

The next song, is one that also has great memories for me. And also put a great Ontario fishing town on the map, Bobcaygeon. For years we went there to a cottage for 2 weeks every summer. This song also resonates back to high school. Sitting around the camp fire, having a few too many beers, while the guys play the Hip on their guitars. This one is always a classic!

I left your house this morning
About a quarter after nine
Could have been the Willie Nelson
Could have been the wine
When I left your house this morning
It was a little after nine
It was in Bobcaygeon, I saw the constellations
Reveal themselves one star at a time

Song: Bobcaygeon Album: Phantom Power

The 100th meridian west, which is the line of longitude that separates Western Canada from the Central and Atlantic regions of Canada. Naturally, this is one of The Hip’s biggest hits.

Me debunk an american myth?
And take my life in my hands?
Where the great plains begin
At the hundredth meridian
At the hundredth meridian
Where the great plains begin

Song: The Hundredth Meridian Album: Fully Completely

On July 10, 1972, 14 inmates locked up in Bath, ON at the maximum security prison, Millhaven Institution, escaped a rec yard by clipping the chain link fencing. A huge mahunt followed and was taken on by police, and Canadian Forces personnel. Canadian Armed Forces soldiers from CFB Trenton, along with 300 police officer, created a trap that eventually led to the capture of the majority of the escapees. That is what the Hip’s song “38 Years Old” is about, except the number of escapees and the year are incorrect (“12 men broke loose in ’73), this was done for rhyming purposes to match the next line (…”from Millhaven maximum security.) But we don’t care, it’s the Hip.

Twelve men broke loose in seventy three
From Millhaven Maximum Security
Twelve pictures lined up across the front page
Seems the Mounties had a summertime war to wage

Song: 38 Years Old Album: Up to Here

This video not only features the Canadian icons, Trailer Park Boys and Don Cherry, it also draws out the Canadian’s sense of isolation during the long, cold winter months. It also has you feeling the chill of the thin and wicked prairie winds.

Come in, come in, come in, come in
From thin and wicked prairie winds come in
It’s warm and it’s safe here and almost heartening
Here in a time and place not lost on our imagination

Song: The Darkest One Album: In Violet Light

The beautiful lull
The dangerous tug
We get to feel small
From high up above
And after a glimpse
Over the top
The rest of the world
Becomes a gift shop

There’s nothing more Canadian than the Canadian Falls!

Song: Gift Shop Album: Trouble at the Henhouse

Again we’re seeing the greatest Canadian sport referenced, hockey. This one in particular is referencing goalies.

I hear your voice cross a frozen lake
A voice from the end of a leaf
Saying, “You won’t die of a thousand fakes
Or be beaten by the sweetest of dekes”

Song: The Lonely End of the Rink Album: World Container

There’s Mistaken Point, Newfoundland
There’s Moonbeam Ontari-ari-o
There are places I’ve never been
And always wanted to go
That’s right

Canadians love to travel, but we seem to do so in every other country but our own. Why don’t we travel more in our own country?

Song: Fly Album: World Container

Writing a song about Lake Memphremagog
And tonight I don’t believe
There are words to spare and be a tip and a nod
Admitting it’s half the defeat

Who has even heard of Lake Memphremagog? Not many people I know. I give it to Downie for using the name of some obscure lake that happens to cross from Quebec into Vermont, into a song.

Song: Problem Bear Album: In Violet Light

This next song title makes reference to the late great Canadian author Hugh MacLennan. It makes particular reference to his 1959 novel “The Watch That Ends the Night” which we see actually paraphrased in the lyrics.

Sleepwalk, so fast asleep
In a motel that has the lay of home
And piss on all of your background
And piss on all your surroundings

Song: Courage Album: Fully Completely

This is a bonus and isn’t “Canadian,” but is a favourite among us. My ALL-TIME FAVOURITE! It has different meanings to different people. As teenagers, this became an “anthem” as every person had a story they could relate.

First thing we’d climb a tree and maybe then we’d talk
Or sit silently and listen to our thoughts
With illusions of someday casting a golden light
No dress rehearsal, this is our life

And that’s where the hornet stung me
And I had a feverish dream
With revenge and doubt
Tonight we smoke them out

Now, we must say “Good-Bye.” Good-bye to the greatest band that Canada will ever see. No one again will be “The Hip.” No one will have those same original, eccentric songs. That sound. No one will be Gord Downie. A man so eccentric, you can’t even put him into words. Yet a man, who has managed to touch the lives of millions of Canadians, spanning multiple generations. Never again will we see this. He brought Canadians together, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity etc. Everyone loves The Hip.

Even fellow musician, Pearl Jam lead singer, Eddie Vedder, gave a heartfelt speech during his own concert in Chicago on August 20.

On Saturday August 20, 2016, the Hip played for the very last time, in their hometown of Kingston Ontario, where it all began, so many years ago in 1984. “In Gord We Trust.”

To view their final performance: