Way Up North

Way Up North

I wrote this song after moving with my wife Cheryl and little dog Ashlie from Winnipeg to Dawson City Yukon Territory in the fall of 1995. The winter of 95/96 was a eye opening experience to say the least. Moving from a city of two plus million to a tiny remote northern town with less than 2000 people in it during the winter months made for an interesting contrast. The funny thing is, we met more people in that winter of 95 than we knew in all the years we lived in a city of millions. Poet (Ivan Coyote), musicians, nurses, police officers, medical practitioners, dancers, teachers, miners, mechanics, all with one common thread, to enjoy the journey. When you’re in a small community like Dawson City you either love it or you hate it. There’s no in between. Admittedly, it was a tough winter in many regards but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and we all grew stronger that long cold winter and have many fond friends and memories from that magical northern town of the last great gold rush.  Way Up North is a reflection on that move to the north and many of the treasures found in the land of the midnight sun. I hope you enjoy listening to the song and find the music a background to your own personal adventure.