NORTH COUNTRY

(Jimmy Rankin (m & l) )

As sung by the Rankin Family 1993 < North Country >


I'm heading back to the north country
With the cold wind in my eye
I'll be there by sunset
Before the first snow flies.


Rustlin' leaves on the ground
This crazy feelin’ hangin' round
I'll remember now and then
But don't ask when I'll be back again.


Had this dream late one night
'Bout workin’ on the gang of the Mull River drive
Danny, me and Freddie Wright
Making a dollar a day just to stay alive.


Rustlin' leaves on the ground
A cold dark rain comin’ down
Sleepin’ there on the dark, damp earth
For what it's worth, no reason can be found.
No it can’t be found.


So if you're passing through the north country
With the sunset in your eye
You may find me on the rocky shore
Of that lonely isle.


Rustlin' leaves on the ground
A cold hard rain comin’ down
Sleeping there on the dark, damp earth
For what it's worth, no reason can be found.


I'm heading back to the north country
With the cold wind in my eye
I'll be there by sunset
Before the first snow flies.


Rustlin' leaves on the ground
A cold hard rain comin’ down
I'll remember now and then
But don't ask when, I'll be back again.


Rustlin' leaves on the ground
A cold hard rain comin’ down
I'll remember now and then
But don't ask when, I'll be back again.


I'll be back again.

NOTES:

The Rankin Family are a Canadian musical family group. 
They hail from Mabou, province of Nova Scotia 
(the same province as Rita MacNeil 
(see elsewhere in this ILP database for her work).

The original group of five were made up from twelve 
siblings, all of whom were musically talented. 
The first group started singing in 1970. 
They performed Celtic music as well as jigs and reels.

They won a number of Canadian music awards. 
Sadly, many of the members from the original 
group, passed relatively early in life.



(Transcribed by David Story - January 2014)