We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Ballad of Maud Watt

from Stories from the Northwest by Saltwater Hank

/

about

This is the first single off my debut album "Stories from the Northwest"

The whole album was recorded using a single ribbon mic straight to 1/4" analog tape.

Here's the story that inspired the tune:

In the winter of 1930, Maud Watt, braving -45C temperatures, set out on a dogsled journey to meet with the Minister of Colonization about creating a beaver sanctuary. Due to the dwindling beaver populations, the Cree community in Northern Quebec that she'd come to know so well had begun to starve. Maud Watt succeeded in her endeavor, and by 1944, the beaver population had returned to stable levels.

lyrics

The hunger has hit like a coal-fired train
& if I don't starve I'll still feel the pain
For dozens have passed and I know them by name
For a beaver-pelt hat that can't keep out the rain

Those pelts are like gold and the rush is on
Going to stack them all up until they're all gone
I'm driving my sleigh to the Ottawa line
I've been marking my days with the passage of time

The creek doesn't flood the way it did before
You won't hear a tail slap down by the shore
There's a man standing there at my log cabin door
He wants to give to the rich and steal from the poor

The crackling flame in the firebox glows
With the comforting pain of 20 miles to go
We've got to press on through the deepest of snow
While the late morning sun shows us where to go

credits

from Stories from the Northwest, released May 5, 2018
Chloe Nakahara - fiddle
Naomi Kavka & Amy Blanding - Vocal harmonies
Brin Porter - Upright bass
Danny Bell - percussion

Written & arranged by Saltwater Hank

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Saltwater Hank image

Saltwater Hank Prince Rupert, British Columbia

If you wish, send etransfer to saltwaterhank@gmail.com and specify which album(s) you'd like! 😁

contact / help

Contact Saltwater Hank

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Saltwater Hank, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Fabiana Palladino stops by to talk about her mesmeric debut LP.
listen now