Story Behind The Song
I LIVED IN WELLS (NAMED AFTER IT'S FOUNDER AND CHIEF EMPLOYER FRED WELLS)FOR SEVERAL SUMMERS. IN THE 30'S IT WAS A BOOMING GOLDRUSH TOWN. THE SONG IS FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A MINER WHO WOULD HAVE WORKED THERE AT THE TIME
Song Description
REFLECTIONS OF A 30'S MINER
| Song Length |
3:38 |
Genre |
Folk - Contemporary |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Language |
English |
Era |
2000 and later |
Lyrics
WELLS
It took a while to know the fellas in the mine
The ones who lied to get the job - the ones who?ve done some time
But the bunch of us got lucky and I know
There?s no other place I?d rather be with no where else to go
Wells where my future?s in the ground
And when I chance to look around there?s more and more to meet the eye
Wells I feel your attributes take hold
Just like the gold that?s in this mountain and the silver that?s shining in the sky
A lot of us have gotten pretty sly
But if Freddie see?s us smokin we can kiss this job goodbye
And the bunch of us we wanna stick around
Cuz we?ve got money in our pockets and we?re tearing up the town
Wells where you get bitten head to toe
And then it?s 42 below until you think you?re gonna die
But Wells you have attained a certain glow
Just like the gold that?s in this mountain and the silver that?s shining in the sky
Freddie?s little town we keep diggin it keeps growin
Bugs keep bitin it keeps snowin and the seasons canter by
There?s money rollin round we keep workin we keep drinkin
But a lot of us keep thinkin there?s one thing in short supply
Girls we need girls like the ones in all our pictures
Oh the thought of that is sweeter that the stuff on Freddies pancakes
Girls we need girls yeah we?re rough but we?ve been readied
To be steadied by some ladies with their lips as soft as snowflakes
I turned 33 a week ago today
It?ll take til I am 35 to wash this dirt away
But I?d rather be a miner with a smell
Than some disinfected hobo beggin nickels in Quesnel
Wells while there?s a living to be made
I?m here til every vein is dried up and there?s nothing left to buy
Wells may you be thankfully repaid
For all the gold that?s in your mountain and the silver
That shines like the eyes of a really really really really pretty girl up in the sky
WORDS AND MUSIC Ross Douglas SOCAN