Videos and music

Banff National Park

#WildlifeRules this special place, and you can help them survive by enjoying these family-friendly songs! Outdoor educators, teachers, and homeschoolers are welcome to share, sing, and learn these songs in class.

Give Them Room

Are you planning a visit to Banff National Park? Keep this family-friendly doo-wop ditty from Parks Canada in mind the next time you see wildlife on your trip! Whether it's bears, wolves, cougars, elk, deer, sheep, or goats, all of the wildlife in the national parks will have a better chance of staying healthy and wild if we give them room.

Learn more about giving wildlife space when you visit Banff National Park

Help protect this special place by learning the #WildlifeRules and singing along:

Drawing of a wolf wearing sunglasses on a green background. A 30km per hour speed limit sign is in the reflection of the sunglasses. — Slow Down

Slow down to protect wildlife and others on the road. When driving in Banff National park, always obey the posted speed limits and be aware of the road conditions.

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**Lyrics**

This is K-P-R-A, Classic Rock Radio

When you go home tonight, look for the signs in black and white
I know you’ve prob’ly noticed them before
Avoid those speeding fines, as you drive between the lines
There’s a reason for speed limits on these roads

Where’s the fire, what’s the rush?
If you speed right through you’re gonna miss so much
Don’t break the law, or drive too fast
We don’t want to see anyone crash
The national park is a special place
No need to drive like you’re winning a race

You gotta slow down
Take your time and enjoy the view
You never know what might be on the road
Or when you might see something new

It’s our job to protect, and keep the animals from causing a wreck
So on Highway One there’s a wildlife fence
But you’ve still got to use common sense
The animals might still get through
So listen up, to what you got to do

You gotta slow down
Take your time and enjoy the view
You never know what might be on the road
Or when you might see something new

If you’re driving late and the sky is black
Then you got to ease the throttle back
‘Cause every night and every day
There might be animals on the 1-A
If you drive to fast then they might get hit
You know the rules now sing it

Slow down
Take your time and enjoy the view
You never know what might be on the road
Or when you might see something new

Ya gotta slow down
Take your time and enjoy the view
You never know what might be on the road
Or when you might see something new

You never know what might be on the road
Or when you might see something new

Drawing of a bear wearing sunglasses on an orange background. An apple core is in the reflection of the sunglasses. — Bear Proof Bin

Ensure all garbage, recycling, and food waste (even organic waste, like banana peels and apple cores) are disposed of in a wildlife-proof garbage bin.

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**Lyrics**

The mountains are so beautiful, the scenery fantastic,
Then you look down at the ground and you see a piece of plastic
Someone’s gum wrapper, water bottle, plastic bag, whatever,
If you throw it in the woods, it might stay out there forever.
Even worse, scraps of food, they’ll get eaten by a critter,
So always do the right thing and never ever litter.
Put that wrapper in your pocket with your gum inside it, then
Later you can throw it in a bear proof bin!

Oh, a bear proof bin, a bear proof bin!
Later you can throw it in a bear proof bin!
A bear proof bin, a bear proof bin!
Later you can throw it in a bear proof bin!

It’s a bright sunny day and you’re hiking on a trail
You toss away an apple or a cracker that’s gone stale
That’s the wrong thing to do, oh, did you just suppose
You could throw away your food and it would simply decompose?
NO! It’s still a piece of garbage, some animal will eat it,
And when an animal’s wild, you must never ever feed it!
Pack it out, pack it out, any food you carry in,
Later you can throw it in a bear proof bin!

Oh, a bear proof bin, a bear proof bin!
Later you can throw it in a bear proof bin!
A bear proof bin, a bear proof bin!
Later you can throw it in a bear proof bin!

Oh, picnicking is a wonderful thing when it’s part of your vacation
But the smell in the air to a nearby bear is an awfully big temptation.
So don’t leave your food untended for any length of time
And to keep a messy campsite is actually a crime.
‘Cause a bear is always hungry, it only thinks of food,
If it finds some at your campsite, of course it will conclude
That that’s a place to return to again and again,
So we always throw our garbage in a bear proof bin!

Oh, a bear proof bin, a bear proof bin!
Throw our garbage in a bear proof bin!
A bear proof bin, a bear proof bin!
Throw our garbage in a bear proof bin!
A bear proof bin, a bear proof bin, we’ll say it once again,
We always throw our garbage in a bear… proof…
Always throw your garbage in a bear proof bin!

Drawing of a bighorn sheep wearing sunglasses on a turquoise background. A purple backpack is in the reflection of the sunglasses. — Pack Your Pack

Always check your pack for essential items before you head out hiking in Banff National Park. Pack it right, you can’t go wrong – the list is written in this song!

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**Lyrics**

Alright let’s hit these mountains.
Whoa, hold on. Out in the wilderness, ya gotta be prepared…

When you’re going for a hike, make a list
And check it twice in case you missed
Important things for your pack
That you will sling upon your back

Yeah, bring some tools to keep you safe
Or help you home if it gets late
And some clothes to keep you warm
Or dry inside a sudden storm
And then some food and things to drink
Hiking’s harder than you think
Devices to enhance the view
Stuff to help you soothe a boo-boo
Pack it right, you can’t go wrong
The list is written in this song:

Water bottle and some snacks
Take a topographic map
Layered clothing, socks and boots
A jacket that is waterproof
Whistle, bear spray, head-lamp, hat
Camera, cell phone, how ‘bout that
It helps to hike with all this stuff
But I’m afraid it’s not enough

What? Still more?
Yeah you need a first-aid kit…

What if you fall or cut your leg?
Then you’re gonna need first aid
Some things to help you clean a cut
And bandages to keep it shut
Pull out splinters, fix your clothes,
Wipe a snotty runny nose
Protection from small bites and burns
We’re planning for a safe return
Pack it right, you can’t go wrong
The list is written in this song:

Bandage, gauze, antiseptic
Like a wipe with disinfectant
Tensor, needle, thread and tweezers
Paper tissue for you sneezers
Bug spray, sun screen, pencil, paper
Safety pins to keep you safer
Pair of scissors, pack of matches
And a kiss in case of scratches

Okay, so we got the list.
Yeah, let’s check over to make sure we have everything we need.

When you’re going for a hike, make a list
And check it twice in case you missed
Important things for your pack
That you will sling upon your back

Double-time, let’s go! What?!

Water bottle and some snacks, take a topographic map
Layered clothing, socks and boots, a jacket that is waterproof
Whistle, bear spray, head-lamp, hat, camera, cell phone, how ‘bout that
It helps to hike with all this stuff, but I’m afraid it’s not enough
Bandage, gauze and antiseptic, like a wipe with disinfectant
Tensor, needle, thread and tweezers, paper tissue for your sneezers
Bug spray, sun screen, pencil, paper, safety pins to keep you safer
Pair of scissors, pack of matches, and a kiss in case of scratches

Okay are we all packed up?
Oh yeah! Let’s do this.
All together now…

When you’re going for a hike (When you’re going for a hike)
Make a list (Make a list)
And check it twice (And check it twice)
In case you missed (In case you missed)
Important things (Important things)
For your pack (For your pack)
That you will sling (That you will sling)
Upon your back (Upon your back)

Drawing of a fox wearing sunglasses on a dark blue background. A campfire is in the reflection of the sunglasses. — Keep it in the Pit

Fires must be contained within the metal fire ring provided at your campsite or picnic area. Keep your fires to a reasonable size, and be sure to obtain a fire permit.

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**Lyrics**

Hey! We’re heading to the park
Yeah let’s go play, I got a spot down by the lake
And I know the right place where you and me can make a spark
We’ll get some kindling and wood, paper and a lighter
If we do this right, then we can make our world brighter
Isn’t this great, just hanging in the woods
Our weekend escape has got me feeling so good

Dancing round the fire, keeping it legit
That’s why I always keep my fires in the metal fire pit
I don’t use a ring of rocks, yeah I keep my fire small
I take care of my parks so they can be enjoyed by all
So keep it in the pit

Hey! You wanna keep it tame
Yeah, you gotta think, they provide this metal ring
It’s the perfect little thing to contain that flame
And you can use the fire pit when you buy your permit
They’ll even give you firewood so you can go and burn it
But don’t go building fires anywhere you choose
Cause if your fire gets loose then we’re all gonna lose

Dancing round the fire, keeping it legit
That’s why I always keep my fires in the metal fire pit
I don’t use a ring of rocks, yeah I keep my fire small
I take care of my parks so they can be enjoyed by all
So keep it in the pit

Hey! How big is that fire?
Just because you could keep adding more wood
Doesn’t mean you should make the flames any higher
And watch out for the sparks, all those popping little embers
If we’re gonna have a fire, then you gotta remember
We’re surrounded by trees, bushes and grass
If you don’t pay attention it could all turn to ash

While you’re dancing round the fire, keeping it legit
That’s why I always keep my fires in the metal fire pit
I don’t use a ring of rocks, yeah I keep my fire small
I take care of my parks so they can be enjoyed by all
So keep it in the pit

If you want to leave your camp or go to bed because you're tired
Then here’s a little tip, just for putting out your fire
Get some water, pour it on
Stir it up and soak it twice
Yeah get some water, pour it on
Stir it till the smoke is gone
And the next time we’ll be

Dancing round the fire, keeping it legit
That’s why I always keep my fires in the metal fire pit
I don’t use a ring of rocks, yeah I keep my fire small
I take care of my parks so they can be enjoyed by all
While dancing round the fire, keeping it legit
That’s why I always keep my fires in the metal fire pit
I don’t use a ring of rocks, yeah I keep my fire small
I take care of my parks so they can be enjoyed by all
So keep it in the pit. Hey!

Drawing of a ground squirrel wearing sunglasses on a pink background. A slice of pizza is in the reflection of the sunglasses. — Put Your Food Away

A clean campsite and picnic site does not have anything that will attract wildlife (food, garbage, food-related or scented items). Never leave these items unattended.

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**Lyrics**

It’s a beautiful sunny day in Banff national Park
And you’ve got an entire smorgasbord in the back of your car
You’ve found the perfect grassy spot for setting up your picnic
Y’got your blanket and your cooler with your goodies all in it.
You spread it out before you but before you can eat
Little Timmy yells out, I REALLY HAVE TO PEE
You run to the nearest outhouse, you’ll just be five minutes
But you left out all your food and now the deer are all up in it
A warden scares them off, the deer fade into the pine
And you’re told that feeding animals can be a hefty fine.

You’ve got to put your food away
You’ve got to keep the wildlife safe
Cause all the birds and the squirrels, and the moose and the bears
And the wolves and the deer, and the cougars and the hares
They don’t need it but they want it, so eat it if you got it
And if there’s any left you can give it to your mama
But put your food away!

Let’s look at another scenario, this time you’re out for a walk
Or traipsing up that mountain to the very tippy top
Halfway up you’re feeling hungry, and your legs start to ache
So you plop down on a rock now for a small snack break
You’re surrounded by the forest, there are grey jays in the trees
And a group of fat ground squirrels with eyes that say please
You toss out some trail mix, you think how much could it hurt
As the squirrels wobble forward, bellies dragging through the dirt
But did you know that our food can cause animals disease
These foods are unnatural; it’s making them obese
And too slow to escape from the predators that eat them
So if you love them so much PLEASE DON’T FEED THEM

You’ve got to put your food away
You’ve got to keep the wildlife safe
Cause all the birds and the squirrels, and the moose and the bears
And the wolves and the deer, and the cougars and the hares
They don’t need it but they want it, so eat it if you got it
And if there’s any left you can give it to your mama
But put your food away!

Ok one more time, who here likes to camp?
Do you have a tent or a trailer? Do you rough it or glamp?
I’m not judging I like them both. But the thing I like the best
Is sitting round the fire with all this food to ingest
Breakfast lunch and dinner all cooked over the fire
You’ve spent the whole day eating now it’s time to retire
You scrape the scraps into the fire pit, and you think that’s OK
And leave the bottles on the table to pick up the next day
But later at night as you snore and you sleep
Along comes a bear who just wants to eat
It’s used to human food, its behavior has become brash
It breaks all of the bottles and it digs through the ash
This animal is a problem and dangerous no doubt
And the only way to solve it is to take the bear out

You’ve got to put your food away
You’ve got to keep the wildlife safe
Cause all the birds and the squirrels, and the moose and the bears
And the wolves and the deer, and the cougars and the hares
They don’t need it but they want it, so eat it if you got it
And if there’s any left you can give it to your mama
But put your food away!

So don’t leave it on the table, a cooler’s not good enough
And don’t keep it in your tent with your sleeping bags and stuff
It has to go in a car, or a hard sided trailer
Or most campgrounds have lockers to put your food in for later
And don’t forget your soap and toothpaste, or anything with a smell
And if you’re backcountry camping you can hang your food as well
And I know that you know this, you’ve heard it all before
But to make sure you don’t forget, I’m gonna say it once more
PUT YOUR FOOD AWAY!!!!

You’ve got to put your food away
You’ve got to keep the wildlife safe
Cause all the birds and the squirrels, and the moose and the bears
And the wolves and the deer, and the cougars and the hares
They don’t need it but they want it, so eat it if you got it
And if there’s any left you can give it to your mama
But put your food away!
Cause all the birds and the squirrels, and the moose and the bears
And the wolves and the deer, and the cougars and the hares
And the wolverine and bison, and the raven and the crow
And the magpie and the elk, and the sheep and the goats
PUT IT AWAY!

Drawing of an elk wearing sunglasses on a yellow background. A flashing camera is in the reflection of the sunglasses. — Give Them Room

Help keep wildlife wild by giving them lots of space. Never approach or startle wildlife. If you make them move, you are too close.

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**Lyrics**

If to the park you want to go
There is a rule you need to know
Animals are living here
But you should not get near…

Give ‘em room (boomp-shooba-doomp-boomp)
Give ‘em room (boomp-shooba-doomp-boomp)

A national park is a special place
And we keep it that way by giving animals space
You may get to see a critter, but if that’s the case
If that’s the case
Give ‘em room… (ba-doom)
Give ‘em room (ba-doom)

So if I’m in the park, hey tell me, what is the rule
If I see an elk or deer and I think “that’s really cool”
Can I get right up beside it or would I be a fool?
Hey, can anybody tell me, what’s the rule? What’s the rule?

For an elk or a deer, you should never get near
Just keep your distance, don’t interfere
For a sheep and a goat it’s the same, they’re not tame,
Yeah, the name of the game is give them room! (ba-doom)

How much room? (ba-doom)

Thirty metres between, that’s what we recommend
Think of three school buses lined up end to end.
That’s how far you should stay, thirty metres away,
If it’s got horns or hooves, then we say
To give ‘em room (boomp-shooba-doomp-boomp)
Give ‘em room (boomp-shooba-doomp-boomp)

A national park is a special place
And we keep it that way by giving animals space
You may get to see a critter, but if that’s the case
If that’s the case
Give ‘em room… (ba-doom)
Give ‘em room (ba-doom)

Okay, if I see a bear by the side of the road,
And the people are gawking and the traffic is slowed,
Can I get out of my car, am I breaking some code?
Can anybody tell me, what’s the rule? Hey, what’s the rule?

When it comes to a bear, you’ve got to take extra care
And a wolf or a cougar needs room to spare
If you’re standing over here and the animal is there
Ya gotta have a hundred metres worth of room! (ba-doom)
A lotta room! (ba-doom)

Stay at least that far, don’t get out of your car,
You can take a safe picture from where you are
Yes, a hundred metres, you don’t want any less
If you don’t want to cause a bear stress…
Then give ‘em room (boomp-shooba-doomp-boomp)
Give ‘em room (boomp-shooba-doomp-boomp)

A national park’s a spectacular place
For the animals and the human race
And it’s good to see a critter, just don’t do it face to face,
They gotta have their space,
Give ‘em room… (ba-doom)
Give ‘em room (ba-doom)

It’s up to you and me (badoobadoop badoobadoop)
We can all agree (badoobadoop badoobadoop)
That we want our animals wild and free
So just keep your distance and let them be
And give them room! (ba-doom)
Give them room! (ba-doom)

Just give them…. room!

Your actions matter! When you leave Banff National Park… leave it wild.

More wild songs

Here are some of our favourite original songs about the wildlife protected in our mountain national parks.

Run With the Pack

Wolves have had an undeserved bad reputation in folk tales and popular culture. Did we reject the wolf too soon? This song explores our changing attitude towards wolves as we learn more about them. We now know that we need this predator in the mountain national parks to maintain balance in the ecosystem. Where wolves can live in peace is truly a wild place.

Steve Jarand - lyrics, vocals, guitar, djembe; Tyler McClure - vocals, shaker egg; Kyla Read - vocals

Play and download song (9.2 MB)

Lyrics

Wolves in a family united and true
Los lobos, les loups, Canis lupus and you

Howl with me now

The leader of the pack
Is guaranteed to be greater
A for Alpha will always beat Beta
The wolf is wise but he’s also a mutt
Don’t be surprised if he tries to sniff
Another wolf butt

Howling helps to assemble the pack
If you got lost or after an attack
A clear call claiming territory
A chorus of canine harmony

Big bad wolf blows your house down
And steals your babies at night
Wears the cloak of the devil in the dark
And the clothing of sheep in the light
Howling at the full moon
He’ll change from man into beast
Did we reject the wolf too soon?
Will they ever be left in peace?

Elk and deer are wolves preferred prey
Marmots, hares, ground squirrels
Frogs, toads, and snakes
They don’t hunt humans
Even though they know how
But they do take the moo
From an unsuspecting cow

Their coat will molt
Black brown white or grey
These are the shades of the wolf
And this is what he’ll say

Wolves in a family united and true
Los lobos, les loups, Canis lupus and you

Snail Song

The Banff Springs Snail (Physella johnsoni) lives in a few hot springs in Banff National Park – and nowhere else in the world! You can visit this special snail at the birthplace of Canada’s national park system, the Cave & Basin National Historic Site.

Kyla Read – lyrics, vocals, ukulele; Tyler McClure – kalimba; Steve Jarand – djembe

Play and download song (5.9 MB)

Lyrics

Call me small
And call me slow
Call me Physella johnsoni
‘Cause that’s my real name, you know

I like warmth
And sulphuric things
I live in Banff
In the Cave and Basin Springs

……Hit it!

I lounge around on my algae pad
I’ve got scrapers on my feet to eat my food
If you listen closely
You can hear my burping sounds
Out of the top of my head is where I poo

My eyes are dark
And my antennae are cute
I’m a mollusk with a mission, that’s a fact
But please don’t dip your
Bug sprayed hands into my pool
It could destroy my tiny habitat

I’m as small as a lemon seed
My shell spirals to the left
I’m endangered
But Parks has got a recovery plan
To save the few of us that’s left

So next time you stop by
Put your ear to the edge
I promise that I will burp hello
But for now, it has been fun
It’s been a walk in the park
And now we bust it back into slow-mo

La la la,
La la la, la, la

Family D

Members of the deer family (Cervidae) sometimes like to live close to the towns in our national parks because they feel safer from predators there. Keep in mind that these gentle looking animals are still wild, and they need you to give them lots of space!

Steve Jarand – lyrics, vocals, guitar; Tyler McClure – vocals, percussion; Tangle Caron – vocals; Sheri Tarrington and Laurie Schwartz – vocals “and Moose!”

Play and download song (7.9 MB)

Lyrics

Caribou, elk and deer
Shed their antlers every year
Deer, elk and caribou
Have a split in the middle of their hoof
Caribou, deer and elk
Are all mammals who produce milk
That’s who Parks has here
Caribou, elk and deer

The deer here are white-tail or mule
The “mulies” hop which is pretty cool
When white-tail go, they don’t like to lag
Their tail flips up like a cute little flag

Caribou it’s true, live in the woodland
Separate from the barren-ground band
Eating lichen and acting aloof
Walking on the snow with a padded hoof

Call them elk, or wapiti
The Stoney word for “pale bum cheeks”
They hang in herds and eat aspen shoots
Watching for the wolves who are hungry too

And when the sun is going down
There may be ungulates around
Don’t exceed the speed limit
And keep your eyes on the ditch
If the deer lose their fear
Don’t approach too near
Elk may wander into town
Carefully just walk around

That’s right, because you always want to leave thirty meters between you and the…

Caribou, elk and deer (and moose)
Shed their antlers every year
Deer, elk and caribou (and moose)
Have a split in the middle of their hoof
Caribou, deer and elk (and moose)
Are all mammals who produce milk
That’s who Parks has here
Caribou, elk and deer

Steve, excuse me!
Hey, there’s a moose back here!
You’ve sung about caribou, and elk, and deer, but nothing about me!
Why didn’t you say something?

The moose is a tall and a powerful beast
Not left to the last, no not in the least.
I slosh in swamps devouring reeds
Filling my stomach and fulfilling my needs

Living alone unless there’s a calf
Doesn’t that thing on my chin
Make you laugh?
My dewlap and my nose hang loose
These are a few of the
Charms of the moose

G Bear and B Bear

Grizzly bears and black bears share the landscape of the Canadian Rockies with millions of visitors every year. It’s up to each of us to keep watch for bear signs and keep our distance – both for our safety and the bears’!

Steve Jarand – lyrics, vocals, looped beats; Tyler McClure – vocals

Play and download song (9 MB)

Lyrics

Ya got two types of bears
Roam the valley wide
Two kinds of bear climb the mountain side
Ya got two size of claws
On two types of paws
Two shapes of faces nature embraces
Two kinds of print to give you a hint
Two silhouettes so you don’t forget
Ya got two types of ears and all kinds of hair
Check out the style of G bear and B bear

Oh, don’t forget to say “yo bear” when you’re out there! Yo.

All the bears with the hump go digging
And all the bears with the rump go climbing
And all the bears with the hump go digging
And all the bears with the rump go climbing

Black bears in the forest; we like to forage
Grizzly in the alpine; on the incline
The grizzly bear growls: “my territory”
The black bear cowers:
“I’m leavin’ I’m sorry – look –
I’m just lookin’ for a girlfriend!”
“Well, make tracks, or meet a grizzly end”

Grizzly or black, here’s the fact jack
Take enough time to ask “what’s your sign?”
And you will find the clues left behind
Prove that the bear
Came trampin’ through there

Track, scat, scratching, kills
Rolled stones and digging in the hills

Ya got:
Track – a footprint left by a bear
Scat – poop, with berries or hair
Scratching – on trees to mark a territory
Animal kill – bloody and gory
Stones – rolled for insects below
‘Cause bears are omnivores you know
Ya got digging – for roots under the earth
‘Cause ground squirrels are fat
Give a bear a greater girth

Track, scat, scratching, kills
Rolled stones and digging in the hills
Grizzly or black, here’s the fact jack
Take enough time to ask
“What’s your sign?”
And you will find the clues left behind
Prove that the bear
Came trampin’ through there

‘Cause when you’re chattin’ in Latin
Ya call the Grizz “Ursa”
Arctos ursa, or vice versa
Ursus americanus for those
Who understand us
If you don’t, hold on tight
It’s gonna get worse’a

Cinnamon, Kermode, glacier and blonde
That’s a black bear where
The black is all gone
Mistaya, Kodiak, golden, or brown
That’s grizzly in another tongue
Or from another town

Well I’m diggin a den before it’s too late
You see, winter is a-comin’ what is my fate?
Did I gain enough weight to hibernate?
Well, did I make enough love to procreate?
I said I gotta get fat, got to find a mate

All the bears with the hump go digging
And all the bears with the rump go climbing
And all the bears with the hump go digging
And all the bears with the rump go climbing

Two size of claws on two types of paws
Two kinds of print to give you a hint
That’s two silhouettes so you don’t forget
Check out the style of G bear and B bear

Yo, bear!

Bison Rise Again

In early 2012, Canada’s Environment Minister announced that Parks Canada will work towards re-introducing free-roaming plains bison to Banff National Park. Currently, you can visit the bison in six of our National Parks: Nahanni, Grasslands, Prince Albert, Elk Island, Waterton Lakes, and Wood Buffalo.

Steve Jarand – lyrics, vocals, guitar; Tyler McClure – vocals, percussion; Kyla Read – vocals; Tangle Caron – harmonica

Play and download song (8.5 MB)

Lyrics

[Chorus]
Bison bison buffalo
Biggest bull you’ll ever know
Bravest bovine on the plain
Don’t forget the bison
And the bison he will rise again

Well a bison’s big and a bison’s lean
Tougher than a tractor
If you know what I mean
But they’re cryin’ inside
Which may sound strange
Fighting hoof and horn
For their home on the range

Well, the bulls weigh a ton
It’s hard to believe
That’s a thousand kilograms to you and me
20 hands high that’s two metres and some
But the boys bein’ brawny
Don’t mean that they’re dumb

Now every year it comes to pass
The bison go in search of grass
They’ve got four stomachs to help digest
Process the pulp and poop out the rest

[Chorus]
Bison bison buffalo
Biggest bull you’ll ever know
Bravest bovine on the plain
Don’t forget the bison
And the bison he will rise again

Bison live about 20 years
They migrate through their bison careers
Foraging most at dawn and dusk
They wallow in dust and mud and musk

Once called “boeuf” then to “du buffalo”
I’ll bet that’s something you didn’t know
Bison bison is the scientific name
Twice as precise is what bison became

There are two kinds of bison
We’re singin’ about
Wood bison in the woods
Was there ever any doubt
Plains bison on plains, that covers where
Next: variation in body and hair…

Plains bison are smaller with a hairier head
Shaggier beard so more shag to shed
Woollier chaps and a pale colored shoulder
Protection for when those prairie winds
Blow colder

[Chorus]
Bison bison buffalo
Biggest bull you’ll ever know
Bravest bovine on the plain
Don’t forget the bison
And the bison he will rise again

The water buffalo is a distant cousin
European bison hunted down to a dozen
Looking like ours
But they’re the smaller beast
Re-introduced into the European east

Parks Canada is host to wild bison herds
Elk Island and Wood Buffalo
For you bison nerds
Used to be a paddock out there in Banff
And Banff might give bison another chance

Millions strong till the plains were tamed
But what if they could proclaim their name
And be heirs to the land
That’s theirs to reclaim
And say that they were coming back again

Well if they could
It might sound something like this:

And the bison goes…

Ladies and gentlemen, bison don’t make much noise. But if they could, they might sound something like this…

[Chorus]
Bison bison buffalo
Biggest bull you’ll ever know
Bravest bovine on the plain
Don’t forget the bison
And the bison he will rise again

GOat SHEEP GOat

Can you tell a mountain goat from a bighorn sheep? You will always know the difference between these expert mountain climbers after hearing this song!

Tangle Caron – lyrics, vocals, accordion, percussion; Tyler McClure – vocals; Steve Jarand – vocals; Laurie Schwartz – glockenspiel

Play and download song (10.2 MB)

Lyrics

The Rockies reach towards the sky
Tempting many a man to try
To ascend those towering heights
To see the Rocky Mountain sights
They come from near and far away
But everyone is forced to say
That to perfect your climbing moves
Feet can’t compete with hooves

[Chorus]
Sheep and goats
Goats and sheep
We live where the mountains are steep
Goats and sheep
Sheep and goats
Climbing high, we don’t need your ropes
Nope, nope

[Sheep]
You may see sheep upon the road
Bringing traffic to a halt
I really cannot help myself
I’m down here licking salt
My hair is often moulting
Eyes are gold and round
My rump is white and so’s my nose
The rest of me is brown

[Goat]
Goats are quite elusive
Live at higher elevations
And if you catch a glimpse of me
It’s cause for celebration
My coat is long and thick and white
And helps to keep me warm
My hooves are black, my nose is black
And black my eyes and horns

[Chorus]
Sheep and goats
Goats and sheep
We live where the mountains are steep
Goats and sheep
Sheep and goats
Climbing high, we don’t need your ropes
Nope, nope

[Sheep]
Both rams and ewes have horns
Which grow until we’re dead
But ram’s horns are much bigger
And curl around our heads
We’ll crash into each other
In a big-horn head-butt fight
So that we impress the ladies
Oh golly, what a sight

[Goat]
The billies and the nannies
They both are fluffy white
The billies are more brawny
In case we have to fight
The nannies hang in herds
While the billies live alone
Except for in the fall
When we’re allowed to come back home

[Chorus]
Sheep and goats
Goats and sheep
We live where the mountains are steep
Goats and sheep
Sheep and goats
Climbing high, we don’t need your ropes
Nope, nope

[Sheep]
I like open hillsides
With grasses I can munch
We sheep are very social
And like living in a bunch
But predators like wolves and bears
Want me for a snack
So I graze near steep ledges
To help escape attack

[Goat]
I’m way up in the alpine
By lots of rocky cliffs
And if I see a predator I’ll climb up in a jiff
My body’s slim for fitting
On narrow mountain ledges
Thanks to meals of lichens
Grasses, flowers and of sedges

[Chorus]
Sheep and goats
Goats and sheep
We live where the mountains are steep
Goats and sheep
Sheep and goats
Climbing high, we don’t need your ropes
Nope, nope

[Sheep]
I’m Alberta’s Provincial mammal
You may think that’s a ball
But some hunters just want trophies
My head upon their wall
But if I make my home inside a park
I have no fears
I may even reach the ripe old age
Of fourteen years

[Goat]
Some folks think we’re the same, while visiting the parks
Sheep: We both have horns and hair and hooves, can you tell us apart?
Sheep: White rump, brown back and curling horns means a bighorn sheep
Goat: All dressed in white and way up high: a mountain goat you’ve peeped

[Chorus]
Sheep and goats
Goats and sheep
We live where the mountains are steep
Goats and sheep
Sheep and goats
Climbing high, we don’t need your ropes
Nope, nope

Climbing high, we don’t need your ropes... Nope.

Can’t Wait to Hibernate

“Eat” and “Sleep” are the bear’s two seasons. It is possible to wake bears from their winter slumber, but they won’t usually stay active unless there is food available. During hibernation, bears usually do not eat, drink, poop or pee for several months!

Tyler McClure – lyrics, percussion; Tangle Caron – guitar, vocals; Laurie Schwartz – vocals

Play song (6.8 MB)

Lyrics

While wanderin’ through the Alpine
The grizzly sets her sights
On finding roots and berries
To feed her grizzly appetite
She felt her belly rumblin’
She needed to eat so she ate
Then she tucked herself down in the ground
And began to hibernate

It starts back in the summertime
Before the first snow flies
The grizzly bear eats all day long
And amplifies her size
Those extra layers help keep her warm
And give her one big gut
And she’ll grow extra fur
To cover her big bear butt

[Chorus]
Oh, hibernate, underneath the ground
And losing weight
Oh, hibernate, deep in a sleepy state

While hidden underneath the snow
Kept cozy, snug and calm
This grizzly bear has come prepared
To soon become a mom
Soon she’s joined by little ones
Whom she must love and feed
Those grizzly cubs weigh just two pounds
And they can’t even see

To do her part and feed the cubs
Our mama bear is set
She won’t go the bathroom
Or even break a sweat
She’ll give them milk and keep them warm
Safely by her side
Until the day when they decide
To open up their eyes

[Chorus]
Oh, hibernate, underneath the ground
And losing weight
Oh, hibernate, deep in a sleepy state

And when the days get warm once more
And the grizzly breaks her fast
She’s grateful for her body’s genes
That made her muscles last
She’ll lumber out to greet the sun
Emerging from the den
And get prepared for next year
When they’ll do it all over again

[Chorus x2]
Oh, hibernate, underneath the ground
And losing weight
Oh, hibernate, deep in a sleepy state

Oh, hibernate, underneath the ground
And losing weight
Oh, hibernate, deep in a sleepy state

Dragonfly

Dragonflies live in and around wetlands. They do not bite or sting people, but they eat plenty of mosquitoes! Most of a dragonfly’s life is spent underwater as a nymph – a swimming and crawling bug – that preys on any other bugs it can catch.

Steve Jarand – lyrics, guitar; Kyla Read – vocals and harmonies

Play and download song (7.3 MB)

Lyrics

I fly
Above the pond
With my wings
I sing this song

[Chorus]
Born below, deep down in the mud
That’s where I grow before surfacing above
From an egg, to a nymph
To an adult, then I die
The legend of the wetlands
The gentle dragon...

I hover, and I glide
Look close to discover iridescent eyes

[Chorus]
Born below, deep down in the mud
That’s where I grow before surfacing above
From an egg, to a nymph
To an adult, then I die
The legend of the wetlands
The gentle dragon...

Silent transformation as I prepare to fly
I rely on vibration while
Soaring through the sky
With a sound like strains of a violin
Listen, to the dragon...

Prehistoric predator, two feet wide
Found underground, fossilized

[Chorus]
Born below, deep down in the mud
That’s where I grow before surfacing above
From an egg, to a nymph
To an adult, then I die
The legend of the wetlands
The gentle dragon...

The dragon, dragon…fly
Above the pond
With my wings
I sing this song

Mountain Pine Beetle Rock

Mountain pine beetles are a natural part of our forests, but they are out of balance right now, devastating vast areas of old lodgepole pine both inside and outside of our national parks. Parks Canada fire crews are fighting back by burning off some of the old, weak forest to help new strong trees to grow.

Phillip Nugent – lyrics; Steve Jarand – guitar; Tyler McClure – vocals; Kyla Read – vocals; Laurie Schwartz – vocals, bass, percussion

Play and download song (7.1 MB)

Lyrics

[Lodgepole Pine]
Yeooww!!!!! Somebody bit me!!!!

[Mountain Pine Beetle]
Hello, lodgepole pine

[Lodgepole Pine]
Mountain pine beetle!

[Mountain Pine Beetle]
Let’s rock!

[Mountain Pine Beetle]
I’m really trying
To get under your skin
I’ll bury deeper and deposit poison
A little fungus that gives you
Blue stained insides
I’ll bring my family here to thrive
I’ll turn your needles from green into red
Just try to stop me, I’ll dig till you’re dead
An epidemic of your own creation
Mountain pine beetle infestation

[Lodgepole Pine]
Whoooaa! Don’t try to eat me!
Whooaaa, I’m just an old pine tree!
Whoaa! I’ll pitch you outta me
Oh no! I’m too old!

[Mountain Pine Beetle]
It’s getting hotter
No more cold that can kill
I’ll keep on eating, ’til I get my fill
Fire suppression
Means conditions are fine
Look at this enormous forest
Of old weak lodgepole pines
I’ll lay my eggs there, under your bark
They’ll grow to larva there in the dark
They’re going to eat you from inside to out
And stop the flow of sap
That’s what I’m talking about.

[Lodgepole Pine]
Whoooaa! Don’t try to eat me!
Whooaaa, I’m just an old pine tree!
Whoaa! I’ll pitch you outta me
Oh no! I’m too old!

[Mountain Pine Beetle]
DIG, DIG, DIG!!

[Lodgepole Pine]
DIG, DIG, DIG! Ow!

[Initial Attack Crew]
Hold it right there, mountain pine beetle!

[Mountain Pine Beetle]
Oh, no! Not the Parks Canada Prescribed Burn Program!

[Initial Attack Crew]
Oh, yes!

[Mountain Pine Beetle]
Oh, no!

[Initial Attack Crew]
Yo, check it out,
I work for the mountain parks, see
I’m a gonna light fire to this old pine tree
Gotta stop this infestation
Gotta save the lumber for this nation
‘Cause this beetle’s really hard to stop
Gonna keep spreadin ‘til all the trees drop
Their needles down to the forest floor, gotta
Show the mountain pine beetle the door

[Lodgepole Pine]
Whoooaaa! Don’t try to eat me!

[Initial Attack Crew]
Stop all your groans

[Lodgepole Pine]
Whoooaaa, I’m just an old pine tree!

[Initial Attack Crew]
I’ll burn all your cones

[Lodgepole Pine]
Whooooaaa! I’ll pitch you outta me

[Initial Attack Crew]
And set your seeds free!

[Mountain Pine Beetle]
I’m multiplying

[Initial Attack Crew]
You’re out of control

[Mountain Pine Beetle]
Cause the temperature’s hot, I’ll keep on flying

[Initial Attack Crew]
Set flame to your soul

[Mountain Pine Beetle]
Show you what I’ve got. I’m headin’ eastward

[Initial Attack Crew]
No you’re not

[Mountain Pine Beetle]
So you better understand

[Initial Attack Crew]
I’ll spread from west to east a beetle management plan....

[Lodgepole Pine]
Whoa!! Whoa! Whoa! Don’t try to eat me!

[Mountain Pine Beetle]
You don’t stand a chance!

[Initial Attack Crew]
I’ll give you a chance

[Lodgepole Pine]
Whoooooaaaa, I’m just an old pine tree!!

[Mountain Pine Beetle]
A six-legged dance

[Initial Attack Crew]
Cut into your dance

[Lodgepole Pine]
Whooooaaaa, I’ll pitch you outta me

[Mountain Pine Beetle]
A poisonous romance

[Lodgepole Pine]
Oh no! I’m too old!

[Initial Attack Crew]
Oh no, he’s too old

[Mountain Pine Beetle]
He’s too old...muah haha hahaha

Are you a Grizzly Bear?

If you’ve been counting, this is our third song about bears on this album! We think they are THAT special. Grizzlies need a lot of space in order to survive. With your help, bears will always have a safe refuge in our national parks.

Steve Jarand – lyrics, guitar; Tyler McClure – vocals; Kyla Read – vocals

Play and download song (6.3 MB)

Lyrics

Do you sleep five months in a winter den?
Did you dig it yourself
With your claws, and then
Wait for the snow that would
Keep you warm?
And huddle in the place
Where your cubs are born

When you hibernate
Do you recycle your pee?
Only losing moisture as you breathe
Cosy in a coat of grizzled hair
A sleep not so deep
Are you a grizzly bear?

[Chorus]
And do you walk alone
High in the alpine meadow
Do you hit your stride
Where the mountain meets sky
When the journey ends
Will we still be friends
Strong beyond compare
Are you a grizzly bear?

Do you walk pigeon-toed
Leaving grizzly tracks?
Do you dig up ground squirrels
For grizzly snacks?
Do you break dead trees
And roll giant stones?
Then suck up the bugs
And give a grizzly groan

Can you eat one hundred thousand
Berries in one day?
Buffalo, Saskatoon and raspberry
Transform those sugars into winter fat
And poop out the rest in a scarlet scat

Do you walk pigeon-toed
Leaving grizzly tracks?
Do you dig up ground squirrels
For grizzly snacks?
Do you break dead trees
And roll giant stones?
Then suck up the bugs
And give a grizzly groan

Ursus arctos
Are you weary of the human race?
Is it time to migrate to another place?
A far distant star in the outer space…
Ursa major (The big dipper)
Ursa minor (The little dipper)
The grizzly bear shall illuminate

Do you walk pigeon-toed
Leaving grizzly tracks?
Do you dig up ground squirrels
For grizzly snacks?
Do you break dead trees
And roll giant stones?
Then suck up the bugs
And give a grizzly groan

Forever a Coyote

Coyote is known as “the trickster” in many First Nations stories. This animal is a hardy survivor and adapts quickly to almost any situation.

Steve Jarand – lyrics, guitar; Tangle Caron – slide guitar, harmonica

Play and download song (7.9 MB)

Lyrics

Do you know how it feels
To run ‘cross the fields
Howl from the hills; a coyote revealed
Do you know how it feels
To spy with yellow eyes
Smaller than a wolf but tough for my size

Do you know how it feels
To be chased out of town
Kicked in the tail but never stay down
Do you know how it feels to frolic unbound
Play with the pups and hang with the hounds
Do you know how it feels

[Chorus]
Forever I’ll be a coyote
Forever I’ll weather the storm
I’ll roam night and day
And hunt for my prey
And pray that I stay safe from harm

Do you know how it feels to hunt as a team
Scavenge for scraps
Then get forced from the scene
Do you know how it feels to fall asleep
And chase your dreams
While counting sheep

Do you know how it feels
To be a trickster to man
Survive in legend any way you can
Do you know how it feels
With four paws on the ground
Knowledge grows up, wisdom passes down
Do you know how it feels

[Chorus]
Forever I’ll be a coyote
Forever I’ll weather the storm
I’ll roam night and day
And hunt for my prey
And pray that I stay safe from harm

Wolverine

Wolverines are elusive and hard to study, but we know that they need plenty of space to survive. They avoid areas of human disturbance. Despite their reputation for being fierce, wolverines have proven to be attentive parents and have even been observed at play, sliding down snowy slopes just for the fun of it! Our mountain national parks are an important refuge for this fascinating creature.

Steve Jarand – lyrics, vocals, looped beats

Play and download song (7.4 MB)

Lyrics