Story Behind the Song
In a recent Dominion Institute survey, Terry Fox was selected as Canada's most inspirational hero . . . "Canada's favorite son".
His 1980 attempt to run across Canada, on one leg and a prosthesis (to raise funds for cancer research; cancer had taken his right leg) ended with his death in hospital, as the cancer had spread to his lungs. He had covered more than half of the distance he had intended, and his legacy remains strong through the efforts of The Terry Fox Foundation.
Lyrics
In the fragrant green trees in an ocean's sweet breeze,
Canada's favorite son,
With one leg lost in peril, and a passionate plea
From the east, he started to run.
With the wind at his back and a tiny belt pack,
He left on a wing and a prayer,
To run clean across the wide country he loved,
In the hopes that the world might share:
In his mission so frightfully clear,
To find a cure for mankind's greatest fear-
And it's run, Terry Fox run,
As far and as fast as you can.
Run, Terry Fox run,
And hold the world in your hand.
With a start at the Maritime shoreline
Through the busy Saint Lawrence Valley
Like a trooper he kept on, to honour his pledge
The people would stop just to see.
And on to Ontario with weeks flying by,
"He's coming!" the newsmen would cry.
But on a south-bending road near Superior's waters,
This brave boy's dream . . . was left to you and I . . . you and I.
Now it's run, Terry Fox run,
As far and as fast as you can.
Run, Terry Fox run,
And hold the world in your hand.
". . . and hold . . . the world . . . in your hand . . ."
© words and music by John Spearn
|
lo fi play
hi fi play
email track to a friend
add to My.MP3