Written by Robbie Robertson
F C9 The war was over and the spirit was broken Dm9 Ebmaj9 Gm7 The hills were smokin' as the men withdrew F We stood on the cliffs C/G A9 Oh, and watched the ships Bb Gm7 Slowly sinking to their rendezvous F C9 They signed a treaty and our homes were taken Dm9 Ebmaj9 Loved ones forsaken Gm7 They didn't give a damn F Try'n' to raise a family C/G A9 End up the enemy Bb Gm7 Over what went down on the plains of Abraham (*) F Bb Acadian driftwood Gm7 C7 Gypsy tail wind Bb/D F/C Bb Gm7 They call my home the land of snow F Bb Gm7 C7 Canadian cold front movin' in Bb/D F/C What a way to ride Bb Dm7/A Gm7 C7 F Oh, what a way to go Then some returned to the motherland The high command had them cast away And some stayed on to finish what they started They never parted They're just built that way We had kin livin' south of the border They're a little older and they've been around They wrote a letter life is a whole lot better So pull up your stakes, children and come on down Fifteen under zero when the day became a threat My clothes were wet and I was drenched to the bone Been out ice fishing, too much repetition Make a man wanna leave the only home he's known Sailing out of the gulf headin' for Saint Pierre Nothin' to declare All we had was gone Broke down along the coast But what hurt the most When the people there said "You better keep movin' on" Everlasting summer filled with ill-content This government had us walkin' in chains This isn't my turf This ain't my season Can't think of one good reason to remain I've worked in the sugar fields up from New Orleans It was ever green up until the floods You could call it an omen Points ya where you're goin' Set my compass north I got winter in my blood Acadian driftwood Gypsy tail wind They call my home the land of snow Canadian cold front movin' in What a way to ride Ah, what a way to go F C7sus4 C7 Bb/D Gm7 Sais tu, A-ca-di-e j'ai le mal du pays {You know, Acadia, I long for the country (I am homesick)} F C7sus4 C7 Bb/D Gm7 Ta neige, Acadie, fait des larmes au soleil {Your snow, Acadia, makes tears in the sun (or for the sun)} F C7sus4 C7 Bb/D Gm7 J'arrive Acadie, teedle um, teedle um, teedle ooh {I am arriving Acadia (or I am coming Acadia)} (*): "The Plains of Abraham" refer to farm land owned by Abraham Martin just west of the The Citadel in Quebec City and the site of the battle between the French and the English. It is now a park (also overlooks the St.Lawrence) and is a wonderful place to visit if you ever get the chance.