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Land of the Silver Birch Song

This Song is meant for Scouts BSA.
Decide for yourself if it is appropriate for your younger scouts or not.

Hear the Song by Michael Mitchell
The Tune:

Lyrics:

My paddle's keen and bright
Flashing like silver
Swift as the wild goose flight
Dip, dip and swing
Dip, dip and swing her back
Flashing like silver
Swift as the wild goose flight
Dip, dip and swing.

Land of the silver birch
Home of the beaver
Where still the mighty moose
Wanders at will
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more
Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, bo-oo-oom

High on a rocky ledge
I'll build my wigwam
Close to the water's edge
Silent and still
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more
Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, bo-oo-oom

My heart grows sick for thee
Here in the lowlands
I will return to thee hills of the north
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more
Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, bo-oo-oom

Swift as a silver fish
Canoe of birch bark
By mighty waterways, Carry me forth
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more
Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, bo-oo-oom

High as an eagle soars
Over the mountains
My spirit rises up, free as a bird
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more
Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, bo-oo-oom

Land of the silver birch
Home of the beaver
Where still the mighty moose
Wanders at will
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more
Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, bo-oo-oom

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Comments:

Jan 26, 2014 - Grace

I learned a different style, but I still like this one. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jun 24, 2019 - Jane

I woke up with this song in my mind this morning having not sung it or thought about it for over45 years. Being a female, I was never a scout, but we sang this regularly on school trips. My grandfather was Canadian and this song reminds me of my visit to what is, of course, a beautiful country, many years ago, to visit family. "Blue lake and rocky shore..." I hope I will return once more. Thanks you for this.

Oct 15, 2019 - Bruce A. Frank

I learned this song at Boy Scout Camp in the early '60s near Augusta Georgia. The councilor who wrote the song was part of the staff there. He had the first and second repeating verses and had been unable to finish the song. I cannot remember his name. I now find this song everywhere and some extended versions, like the one above. Many versions are the same in the first two verses, but following verses are very different. I taught this song to my son when he was very young and I was very surprised when he came back from his first time at Scout Camp, in CA, and said they sang the original version there!

Jul 24, 2020 - Angela Bunting

My favourite campfire song, learnt in the 1950s as a Guide in North West London, England.

Aug 26, 2021 - Kate Boulton

I learned this song over 50 years ago in 1967 when I was a Girl Guide in England. It was always one of my favourite Guide songs. This morning,I suddenly found myself singing it to myself....and what is more, remembering most of the lyrics. I wish I could remember everything else so well. Happy memories though.

Aug 28, 2021 - Scouter Paul

@Kate - and, it's fun to actually canoe to the tune!

May 12, 2022 - Scout Grandma

I was reminded of a Guides' visit to a USAF station Guides' troop while watching TV. My main memory was of the native American clothes that dancers wore, beautiful stitching and beading. But now, about 50 years later, a few words and the tune of this song came back to me. A quick Google search and I'm singing it again. That's the power of Scouting and Guiding; it really does enrich our whole lives.

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