Port Hardy Inn

Intro part 1

It started with a fortnight trip in May and June, ‘fourteen
To sail the “Inside Passage” was our aim
To gaze upon the glaciers before they disappear
Fine weather helped us to fulfil our dream

Intro part 2

A rock was blasted from the sound and not another wreck sustained
Astonishing but, here, by no means strange
A mystery from this history was yet to be explained
Until I recognised the tricky wind of change

Verse 1

The Port Hardy Inn is right where it needs to be
For the weary traveller waiting on the tide
Plenty of space for us to park our motor car
Not far up the hill and looking out to sea

As we approach, the Inn appears deserted
A note upon the door says “Back at four
Commemoration service for Bev Parham”
She was the much-loved Mayor so all the town is there

Verse 2

The manager is sad but kind and very helpful
Leads us to our room we find the corridor is long
Up to date but worn-out the Inn is almost empty
My lady and I share a glance - we know there’s something wrong

The “wake” attracts our waitress to the ballroom
When at last it comes the Chinese food is good
I feel the need to write about Bev Parham
Next morning we go down and nose around the town

Verse 3

Planners put the Inn out of ear-shot from the harbour
Thoughtfully provide a peaceful place to rest your head
There’s a friendly breakfast bar just around the corner
And the North-Island Gazette can tell us why the town is down

Parham fought in vain to stop the closures
A Bauxite plant the biggest one to fail
New ferry times divert the tourist dollar
Of folk like us who sail on George Vancouver’s trail

Verse 4

We investigate Coal Harbour, a drive across the headland
Loggers, whalers, sea-planes local history abounds
Joey greets us there, he built this fine museum
That hero jumped the Reaper’s blade to save it all for you

But spare a thought for the Native People
Just one in ten survived the genocide
Prince-Rupert-bound we sail through night and morning
Belongings on their back – asleep upon the deck… recall the

Verse 5 and Coda

Vagrants in their boxes on the streets of rich Vancouver
One lucky night may get shower and a hotel bed
Europe is the past that leaves two official languages
“Pacific Rim” the present and the future, you can bet

Geography set Canada a challenge
Defied the hand of man upon the land
Mother Nature, still, must teach mankind a lesson
Is there time to modify a self-destructive plan?

Verse 6 - an afterthought

Studies on the internet provide us with an up-date
For British Columbia the visitor is key
Making the most of all her unique attributes
She caters for the tourist in quite a stunning way

Benefitting not just Europeans
Many nations here are doing well
A Luxury hotels is named in the native language
What a magic, sometimes tragic, story Canada can tell!