Chilliwack frontman Bill Henderson’s outrage after seeing an independent film about oil tankers on B.C.’s coast has spilled over into a song.
Take Back This Land is part anthem and part love song, a rallying cry Henderson hopes will inspire Canadians to vote in the Oct. 19 federal election.
“I really wanted to make sure it wasn’t an angry song,” said Henderson, who lives on Salt Spring Island. “I’ve written a lot of angry songs and that’s not what’s needed — it doesn’t really help very much. I wanted to write something that people could feel good about saying and that moved us forward somehow.”
Vancouver-born Henderson, 70, who received the Order of Canada this year, spent ages six to 13 living at Yellow Point, south of Nanaimo. He is critical of the Conservative government has treated the environment and introduced omnibus bills, only to invoke closure on debate.
He was incensed after watching Coastal Tarsands: Journey to Deleted Islands in March. The film follows a kayaker through B.C.’s North Coast and the approximately 1,000 square kilometres of islands that were omitted in Enbridge’s initial promotional material on its proposed route for oil tankers carrying bitumen from Alberta’s oilsands.
Months later Henderson penned the refrain:
“We’re gonna take back this country; we’re gonna take back this land.
“We’re gonna bring back our democracy and build Canada again.
“We’re gonna take back this country; we’re gonna take back this land
“We’re going to bring back the heart and soul of Canada again.”
Chilliwack has been performing the song for about a month. Some audience members are initially suspicious of where it might go, then embrace positive intent and sing along, Henderson said.
“That’s what I witness every night … and I think that’s a significant moment.”
Henderson said Take Back This Land reflects what he hears on the road from ordinary Canadians. “I feel this song came from Canada — a huge amount of people feel this way, so I feel it’s their song.”
You won’t hear the tune attached to any one political party, he said, but Henderson is happy to play it at rallies for causes the band supports.
While the song would seem to suggest that people take back the country from the Conservative government, Henderson said he doesn’t want to make enemies or divide people. Rather, he wants Canadians to agree on what they value most, then decide what needs to be done to preserve and build it.
“Get out and vote … that’s the most important thing,” he said. “Bad governments are elected by people who don’t vote. Our record for voter turnout is not good at all.”
