Great Lake Swimmers — Your Rocky Spine
Album: OngiaraAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2701
Length: 3:28
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I was lost in the lakes
And the shapes that your body makes
That your body makes, that your body makes
That your body makes
And the mountains said I could find you here
They whispered the snow and the leaves in my ear
I traced my finger along your trails
Your body was the map, I was lost in it
Floating over your rocky spine
The glaciers made you, and now you're mine
Floating over your rocky spine
The glaciers made you, and now you're mine
I was moving 'cross your frozen veneer
The sky was dark but you were clear
Could you feel my footsteps
And would you shatter, would you shatter, would you
And with your soft fingers between my claws
Like purity against resolve
I could tell, then and there, we were formed from the clay
And came from the rocks for the earth to display
They told me to be careful up there
Where the wind blows a venomous rage through your hair
They told me to be careful up there
Where the wind rages through your hair
And the shapes that your body makes
That your body makes, that your body makes
That your body makes
And the mountains said I could find you here
They whispered the snow and the leaves in my ear
I traced my finger along your trails
Your body was the map, I was lost in it
Floating over your rocky spine
The glaciers made you, and now you're mine
Floating over your rocky spine
The glaciers made you, and now you're mine
I was moving 'cross your frozen veneer
The sky was dark but you were clear
Could you feel my footsteps
And would you shatter, would you shatter, would you
And with your soft fingers between my claws
Like purity against resolve
I could tell, then and there, we were formed from the clay
And came from the rocks for the earth to display
They told me to be careful up there
Where the wind blows a venomous rage through your hair
They told me to be careful up there
Where the wind rages through your hair
Comments (147)add comment
What great musicianship. Spare banjo & bass. Light brush stokes on the snare, beautiful.
uksminas wrote:
Such a beautiful bird...
Such a beautiful bird...
xrdstv wrote:
I appreciate the romance of Canadians.
Takes me back to the time I spent in Northwest Ontario. One winter trip to the middle of nowhere by train... then across a frozen lake on snowshoes to a cabin. Full moon lit the way. There was an old upright piano in the cabin... the sounds still resonate within me.
The summer where I lived on an island alone and paddled to work in a small town. That summer there was a beautiful woman... there is still a piece of my heart with her wherever she goes. Where ever she is...
I appreciate the romance of Canadians.
i love the cover art.
A great classic Radio Paradise track from around 2010. Brings back some nostalgic feelings, even though RP hasn't changed.
Takes me back to the time I spent in Northwest Ontario. One winter trip to the middle of nowhere by train... then across a frozen lake on snowshoes to a cabin. Full moon lit the way. There was an old upright piano in the cabin... the sounds still resonate within me.
The summer where I lived on an island alone and paddled to work in a small town. That summer there was a beautiful woman... there is still a piece of my heart with her wherever she goes. Where ever she is...
The summer where I lived on an island alone and paddled to work in a small town. That summer there was a beautiful woman... there is still a piece of my heart with her wherever she goes. Where ever she is...
Drive 20 minutes east from Wainfleet to Sherkston...great beach there for some Great Lakes Swimming...Erie to be exact. Tell Michael that I sent you...
Absolutely beautiful ode to love.
Reminiscent of buffalo Springfield "I am a child ".
Having swum in the Great Lakes many times I feel fully qualified to like this song!
uksminas wrote:
First, this GIF deserves a bump... I am truly mesmerized by it
And I found and explanation of the album title and maybe the band's name...
First, this GIF deserves a bump... I am truly mesmerized by it
And I found and explanation of the album title and maybe the band's name...
a good country piece!
like original buffalo springfield.
RazzCat wrote:
I've never hiked it, but have thumbed it a couple of times … which is pretty close.
Dunno, but "Great Lakes Swimmers" feels in my neighbourhood, and "Rocky Spine" brings to mind the Canadian Shield.
If you've ever driven that road above Lake Superior, it feels very real....
If you've ever driven that road above Lake Superior, it feels very real....
I've never hiked it, but have thumbed it a couple of times … which is pretty close.
Another underrated band under the radar, I discovered thanks to RP...
I just read the lyrics and wow... for a landlubber like me, they mean more than the literal!
And who could give the beautiful gif below
a thumbs down??
And who could give the beautiful gif below
a thumbs down??Bill you schooled me once more lad!!!
Great lil ditty, a 9 from me
EDIT Now up to 10, thank you very much!
Great lil ditty, a 9 from me
EDIT Now up to 10, thank you very much!
Nice "simple" tune with a melody and lyrics that are nice and easy on the ears
Proclivities wrote:
I didn't claim to be "the authority"; you stated that this came out "before hipsters knew they were hipsters" which seemed to indicate that you did not count them among that demographic either - I guess I misinterpreted that. I only comment on RP part-time, in between chimney-sweeping gigs and volunteering at the Home For Retired Mimes - you can hear a pin drop in that place.
Thankless jobs for sure. It all makes sense now.
Edit: Part time commenter? Check your work.
I didn't claim to be "the authority"; you stated that this came out "before hipsters knew they were hipsters" which seemed to indicate that you did not count them among that demographic either - I guess I misinterpreted that. I only comment on RP part-time, in between chimney-sweeping gigs and volunteering at the Home For Retired Mimes - you can hear a pin drop in that place.
Thankless jobs for sure. It all makes sense now.
Edit: Part time commenter? Check your work.
And again, for a few seconds, I thought it would be "Journey of the Sorcerer" ...
I like it !
I love the lyrics.
gmichaelt wrote:
The lyrics suggest otherwise — namely, rather than having sex, the author is 'in a relationship' with the land (read: territory or landscape, one in which the author finds himself). You can find allusions to earth (hard and soft), sky, and water (and ice) easily in the lyrics.
Dunno, but "Great Lake Swimmers" feels in my neighbourhood, and "Rocky Spine" brings to mind the Canadian Shield.
If you've ever driven the Trans-Canada 'highway' skirting over the top of Lake Superior, it feels very real....
The lyrics suggest otherwise — namely, rather than having sex, the author is 'in a relationship' with the land (read: territory or landscape, one in which the author finds himself). You can find allusions to earth (hard and soft), sky, and water (and ice) easily in the lyrics.
Dunno, but "Great Lake Swimmers" feels in my neighbourhood, and "Rocky Spine" brings to mind the Canadian Shield.
If you've ever driven the Trans-Canada 'highway' skirting over the top of Lake Superior, it feels very real....
BCarn wrote:
I didn't claim to be "the authority"; you stated that this came out "before hipsters knew they were hipsters" which seemed to indicate that you did not count them among that demographic either - I guess I misinterpreted that. I only comment on RP part-time, in between chimney-sweeping gigs and volunteering at the Home For Retired Mimes - you can hear a pin drop in that place.
I'd count them. I'm quite sure you're not the authority to make that call. Nor is anyone. It just "is".
And, do you work or do you just comment on RP for a living?
And, do you work or do you just comment on RP for a living?
I didn't claim to be "the authority"; you stated that this came out "before hipsters knew they were hipsters" which seemed to indicate that you did not count them among that demographic either - I guess I misinterpreted that. I only comment on RP part-time, in between chimney-sweeping gigs and volunteering at the Home For Retired Mimes - you can hear a pin drop in that place.
SCULLY wrote:
Not imo or I would turn it off.
nice voice very much like Tracy Chapman`s
Not imo or I would turn it off.
OMG I was dancing with myslef to this in my kitchen!!!!!
rdo wrote:
The lyrics suggest otherwise — namely, rather than having sex, the author is 'in a relationship' with the land (read: territory or landscape, one in which the author finds himself). You can find allusions to earth (hard and soft), sky, and water (and ice) easily in the lyrics.
This is a song about a man having sex with a mountain.
The lyrics suggest otherwise — namely, rather than having sex, the author is 'in a relationship' with the land (read: territory or landscape, one in which the author finds himself). You can find allusions to earth (hard and soft), sky, and water (and ice) easily in the lyrics.
jameshay wrote:
If memory serves, your boys were leading the armies on both sides. Not a dig, just something to get the hand and chin to confer.
No surprise there surely - was it not us Scots that invented Canada? 
If memory serves, your boys were leading the armies on both sides. Not a dig, just something to get the hand and chin to confer.
BCarn wrote:
Nice work, if you can get it.
And, do you work or do you just comment on RP for a living?
Nice work, if you can get it.
great songMetaphor anyone?
Proclivities wrote:
I'd count them. I'm quite sure you're not the authority to make that call. Nor is anyone. It just "is".
And, do you work or do you just comment on RP for a living?
BCarn wrote:
But this came out before hipsters knew they were hipsters. (And the GLS are from Ontario)
It was only from 2007; there were plenty of self-consciously-beardy, Doc-Marten-wearing, buffalo-plaid-draped hipsters all over by then - Mumford & Sons, Bon Iver, etc.. I don't think I'd count these or their music guys among them.
But this came out before hipsters knew they were hipsters. (And the GLS are from Ontario)
It was only from 2007; there were plenty of self-consciously-beardy, Doc-Marten-wearing, buffalo-plaid-draped hipsters all over by then - Mumford & Sons, Bon Iver, etc.. I don't think I'd count these or their music guys among them.
I'd count them. I'm quite sure you're not the authority to make that call. Nor is anyone. It just "is".
And, do you work or do you just comment on RP for a living?
BCarn wrote:
But this came out before hipsters knew they were hipsters. (And the GLS are from Ontario)
It was only from 2007; there were plenty of self-consciously-beardy, Doc-Marten-wearing, buffalo-plaid-draped hipsters all over by then - Mumford & Sons, Bon Iver, etc.. I don't think I'd count these or their music guys among them.
But this came out before hipsters knew they were hipsters. (And the GLS are from Ontario)
It was only from 2007; there were plenty of self-consciously-beardy, Doc-Marten-wearing, buffalo-plaid-draped hipsters all over by then - Mumford & Sons, Bon Iver, etc.. I don't think I'd count these or their music guys among them.
More Canadian content in the past hour than even the over the air stations in Canada have to play by law. BTW, I don't listen to OTA. Just sayin'.
good song.
ppopp wrote:
But this came out before hipsters knew they were hipsters. (And the GLS are from Ontario)
Beardy, banjo Portlandy hipster sound.
But this came out before hipsters knew they were hipsters. (And the GLS are from Ontario)
Beardy, banjo Portlandy hipster sound.
nice voice very much like Tracy Chapman`s
First time hearing this song, and glad to have something new from GLS. Nice little tune.
eroz wrote:
Agree.
Really liking this tune...and the banjo.
Agree.
From Wainfleet — 100 km from Mississauga, the hockey capital of Ontario.
Now that's music to my ears.
Now that's music to my ears.
An 8, but 1 bonus point for the eagle.
Really liking this tune...and the banjo.
Richard_Gold wrote:
You can say that again.
This has been singularly the most enjoyable few hours of music I think I have ever heard played on a 'radio' station. Thanks so much, grat tunes without exception.
You can say that again.
Little dissapointed today 27/40 in first 4 songs today plays 88/90 in first 9 songs last time I tuned in.
Bonnie prince is similar
When the song begins, I always think it is Journey of the Sorcerer. Banjos are cool ...
dingleberry wrote:
No surprise there surely - was it not us Scots that invented Canada?
Well before I peeked I thought I was listening to Paolo Nutini - another artist I have been introduced to by RP. Which just goes to show I can't tell my Canucks from my Scotch.
No surprise there surely - was it not us Scots that invented Canada?
Well before I peeked I thought I was listening to Paolo Nutini - another artist I have been introduced to by RP. Which just goes to show I can't tell my Canucks from my Scotch.
This has been singularly the most enjoyable few hours of music I think I have ever heard played on a 'radio' station. Thanks so much, grat tunes without exception.
Ah, no, not for me.
Nice segue from Harry Manx "Bring That Thing"
Otomi wrote:
Source: https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8PNjzP8S8Bc/T94S5GOtdUI/AAAAAAAAAws/_zLUoaViixQ/s1600/2012.06.14+-+Get+Your+Rocks+Off.jpg
Ah, The Sun. Blew my mind as an exchange student in the UK to open that newspaper for the first time and find a picture of a lovely topless woman on Page 3. Pyroclastic flows indeed.
Source: https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8PNjzP8S8Bc/T94S5GOtdUI/AAAAAAAAAws/_zLUoaViixQ/s1600/2012.06.14+-+Get+Your+Rocks+Off.jpg
Ah, The Sun. Blew my mind as an exchange student in the UK to open that newspaper for the first time and find a picture of a lovely topless woman on Page 3. Pyroclastic flows indeed.
Myrtle_L wrote:
Gneiss!
Gneiss!
rdo wrote:
please don't take my observations for granite...I was being littoral...
Good one!!
please don't take my observations for granite...I was being littoral...
Good one!!
rdo wrote:
please don't take my observations for granite...I was being littoral...
Gneiss!
please don't take my observations for granite...I was being littoral...
Gneiss!
xkolibuul wrote:
A bit literal, are we?
please don't take my observations for granite...I was being littoral...
A bit literal, are we?
please don't take my observations for granite...I was being littoral...
CamLwalk wrote:
...ummm - love on the rocks??
There's geology in this song. Neat!
...ummm - love on the rocks??
Absolutely brilliant
Its a love song to a mountain
rdo wrote:
This is a song about a man having sex with a mountain.
A bit literal, are we?
This is a song about a man having sex with a mountain.
A bit literal, are we?
This really is a great song. Hey if you are going to overplay a song make it a good one!
Liking this ....a lot
NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
sexiest song ever written by a geologist
Indeed. Great lyrics.
sexiest song ever written by a geologistIndeed. Great lyrics.
Brilliant and beautiful this is folks.
Excellent segue from First Aid Kit's "Wolf" to this song - seamless.
rdo wrote:
This is a song about a man having sex with a mountain.
Better a mountain than a mole-hill. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
This is a song about a man having sex with a mountain.
Better a mountain than a mole-hill. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
rdo wrote:
This is a song about a man having sex with a mountain.
wow
This is a song about a man having sex with a mountain.
wow
NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
sexiest song ever written by a geologist
This is a song about a man having sex with a mountain.
sexiest song ever written by a geologistThis is a song about a man having sex with a mountain.
NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
sexiest song ever written by a geologist
even bill liked that one
sexiest song ever written by a geologisteven bill liked that one
Quite likable.
WonderLizard wrote:
sexiest song ever written by a geologist
They get some kind of award for sustaining a metaphor...tho' the "frozen veneer" is not encouraging.
I was lost in the lakes
And the shapes that your body makes
That your body makes, that your body makes
That your body makes
The mountains said I could find you here
They whispered the snow and the leaves in my ear
I traced my finger along your trails
Your body was the map, I was lost in it
Floating over your rocky spine
The glaciers made you, and now youýre mine
Floating over your rocky spine
The glaciers made you, and now you're mine
I was moving across your frozen veneer
The sky was dark but you were clear
Could you feel my footsteps
And would you shatter, would you shatter, would you
And with your soft fingers between my claws
Like purity against resolve
I could tell, then and there, that we were formed from the clay
And came from the rocks for the earth to display
They told me to be careful up there
Where the wind blows a venomous rage through your hair
They told me to be careful up there
Where the wind rages through your hair
I was lost in the lakes
And the shapes that your body makes
That your body makes, that your body makes
That your body makes
The mountains said I could find you here
They whispered the snow and the leaves in my ear
I traced my finger along your trails
Your body was the map, I was lost in it
Floating over your rocky spine
The glaciers made you, and now youýre mine
Floating over your rocky spine
The glaciers made you, and now you're mine
I was moving across your frozen veneer
The sky was dark but you were clear
Could you feel my footsteps
And would you shatter, would you shatter, would you
And with your soft fingers between my claws
Like purity against resolve
I could tell, then and there, that we were formed from the clay
And came from the rocks for the earth to display
They told me to be careful up there
Where the wind blows a venomous rage through your hair
They told me to be careful up there
Where the wind rages through your hair
sexiest song ever written by a geologistThis is my current favorite RP-prompted download.
Found a free download at Amazon-this is another example of a truly great new band and gives hope for the future of music in all it's forms.
Bill... where do you find all of these gems?
This is magnificent, mate!
They're playing tomorrow night in DC and I can't go... :(
Still sounds great!
kickback73 wrote:
Greetings from 20 minutes North. Nice to see other locals listening to RP instead of 'The Wolf'.
So nice, reminds me of my home provence of Ontario. No mountains per say but very Ontarian style music.
Greetings from 20 minutes North. Nice to see other locals listening to RP instead of 'The Wolf'.
So nice, reminds me of my home provence of Ontario. No mountains per say but very Ontarian style music.
Just a few notes and I stop to listen...Good choice...Thank You
Stingray wrote:
nice
The harmonizing Banjo is lovely!
nice
Regardless of the lyrics "Frozen veneer" (metaphor or not...doesn't matter really) but there's really nothing wrong with that since there are much worse lyrics out there. Unless we post our own lyrics or poetry we mustn't criticize! Anyway, this band is fantastic. Saw them recently.
They get some kind of award for sustaining a metaphor...tho' the "frozen veneer" is not encouraging.
I was lost in the lakes
And the shapes that your body makes
That your body makes, that your body makes
That your body makes
The mountains said I could find you here
They whispered the snow and the leaves in my ear
I traced my finger along your trails
Your body was the map, I was lost in it
Floating over your rocky spine
The glaciers made you, and now youýre mine
Floating over your rocky spine
The glaciers made you, and now you're mine
I was moving across your frozen veneer
The sky was dark but you were clear
Could you feel my footsteps
And would you shatter, would you shatter, would you
And with your soft fingers between my claws
Like purity against resolve
I could tell, then and there, that we were formed from the clay
And came from the rocks for the earth to display
They told me to be careful up there
Where the wind blows a venomous rage through your hair
They told me to be careful up there
Where the wind rages through your hair
I was lost in the lakes
And the shapes that your body makes
That your body makes, that your body makes
That your body makes
The mountains said I could find you here
They whispered the snow and the leaves in my ear
I traced my finger along your trails
Your body was the map, I was lost in it
Floating over your rocky spine
The glaciers made you, and now youýre mine
Floating over your rocky spine
The glaciers made you, and now you're mine
I was moving across your frozen veneer
The sky was dark but you were clear
Could you feel my footsteps
And would you shatter, would you shatter, would you
And with your soft fingers between my claws
Like purity against resolve
I could tell, then and there, that we were formed from the clay
And came from the rocks for the earth to display
They told me to be careful up there
Where the wind blows a venomous rage through your hair
They told me to be careful up there
Where the wind rages through your hair
Banjos!
LOVELY harmonizing!
Pretty song.
This song is swell!
WonderLizard wrote:
It's on my "bucket list".
Isle Royale NP is an amazing adventure. Accessible only by boat, it is mostly a reclaimed wilderness in which moose and gray wolves roam freely. No worries—the wolves avoid humans like the plague. Not so the moose. When you hear them coming—it's like thunder—you make sure you can get out of the way. Loons. Bald eagles. Cormorants. Another definition of Paradise.
It's on my "bucket list".
WOW... This song blew me away...
Still love this song ...
Stingray wrote:
Check out Frontier Ruckus sometime!
The harmonizing Banjo is lovely!
Check out Frontier Ruckus sometime!
The harmonizing Banjo is lovely!
There's geology in this song. Neat!
They approve.
I still think this song and band are GREAT! 9 ish
Otomi wrote:
It's Isle Royal, the 50 mile long rocky spine of cool, clear Lake Superior. You can hike the length of it in four or five days.
I copped the photo from a tourist web site (https://www.visitusa.com/michigan/images/isleroyale-nationalpark/isleroyale-basmentrock.jpg).
Isle Royale NP is an amazing adventure. Accessible only by boat, it is mostly a reclaimed wilderness in which moose and gray wolves roam freely. No worries—the wolves avoid humans like the plague. Not so the moose. When you hear them coming—it's like thunder—you make sure you can get out of the way. Loons. Bald eagles. Cormorants. Another definition of Paradise.
It's Isle Royal, the 50 mile long rocky spine of cool, clear Lake Superior. You can hike the length of it in four or five days.
I copped the photo from a tourist web site (https://www.visitusa.com/michigan/images/isleroyale-nationalpark/isleroyale-basmentrock.jpg).
Isle Royale NP is an amazing adventure. Accessible only by boat, it is mostly a reclaimed wilderness in which moose and gray wolves roam freely. No worries—the wolves avoid humans like the plague. Not so the moose. When you hear them coming—it's like thunder—you make sure you can get out of the way. Loons. Bald eagles. Cormorants. Another definition of Paradise.
Tony Dekker should be given an honorary doctorate in geomorphology. Love all his songs.
helgigermany wrote:
It's Isle Royal, the 50 mile long rocky spine of cool, clear Lake Superior. You can hike the length of it in four or five days.
I copped the photo from a tourist web site (https://www.visitusa.com/michigan/images/isleroyale-nationalpark/isleroyale-basmentrock.jpg).
Beautiful picture!
It's Isle Royal, the 50 mile long rocky spine of cool, clear Lake Superior. You can hike the length of it in four or five days.
I copped the photo from a tourist web site (https://www.visitusa.com/michigan/images/isleroyale-nationalpark/isleroyale-basmentrock.jpg).
Been gone a while, this is nice to come back to.
Otomi wrote:
Beautiful picture!
that cat can play a mean banjo 
8
9my fav GLS song...
LOVE the banjo in this....
I don't have MP3 to give to Bill, (and i'm sure he gets this all the time) but he needs check out www.gangstagrass.com. Rap meets Bluegrass. Weird but it somehow works.
I dig the song Big Branch featuring Tomasia.
I don't have MP3 to give to Bill, (and i'm sure he gets this all the time) but he needs check out www.gangstagrass.com. Rap meets Bluegrass. Weird but it somehow works.
I dig the song Big Branch featuring Tomasia.
WayUpNorth wrote:
Me too. Very nice.
My ears perk up each time I hear this song begin ... still lovin' it.
Me too. Very nice.
Source: https://www.visitusa.com/michigan/images/isleroyale-nationalpark/isleroyale-basmentrock.jpg
And with your soft fingers between my claws
Like purity against resolve
I could tell, then and there, that we were formed from the clay
And came from the rocks for the earth to display
My ears perk up each time I hear this song begin ... still lovin' it.
Me like...yes
Interesting sound, but if you've heard one cd, you've heard all of them. Kind of a repetitive sound to my ears.
Giselle62 wrote:
Well, now it's a couple of months but, yes, another RP discovery. Just got Lost Channels, which is outstanding. Looks like this one's next.
I like it immediately—-then see it is Great Lake Swimmers: a band just discovered in the last 2 weeks because of RP.
Well, now it's a couple of months but, yes, another RP discovery. Just got Lost Channels, which is outstanding. Looks like this one's next.
annie_fannie wrote:
Me too ... gotta get this tune very soon.
beautiful...upped my rating today!
Me too ... gotta get this tune very soon.
rtrudeau wrote:
Welcome back, Excelsior. Now go away.
Oh come on, don't use that name so loosely. This guy only has one comment, and it doesn't involve a bunch of puking smiley faces.
Welcome back, Excelsior. Now go away.
Oh come on, don't use that name so loosely. This guy only has one comment, and it doesn't involve a bunch of puking smiley faces.
"Moving over your rocky spine / Made by the glaciers, now you are mine" - as a mountain/hill walker I can sort of understand that, but not the "you are mine" bit. Perhaps the other way around - I often feel as if I belong to the mountain when I walk on it. I'm certainly at its mercy...
Or have I read these lyrics perhaps a little too literally? I've not paid right much attention as the song's a bit on the dull side...
Or have I read these lyrics perhaps a little too literally? I've not paid right much attention as the song's a bit on the dull side...
beautiful...upped my rating today!
Nice segue from Strength In Numbers.