The great Train Robbery of 2014/15!

[TOM4CWB]

Who here... thinks I should write and publish a book... about how badly grain farmers have taken the great 'Hunter... to the cleaners!

[SASKFARMER3]

Andy Schmidt I believe wrote one a few years ago. Yes it has happened again but you have to add in the elevators also.

[TOM4CWB]

SF3, The Elevators robbing the railways? I had not thought of including that! Great Idea!!!

[farmaholic]

Tom, isn't it the other way around? You will have to wait for it to happen the way you're describing it.

[sumdumguy]

That Andy Schmitz?

[TOM4CWB]

I used to be a farmer, and I made a living fine,
I had a little stretch of land along the CP line
But times were hard and though I tried, the money wasn't there
And the bankers came and took my land and told me "fair is fair"

I looked for every kind of job, the answer always no
"Hire you now?" they'd always laugh, "we just let twenty go!"
The government, the promised me a measly little sum
But I've got too much pride to end up just another bum.

Then I thought, who gives a damn if all the jobs are gone?
I'm gonna be a PIRATE on the river Saskatchewan!

And it's a heave-ho, hi-ho, comin' down the plains
Stealin' wheat and barley and all the other grains
It's a ho-hey, hi-hey farmers bar yer doors
When ya see the Jolly Roger on Regina's mighty shoresWell, you'd think the local farmers would know that I'm at large
But just the other day I found an unprotected barge
I snuck up right behind them and they were none the wiser,
I rammed their ship and sank it and I stole their fertilizer!

A bridge outside of Moose Jaw spans a mighty river
Farmers cross in so much fear their stomachs are a'quiver
Cause they know that Tractor Jack is hidin' in the bay
I'll jump the bridge and knock them cold and sail off with their hay!

And it's a heave-ho, hi-ho, comin' down the plains
Stealin' wheat and barley and all the other grains
It's a ho-hey, hi-hey farmers bar yer doors
When ya see the Jolly Roger on Regina's mighty shores

Well, Mountie Bob he chased me, he was always at my throat
He followed on the shoreline cause he didn't own a boat
But cutbacks were a'coming and the Mountie lost his job
So now he's sailing with us, and we call him Salty Bob!A swingin' sword, a skull and bones and pleasant company
I never pay my income tax and screw the GST (SCREW IT!!)
Sailin down to Saskatoon, the terror of the seas
If you wanna reach the co-op, boy, you gotta get by me!

Cause it's a heave-ho, hi-ho, comin' down the plains
Stealin' wheat and barley and all the other grains
It's a ho-hey, hi-hey farmers bar yer doors
When ya see the Jolly Roger on Regina's mighty shores

(*spoken* Arrrr! Ya salty dog!)
(*spoken* Arrrr! Ya salty gopher!)
(*spoken* Arr.. ya.. salty bale of hay!)
Well, Pirate life's appealing but you just don't find it here,
I hear in North Alberta there's a band of buccaneers
They roam the Athabaska from Smith to Fort McKay
And you're gonna lose your Stetson if you have to pass their way!

Well, winter is a'comin' and a chill is in the breeze
My Pirate days are over once the river starts to freeze
I'll be back in springtime but now I have to go
I hear there's lots of plunderin' down in New Mexico!Well, winter is a'comin' and a chill is in the breeze
My Pirate days are over once the river starts to freeze
I'll be back in springtime but now I have to go
I hear there's lots of plunderin' down in New Mexico!

Cause it's a heave-ho, hi-ho, comin' down the plains
Stealin' wheat and barley and all the other grains
It's a ho-hey, hi-hey farmers bar yer doors
When ya see the Jolly Roger on Regina's mighty shores...x2

When ya see the Jolly Roger on Regina's mighty shores...x2

[Hopalong]

Don Baron wrote 'Canada's Great Grain Robbery' which says on cover ' the amazing story of how a false social gospel shackled the West and Canada'.
Andy Schmidt was UCLA and Florida State university professor with farming interest north of Moose Jaw. Also defender and proponent for wheat board.
Still remember response from top North Dakota grains official to Andy proposing expanding wheat board powers into ND.

[TOM4CWB]

Question, Is the 'water', and 'river' in this song, the vast prairie of nodding wheat, barley, and all the other grains?

So then the logical extension is...??? the rail???

[TOM4CWB]

farma, I must defend the railers... or will be sued!

Hop... I know Don has pages about me in his book!

[Braveheart]

I've been to a fun barn dance at the Schmitz farm by Moose Jaw. Loads of fun, but it didn't endear me to his papers studying the barley market and the CWB.

Tom, would your book be a comedy per chance? With your penchant for piracy these days be careful not to steal anyone else's words.

[TOM4CWB]

Brave, are you thinking "The great Train Robbery of 2014/15!" would be stealing another persons words? Other than the lit plaque on the great hunters wall... that flashes these words?

[TOM4CWB]

Brave,

Do you think it funny?

I am hurt!!!

[farmaholic]

You have much thicker skin than that Tom.

[TOM4CWB]

Farma,

I am working on that!

I wonder... does a Hunger Strike help ones skin get thicker?

If one... writes a book about being the instigator of a great train robbery... does that cause thicker skin?

[Braveheart]

Relax Tom. Just trying to lighten the mood by referring to your pirate songs.

Policy is a bottomless pit. Be careful how much you throw into it.

I know Larry Maguire isn't your MP, but he understands the rail issue as it relates to farmers better than most of his fellow MPs. Try calling him with your suggestions for rail reform.