Two Acres

For four decades, I introduced myself to my students as having been raised in the center of the universe. When they inquired about its location, I would playfully challenge them to guess. Some mentioned their hometowns, while others ventured to larger cities like Toronto or even New York. We frequently engaged in a delightful exploration of the distinctive features of various places. This exercise fostered a deeper understanding of their personalities and cultural backgrounds. Eventually, I would reveal the name of my hometown - Chelmsford, Ontario.

This song takes us on a nostalgic journey back to that wonderful place. It begins by sketching its beginnings, then moves on to highlight its main areas of commerce, and concludes with a few personal anecdotes.

Lyrics

Verse 1
They followed the billows from a train
Long before a mighty highway came
And in between those years
They shed many tears
When called up to fight a war again

Verse 2
Settled in a chokecherry pasture
Nestled on an Anishnawbek plain
They farmed in the clay
And mined along the way
For a place they were proud to call their own.

Chorus
That’s the hometown I remember
That’s the hometown I love
Two acres of land
A place to take a stand
Raise a family with a plan to prosper

Bridge
There’s an empty lot next door
Room to press our games of conquer
You and I were there
With bruises, unaware
Imagining trophies of our own.

Verse 3
I hear the bells of St. Joseph
On the steps of a downtown jewelry store
I still see that lady finger-picking
On a sandy Whitson River shore

Chorus (x2)
That’s the hometown I remember
That’s the hometown I love
Two acres of land
And a place to take a stand
Raise a family with a plan to prosper

Two Acres ©️2024