John Moberly was a metis settler who lived in the Athabasca valley before the park was founded. They kicked him out but gave him some money and some land outside the park. Who knows if he was okay with that...
lyrics
All the fires are out
in the meadows
of the homesteads on
the Athabasca shores
And the lives that they built
in this wildland
are just a memory now
of the times that came before
all the plans that were laid
to make the valley more
John Moberly
can't you see?
the West's not as wild as it used to be
and the word comin' down from the city
is you've gotta leave.
All the hard times livin'
in the mountains
through the feast
and the famine
and the cold of the wintersleep
But there was always a hand
when you needed
never asking for more than a thanks
and a hand next week
oh the times that have passed
of which we never speak
John Moberly
can't you see?
the West's not as wild as it used to be
and the word coming down from the city
is you've gotta leave
So pack up your horses and your family
and pull up your roots
and head to the East
there's a railway comin'
and they don't want you to be seen
all your brothers and sisters are moving out
where they can be free!