03-05 | Vancouver Island: The Coast of Colonial Casualties

+ Show full styles

V5.5

[Intro]
(Spooky, bouncy piano starts playing a ragtime rhythm)
(Sound of rain and a clinking teacup)
Welcome to the island, where the ocean views are grand! But the ghosts are always freezing in this damp, Victorian land! They complain about the mildew, and they’re covered up in tweed, Yeah, the afterlife in Canada is a tragic, soggy breed!   [Verse 1]
Down at the Fairmont Empress, it’s a high-society haunt! Architect Francis Rattenbury is looking rather gaunt. He was murdered by his chauffeur, which was quite a heavy blow, Now he wanders down the service halls with nowhere else to go! And the maids are going crazy, their minds are getting played, 'Cause the ghosts pull back the sheets and leave the hotel beds unmade!   [Chorus]
(Energetic group harmonies, accordion swells)
Oh, the ghosts of British Columbia are cold and very damp! From the rich men in their castles to the sulfur mining camp! They are sipping phantom tea, and they're judging how you stand, The most polite and miserable spooks in all the land!   [Verse 2]
Now Robert Dunsmuir built a castle, an opulent display, But he died before he moved in, to his ultimate dismay! There’s a lady in a white ball gown upon the winding stair, While a crying Dunsmuir daughter leaves a cold spot in the air! Over at St. Ann's Academy, the convent halls are tense, With a phantom choir singing and the smell of burnt incense!   [Piano Solo](Fast, chaotic, honky-tonk piano solo mixed with a spooky theremin)[Bridge]
(Tempo drops, heavier, stomping rhythm)
But up in dark Nanaimo, things are looking pretty grim! Wally the ghost miner smells like smoke, it's really him! Down at the wooden Bastion, you can hear the metal clang, Just a working-class phantom crew, an afterlife chain gang! They don't want a cup of tea, they don't want a fancy bed, They just want some better wages and a hard hat for their head!   [Chorus]
(Maximum energy, full band)
Oh, the ghosts of British Columbia are cold and very damp! From the rich men in their castles to the sulfur mining camp! They are sipping phantom tea, and they're judging how you stand, The most polite and miserable spooks in all the land!   [Outro]
(Music slows down to a polite, gentle sway)
And if you're wandering the sixth floor, don't you worry, friend, An elderly woman will guide you to the elevator by the end! 
(A single piano chord rings out)
(Spoken) "Watch your step, eh." 
[End]

2408/7500

[Intro] (Spooky, bouncy piano starts playing a ragtime rhythm) (Sound of rain and a clinking teacup) Welcome to the island, where the ocean views are grand! But the ghosts are always freezing in this damp, Victorian land! They complain about the mildew, and they’re covered up in tweed, Yeah, the afterlife in Canada is a tragic, soggy breed! [Verse 1] Down at the Fairmont Empress, it’s a high-society haunt! Architect Francis Rattenbury is looking rather gaunt. He was murdered by his chauffeur, which was quite a heavy blow, Now he wanders down the service halls with nowhere else to go! And the maids are going crazy, their minds are getting played, 'Cause the ghosts pull back the sheets and leave the hotel beds unmade! [Chorus] (Energetic group harmonies, accordion swells) Oh, the ghosts of British Columbia are cold and very damp! From the rich men in their castles to the sulfur mining camp! They are sipping phantom tea, and they're judging how you stand, The most polite and miserable spooks in all the land! [Verse 2] Now Robert Dunsmuir built a castle, an opulent display, But he died before he moved in, to his ultimate dismay! There’s a lady in a white ball gown upon the winding stair, While a crying Dunsmuir daughter leaves a cold spot in the air! Over at St. Ann's Academy, the convent halls are tense, With a phantom choir singing and the smell of burnt incense! [Piano Solo](Fast, chaotic, honky-tonk piano solo mixed with a spooky theremin)[Bridge] (Tempo drops, heavier, stomping rhythm) But up in dark Nanaimo, things are looking pretty grim! Wally the ghost miner smells like smoke, it's really him! Down at the wooden Bastion, you can hear the metal clang, Just a working-class phantom crew, an afterlife chain gang! They don't want a cup of tea, they don't want a fancy bed, They just want some better wages and a hard hat for their head! [Chorus] (Maximum energy, full band) Oh, the ghosts of British Columbia are cold and very damp! From the rich men in their castles to the sulfur mining camp! They are sipping phantom tea, and they're judging how you stand, The most polite and miserable spooks in all the land! [Outro] (Music slows down to a polite, gentle sway) And if you're wandering the sixth floor, don't you worry, friend, An elderly woman will guide you to the elevator by the end! (A single piano chord rings out) (Spoken) "Watch your step, eh." [End]

0/500