Chapter 10: The Move to Calgary

Canadian 70s rock, No Time Left for You, Taking Care of Business, Sweet City Woman

“Conrad Crescent, 1972”

Verse 1
In nineteen seventy-two we packed it up,
Company said, Calgary’s the hub.
Western offices, one address now,
So we took our holidays early,
A month ahead of the move.

While others stayed in Edmonton
Right up to the final day,
Selling houses,
Living on expenses,
Waiting to land—
We were already there.

Pre-Chorus
We bought the house, turned the key,
No hotel rooms, no uncertainty.

Chorus
We were settled before the dust came down,
On the side of Nose Hill, north-west town.
3143, Conrad Crescent,
Clear skies, mountains in the distance.
The views were wide, the future too,
Calgary felt new in ’72.

Verse 2
At first the city and mountains
Filled every window.
Later the trees grew tall,
And slowly
They took the view away.

But the place stayed solid.
The house stayed home.

Verse 3
People felt different from Edmonton—
Store clerks talked,
Especially during Stampede.
Friendly voices, easy smiles.
It was noticeable.
It mattered.

Infrastructure worked.
By the early eighties
The LRT had room to breathe—
Seats for everyone,
No standing shoulder to shoulder,
Morning or night.

Chorus
We were settled before the dust came down,
On the side of Nose Hill, north-west town.
Trains ran smooth, the city fit,
There was space for everyone in it.
It was calm, it worked, it felt brand new,
Calgary felt right in ’72.

Verse 4
The foothills were close.
Banff was easy.
Campgrounds had space,
You could always find
Somewhere for the tent.

Nothing felt rushed.
Nothing felt crowded.
Facilities matched the people using them.

Bridge
Time adds people.
Time adds noise.
Cities change without asking.
Downtown feels tighter now,
More complicated,
Harder to move through
Without thinking twice.

It wasn’t like that then.

Verse 5
In nineteen eighty-eight,
The Winter Olympics came to town.
You joined in as much or as little as you wanted.
It belonged to everyone—
And it was good.

Final Chorus (lift it)
We were settled before the dust came down,
Before the city grew fast and loud.
From open roads to crowded streets,
I remember when it still had seats.
I don’t say better—just different now,
But I’m glad I knew Calgary when.

Outro
Conrad Crescent.
Early years.
Clear views—
Before the trees.

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“Conrad Crescent, 1972” Verse 1 In nineteen seventy-two we packed it up, Company said, Calgary’s the hub. Western offices, one address now, So we took our holidays early, A month ahead of the move. While others stayed in Edmonton Right up to the final day, Selling houses, Living on expenses, Waiting to land— We were already there. Pre-Chorus We bought the house, turned the key, No hotel rooms, no uncertainty. Chorus We were settled before the dust came down, On the side of Nose Hill, north-west town. 3143, Conrad Crescent, Clear skies, mountains in the distance. The views were wide, the future too, Calgary felt new in ’72. Verse 2 At first the city and mountains Filled every window. Later the trees grew tall, And slowly They took the view away. But the place stayed solid. The house stayed home. Verse 3 People felt different from Edmonton— Store clerks talked, Especially during Stampede. Friendly voices, easy smiles. It was noticeable. It mattered. Infrastructure worked. By the early eighties The LRT had room to breathe— Seats for everyone, No standing shoulder to shoulder, Morning or night. Chorus We were settled before the dust came down, On the side of Nose Hill, north-west town. Trains ran smooth, the city fit, There was space for everyone in it. It was calm, it worked, it felt brand new, Calgary felt right in ’72. Verse 4 The foothills were close. Banff was easy. Campgrounds had space, You could always find Somewhere for the tent. Nothing felt rushed. Nothing felt crowded. Facilities matched the people using them. Bridge Time adds people. Time adds noise. Cities change without asking. Downtown feels tighter now, More complicated, Harder to move through Without thinking twice. It wasn’t like that then. Verse 5 In nineteen eighty-eight, The Winter Olympics came to town. You joined in as much or as little as you wanted. It belonged to everyone— And it was good. Final Chorus (lift it) We were settled before the dust came down, Before the city grew fast and loud. From open roads to crowded streets, I remember when it still had seats. I don’t say better—just different now, But I’m glad I knew Calgary when. Outro Conrad Crescent. Early years. Clear views— Before the trees.

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