For those of us who have survived Ontario’s north country, and the clouds of black, there are few things more Canadian than the black fly. Or Wade Hemsworth, singer/songwriter, surveyor, and World War II veteran.
(You can view the 1991 NFB short by clicking.)
Many of you won’t know the name of the singer, but will recognize the song. And a few others, like Log Driver’s Waltz and The Wild Goose. They are part of the Canadian folk canon. Thanks ot our National Film Board, they’ve become immortalized as part of our larger heritage.
And the black flies, the little black flies
Always the black fly no matter where you go
I’ll die with the black fly a-pickin’ my bones
In North Ontar-i-o-i-o, In North Ontar-i-o
Northern Ontario in a nutshell.
Happy 141rd Canada Day. 99 years older than me.