Here is our first attempt at recording a song from scratch! The Stomper was inspired after reading Stompin’ Tom Connors autobiography. I remember sitting in a Communications course at Ottawa U one evening and scribbling out the lyrics as they came into my brain. By the end of the class, I had the entire song written out and went home to figure out how to play it.
Clearly the song takes liberally from The Hockey Song but it’s meant to be an homage and be familiar to the listener.
Hilariously enough, I have no idea why I wrote a line about him in Tillsonbourg picking potatoes. Connie pointed out the mistake and I sometimes wonder if I had read that in the autobiography somewhere. I couldn’t find evidence of it so I clearly mixed up PEI and Tillsonbourg!
It’s incredible to think that back in 2008 when Troy finished mixing this song, he had to mail it to me on a CD! I remember getting it in the mail and chatting with him afterwards about how good our first project turned out.
Recording Notes
Recorded in the Red Room, London ON in August 2007.
Guitar and Vocals: Ryan Palmer
Drum Programming: Troy Palmer
Bass and backing vocals: Daryl Oram
Lyrics
Starting out, we’re heading out from the east side of the Nation
Get some food and a place to snooze, it’s cause for celebration
If none were found you hoofed it down to the nearest train station
One must remember hiking like this sure ain’t a vacation
No cash in hand or a backing band, he slept in a the local prison
An odd job there, walking everywhere is no way to make a living
With a guitar on his back and a big black hat, a great Canadian is risen
Bring your friends, until the party ends, a good time he’ll be givin’
Just call him the Stomper
Get ready for the thunder
Hide him from your mother
Just call him the Stomper
The songs he sang, heard you have, are based out of your city
Don’t push me out, don’t stop me yet, let me sing you a little diddy
His foot stomped down, on the ground, for the owner I felt pity
With no plywood down, on the ground, carpet wouldn’t be looking pretty
Missed his show, he had to go but he’ll be back in here later
In Tillsonburg he broke his back picking through all the tater
The mobs in Kap, didn’t like the chap, but their wishes he didn’t cater
To say it suffice, he was on thin ice, good thing he’s a great skater