I used to be a farmer and I made a living fine
I had a little stretch of land along the CP line
But times were tough and though I tried, the money wasn’t there
'Til bankers came and took my land and told me “Fair is fair.”

I looked for every kind of job, the answer always “no.”
“Hire you now?” they’d laugh and say, “We just let forty go.”
The government, it promised me a measly little sum
But I’ve got too much pride to end up just another bum.

But I thought, who gives a damn if all the jobs are gone.
I’m gonna be a pirate on the river Saskatchewan!