Yukon Quest

Posted by Colin on Sunday February 14, 2010 Comment

I’m halfway through my stint as Dawson City’s Resident Songwriter. Thus far I’ve managed to write a handful of songs for a future album, but the most memorable song was written yesterday.

I spent the morning in Mr. Menzies’ Grade 3 class co-writing “Yukon Quest is the Best” with the kids. It’s a song about the annual Yukon Quest dog sled race, supposedly the toughest mushing race around. Its participants are currently on a brief layover in Dawson.

The kids have been following this year’s race since the dogs left the starting blocks and their enthusiasm shows in the chorus they wrote:

Yukon Quest is the best
Fairbanks to Whitehorse, 1000 miles to you

For the record, this is probably the best song I’ve written since I’ve been here, and the kids did most of the work. They’re total pros. I’m going back next week to record it with them.

In other news, I was told the other night during a pick-up curling game that I’m a worse curler than both Martin Tielli and Laura Barrett. No kidding.