Lyrics
In the land of the long roads
In the vast expanse with lengthy roads
High, lonesome prairies
Wide, desolate grasslands
Dreamin' of the springtime
Imagining the arrival of spring
First crocus in the snow
First appearance of crocuses in the snow
Coffee in a go-cup
Coffee in a portable cup
He's headed for the oil rig
He's on his way to an oil rig
Land of shining mountains
Region with majestic mountains reflecting light
Big Alberta sky
Expansive sky characteristic of Alberta
The old man in the castle
An elderly man in a fortress or stronghold
Red deer and the battle
A reference to Red Deer and a historical conflict
Rivers in a dry land
Rivers in a dry region supporting urban areas
Feed the cities of the plain
These rivers nourish the cities on the plains
But nothin' lasts forever
Emphasizing the impermanence of things
On the Great Divide
On the significant geographical division
Land of shining mountains
Reiteration of the luminous mountainous area
Big Alberta Sky
The vast sky characteristic of Alberta
In the night, I have heard the thunder roll
Narrator recalling thunder in the night
In my days, I have felt the wind and rain
Experiencing wind and rain over the years
Like the cowboy said, I wish I'd seen the buffalo
Expressing a desire to witness buffalo, echoing a cowboy's sentiment
Maybe they'll come back again
Hopeful anticipation of the buffalo's return
He's gonna get up early
Planning to rise early for work
Try and make a dollar
Striving to earn a living
The only girl he wanted
Reference to a lost love and a desire for wealth
Took the Greyhound for the coast
She took a bus to the west coast
But she was bound for leavin'
She was determined to leave
She will not forget him
Assurance that she won't forget him
Or the land of shining mountains
Reflection on the enduring beauty of the mountainous land
Big Alberta sky
Continued appreciation of the vast Alberta sky
Land of shining mountains
Reiteration of the luminous mountainous area
Big Alberta sky
Emphasizing the expansive sky of Alberta once again
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