Roll on Columbia
Harnessing Nature's Power: The Legacy of Columbia River
Lyrics
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Expresses the ongoing movement and vitality of the Columbia River.
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Reiterates the call for the Columbia River to continue its flow and progress.
Your power is turning our darkness to dawn
Highlights the transformative power of the river, symbolically representing progress and development.
So roll on, Columbia, roll on
Repeats the encouragement for the Columbia River's continuous movement and impact.
Green Douglas firs where the waters cut through
Describes the presence of green Douglas firs along the riverbanks and the river's path through mountains and canyons.
Down her wild mountains and canyons she flew
Emphasizes the river's wild and natural course through the rugged terrain.
Canadian Northwest to the oceans so blue
Mentions the river's journey from the Canadian Northwest to the clear blue oceans.
Roll on Columbia, roll on
Encourages the continuous flow and progression of the Columbia River.
Other great rivers add power to you
Acknowledges other rivers contributing to the Columbia's power, naming the Yakima, Snake, Klickitat, Sandy Willamette, and Hood River.
Yakima, Snake, and the Klickitat, too
Highlights specific rivers that add their strength to the Columbia's power.
Sandy Willamette and Hood River too
Lists additional rivers that contribute to the Columbia's flow.
So roll on, Columbia, roll on
Encourages the continued progress and movement of the Columbia River.
Tom Jefferson's vision would not let him rest
References Thomas Jefferson's vision of expansion and development in the Pacific Northwest.
An empire he saw in the Pacific Northwest
Highlights Jefferson's belief in the potential of the Pacific Northwest for national growth and empire-building.
Sent Lewis and Clark and they did the rest
Mentions Lewis and Clark's exploration and role in fulfilling Jefferson's vision.
So roll on, Columbia, roll on
Encourages the ongoing progress and development of the Columbia River in line with Jefferson's vision.
It's there on your banks that we fought many a fight
Refers to historical conflicts fought along the riverbanks, particularly mentioning Sheridan's troops in a blockhouse.
Sheridan's boys in the blockhouse that night
Specifically mentions a historical event involving Sheridan's troops in a defensive position on the river.
They saw us in death but never in flight
Highlights the bravery and resilience of those involved in the conflicts along the Columbia River.
So roll on Columbia, roll on
Encourages the continuous movement and progress of the Columbia River despite past conflicts.
At Bonneville now there are ships in the locks
References Bonneville Dam and the improvement in river navigation due to its construction.
The waters have risen and cleared all the rocks
Describes how the dam's construction led to the rise of water levels and the removal of obstacles like rocks.
Shiploads of plenty will steam past the docks
Foresees increased trade and prosperity due to improved navigation along the river.
So roll on, Columbia, roll on
Encourages the ongoing progress and prosperity facilitated by improved navigation on the Columbia River.
And on up the river is Grand Coulee Dam
Highlights the significance of Grand Coulee Dam in harnessing the river's power for industrial and agricultural purposes.
The mightiest thing ever built by a man
Emphasizes the enormity and significance of Grand Coulee Dam as a human-made structure.
To run the great factories and water the land
Highlights the dam's purpose: to provide energy for factories and irrigation for the land.
So roll on, Columbia, roll on
Encourages the continuous utilization of the Columbia River's power for human benefit.
These mighty men labored by day and by night
Commends the hard work and dedication of those involved in taming the river for human purposes.
Matching their strength 'gainst the river's wild flight
Describes the efforts of people working tirelessly against the river's natural forces to achieve their goals.
Through rapids and falls, they won the hard fight
Celebrates the victory of humans against the challenges posed by the river, symbolized by rapids and falls.
So roll on, Columbia, roll on
Encourages the continuous progress and development of the Columbia River.
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