© Maria Dunn, 2024

Arranged M. Dunn, S. Johnson, J. McDade

In Spring 2020, the Alberta government quietly cancelled the 1976 Coal Policy that banned coal exploration and mining in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. Since then, people from all walks of life in Alberta have been raising their voices to protect this stunning area and the headwaters that are the source for much of the province’s drinking water. Southwestern Alberta has also experienced severe drought in recent years. In that context, rancher Laura Laing explained, “coal is a thirsty business”. (Globe & Mail, November 20, 2023: Australian company revives its push for a controversial coal mine in Alberta).

Coal is a thirsty business

Drinks our rivers dry

And tears down everything in sight

A brawler on the rye

A drunkard on a spree

Who never gets enough

Who cannot see to stop (!)

Before they self-destruct

Coal is a thirsty business       

Drinks our rivers dry

We've surely hit rock bottom

To blast our mountains high

Coal is a thirsty business

Parches all that grows

And leaves behind selenium

To poison what still flows

Ravaging the rivers

You’d think would shut ‘em down

But greed relentless, crafty

Sneaks north ‘n’ back around

Maria Dunn  vocal, acoustic guitar

Joel Gray  trumpet

Shannon Johnson  harmony vocal

Jeremiah McDade  soprano saxophone, harmony vocal

Solon McDade  upright bass

Daniel Stadnicki  percussion