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Fighting Fire with Fire

from Calm Before The Storm by Dave Semple

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about

I came across a new personal hero. I was upset that I’d never heard of him before. He was a First Nation’s sniper in WWI. I was honoured to sing this song at the dedication of his statue in Parry Sound in June of 2016.

lyrics

Fighting Fire with Fire

Francis fought the fires out on Spirit Lake.
Born of Shawanaga, unaware of his own fate.
An Elder spoke of dangers that he was soon to face,
And a gashkibijigan was placed into his hand to keep him safe.

In the summer of ‘14, came his call to war.
But there was something deeper that he was fighting for.
He joined the Northern Pioneers, Regimental 23.
Where the fire came in yellow clouds, Ypres, Festubert, et Givenchy.
With iron nerves and patience, a sniper and a scout.
Counting Coup behind their lines, slipping in, then stealing out.
When they handed him a rifle, he set his sights upon the Hun.
Now the fire came spinning through the air from Peggy’s gun.

He would face the fire with a flame that burned within.
Burning with desire to be seen as more than just the colour of his skin.

With notches on his Coup stick and bars upon his chest,
All through Belgium and through France his fire surpassed the rest.
Onward, then, to Passchendaele, after wounded at The Somme,
Instead of trying to get back home he returned… to his brothers in arms.

He would face the fire with a flame that burned within.
Burning with desire to be seen as more than just the colour of his skin.

An equal when in uniform, but not on his return.
“Just another Indian,” upon his ears did burn.
Still, he fought the fire; his words became the flames,
This hero from the Great War and our nation… never knew his name.

Now we must face the fire. We must bare our shame. We must reconcile.
To honour our nation’s native son… To undo what can never be undone,
By remembering his flame.

Of the Wasauksing First Nation, Pegahmagabow was his name.

© Dave Semple – 5 January 2016

credits

from Calm Before The Storm, released November 29, 2017
Instrumentation and vocals by Dave Semple
Background vocals and percussion by Bill Hill - Ro'nikonkatste

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Dave Semple London, Ontario

Born in Montreal and raised in Noranda, Quebec, Dave is a graduate of the University of Windsor and has lived the last 30 years in London, Ontario as an educator, musician, actor, director, songwriter, and novelist. Playing live with just a guitar is THE BEST, but Dave loves spending time in his studio filling out the sound layers. Story is everything. ... more

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