Ghost of Simon Fraser

Early Fur Trade Explorer

On May 22, 1808, Simon Fraser began an expedition, which has been described as one of the the greatest in North American history, to explore the river then believed to be the Columbia, to its mouth. Fraser had been chosen to spearhead the North West Company's western trade expansion. He established the first four forts west of the Rockies at McLeod, Stuart and Fraser lakes, and at Fort George. Simon Fraser possessed remarkable courage, determination, leadership and insight into human nature. These qualities would all be put to the text in a treacherous journey through uncharted wilderness in pre-contact First Nations territories. 

Header image: Simon Fraser Monument Today - The Simon Fraser statue was moved to its present location at the New Westminster Quay, on May 29, 1988 where it now greets locals and travellers alike along the Fraser riverfront boardwalk. 

*Photograph by Erik Prosser

Simon Fraser Monument was first unveiled by Premier Richard McBride September 30, 1908 to commemorate the centennial of Fraser’s historic journey, and originally looked out over the Fraser River Bridge (1st). 

In 1911, the bust was added in a ceremony conducted by F.W. Howay. Lieutenant-Governor Thomas Patterson did the unveiling 

This photograph, made from an 1921 postcard, was originally colour tinted.  

*Courtesy of New Westminster Public Library (3194)

July 1st, 2008 - Tiller’s Folly had been invited to celebrate Canada Day in Ottawa representing their home province of British Columbia, which was celebrating it's 150th Anniversary. The year also corresponded with the 200th anniversary of Simon Fraser’s heroic journey down the mighty river which bears his name. 

“It was quite an honor, staring out over a sea of red and white tee-shirts, hats and banners of the ¼ million people in attendance.” - Bruce Coughlan 

Ghost of Simon Fraser

Tiller's Folly

Buy track
On May 22, 1808, Simon Fraser began an expedition, which has been described as one of the the greatest in North American history, to explore the river then believed to be the Columbia, to its mouth. Fraser had been chosen Read more
On May 22, 1808, Simon Fraser began an expedition, which has been described as one of the the greatest in North American history, to explore the river then believed to be the Columbia, to its mouth. Fraser had been chosen to spearhead the North West Company's western trade expansion. He established the first four forts west of the Rockies at McLeod, Stuart and Fraser lakes, and at Fort George. Simon Fraser possessed remarkable courage, determination, leadership and insight into human nature. These qualities would all be put to the text in a treacherous journey through uncharted wilderness in pre-contact First Nations territories.
0:00/???
  1. Ghost of Simon Fraser

THE GHOST OF SIMON FRASER

He started out, into the wild Nechako River
One morning, early, all in the month of May
With Jules Quesnel and dauntless John Stuart
Nineteen Nor’westers, and two guides to lead the way

The work was hard, and the river, unforgiving
A desperate undertaking, to test the will of men
At times they passed, where no human being should venture
O’er precipice and mountain, through a harsh, forbidding land

Oh, Mighty Fraser! Oh, you rolling river
What bold adventurers have traced your rocky shores
And oh, you rambling river, how your restless waters
Echo with the voices of all those who’ve been before

Their journey lay, through the proud and mighty nations
The cradle of the ancients, both bountiful and grand
They’d never seen, an equal to this country
Where people, kind and gentle, extend an open hand

Oh, Mighty Fraser! Oh, you rolling river
Pride of all who’ve made their lives, upon your shore
Oh, you rambling river, how your restless waters
Echo with the voices of all who’ve been before

They swore an oath, each, to him and to their maker
Sooner perish than forsake, they stood as brothers, side by side
They followed him, straight through the gates of Hades
And cast their souls upon the mercy of the tide

I stare alone, across a span of centuries
The Ghost of Simon Fraser, still haunts me in his way
In thirty-six days, he changed the face of history
Unravelling the mystery of who we are today

Oh, Mighty Fraser! Oh, you rolling river
The pride of all who’ve made their lives, upon your shores
Oh, you rambling river, how your restless waters
Echo with the voices of all who’ve been before
Still echo with the voices of all those who’ve been befor

He started out, into the wild Nechako River

 

Words & Music by Bruce Coughlan (SOCAN)

Stirring Up Ghosts is an initiative begun in 1997 by songwriter Bruce Coughlan in an effort to preserve a measure of Pacific Canadian history, heritage and culture in story & song. His band Tiller's Folly have recorded and performed these songs far and wide, sharing our unique stories in the Bardic tradition which is a timeless part of our Celtic Culture.

 

Some images ©