The Ballad Of Terry Fox

The wind was cold and thin Out on the highway's edge A solitary figure With a solemn pledge One leg of bone, one leg of steel A skip and a heavy heel Brought up in BC and Manitoba He didn't fail to make us feel Yeah, the road was long where he once ran He did the best any human can Get across the country, that's the plan That's the spirit of our man He didn't run for medals He didn't run for gold But for the people and their stories That never will be told Across the asphalt and the gravel Through the heat and rain He carried the nation's weight for twenty-six miles Then he'd go again Yeah, the road was long where he once ran He did the best any human can Get across the country, that's the plan That's the spirit of our man Well, the road was lined with people Who came out to see him run But the lungs grew tired and he got weary Before he was done On a lonely stretch Near Thunder Bay His stride was halted The body gave way Yeah, the road was long where he once ran He did the best any human can Get across the country, that's the plan That's the spirit of our man The finish line was in his mind Not a city on a map There was no closing ceremony Just a roadside clap He might have had to stop the run But the fight still carries on For every heart that followed him The race was bravely won Well, the road was long where he once ran He did the best any human can Get across the country, that's the plan That's the spirit of our man If there ever was a hero If there ever was a saint He ran through fire and through pain Any lesser soul would faint He said it's a mission greater than himself And his words are still ringing true He ran for everybody And he ran for me and you