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This song literally sounds like a standard. Like it has always existed. That’s how you know it’s brilliant

One of the all time ironic bar songs. Nothing gets a bar going then when this tune is played. Fill your boots boys !

One of a kind.

It's crazy that these guys are from Vancouver because this is the most Halifax song to ever exist.

The first time I heard this song was when they opened for Garth Brooks in Ottawa, years ago.

I recognise much of the video footage from Ye Old White Hart in Ufford. I was privileged to be there.

The girl playing the accordion is hot.

The penny whistler is fookin gr-r-reat!!

Saw them live when I was 18. They performed on an outdoor stage surrounded by pine trees and mountains somewhere in BC or Alberta. It’s one of the only concerts I really enjoyed (32 now). Not only were their tickets affordable in the first place, they played real music with spirit and joy and actual lyrics that mean something. My generation mostly forced the electronic ‘music’ down our throats as much as possible and concerts became so expensive I couldn’t justify em. This one? Kids running around playing while Canadians relaxed on lawn blankets and chairs and there was just so much relaxation and joy.

so many canadian wonderful memories

My dad is from Newfoundland. My mom is from British Columbia. From coast to coast this is my Canadian National Anthem.

This song reminds me of the time I went to work all day for a 12 hour shift and I ended up drinking away the last 4 hours. Before a taxi took me home for a much needed rest.

I am Canadian and I call this song. Canadian radar. Doesn't matter where you are in the world. If you play this song, you'll instantly know who's Canadian.

I saw them at Brock University in 1993. They were amazing.

❤

Rest in peace, John.

My uncle is the guitarist. The whole family is insanely musically gifted. Their music got me through my inpatient stay of 4 months in hospital. John is missed dearly.

Miss you John very much. So many great memories of fun times with you and the band.

Love John Mann and this band. We began friends with them over the years. He is greatly missed

Thank you youtube algorithm that brought me here in 2024! Love it!

Classic 👌

I actually had no idea this was Canadian till looking it up. Just moved to Canada last year and heard this a few times on the radio. Thought it was Irish or something from the sound of it lol

You'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my best I've been gone for a month, I've been drunk since I left These so-called vacations will soon be my death I'm so sick from the drink, I need home for a rest We arrived in December and London was cold We stayed in the bars along Charing Cross Road We never saw nothin' but brass taps and oak Kept a shine on the bar with the sleeves of our coats You'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my best I've been gone for a week I've been drunk since I left And these so-called vacations Will soon be my death I'm so sick from the drink I need home for a rest Take me home... Euston Station the train journey North In the buffet car we lurched back and forth Past old crooked dykes through Yorkshire's green fields We were flung into dance as the train jigged and reeled You'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my best I've been gone for a week I've been drunk since I left And these so-called vacations Will soon be my death I'm so sick from the drink I need home for a rest Take me home... By the light of the moon, she'd drift through the streets A rare old perfume, so seductive and sweet She'd tease us and flirt, as the pubs all closed down Then walk us on home and deny us a round You'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my best I've been gone for a month I've been drunk since I left And these so-called vacations Will soon be my death I'm so sick from the drink I need home for a rest Take me home... The gas heater's empty, it's damp as a tomb The spirits we drank now ghosts in the room I'm knackered again, come on sleep take me soon And don't lift up my head 'til the the twelve bells at noon You'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my best I've been gone for a month I've been drunk since I left And these so-called vacations Will soon be my death I'm so sick from the drink I need home for a rest Take me home...

🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

I always thought this song was by the dropkick murphys when growing up hearing it on the radio. Until one day I heard it come on the radio in a vehicle that was new enough to have the digital screen and showed the name of the artist. Thus, my journey began into discovering Canadas most underrated rock band. Too good for his time. RIP ❤❤❤

I marched for freedom in 2005 with a huge Vancouver crowd peacefully demanding for peace! This band was at the art gallery the former court house playing THIS song! And it was electric! A bio electro rush that you knew in your heart, that even tho those mother fuckers we’re going to invade the sovereign country of Iraq anyway! We cared not! Because Us, and the rest of the world that day said we are going to march for peace anyway! Just to make sure that no matter what they thought and what they could pull the wool out over us, was just a rouse a lie! And we were going to say NO anyway. Demanding arm to arm shouting! PEACE…NOW… PEACE…NOW…PEACE…NOW!!!! For several km the streets were shut down for the people who had also agreed with the other people in the world! Even though you would continue to be trite! They knew all a,one we were right! Ignoring the people that do the real governing of the land! Oh & the politics! What a sham we said! What an atrocity! And the very same people that said we were crazy eventually had no choice but to admit the truth! We were right by all good virtue as hundreds of other cities peoples marched that day….for peace! For us, at the end of our march, was the sound of music! And we all sang together in complete and full resonate harmony! Spirit of the west! “Everything with you & me had to be so political”. It was a timeless divine recognition! For all have fallen short so fucking rise! Rise! To the coming of the rising sun! “ With glowing hearts we see thee rise” 🇨🇦 🇨🇦 🇨🇦🔥🌹🕊️♾️🎼🕊️❤️❤️❤️😎🖕🏻

Happy Canada day

You've got that right, one of the most underrated bands of all time! They are all incredible! Especially, John! RIP- gone too soon! Thank you for some of the best shows I ever saw in Buffalo, St. Kits & Toronto! The show at The Bear's Den was amazing in 2014!

My band, back in the late 90's, were playing in Halifax, Nova Scotia...Spirit Of The West were playing at the Birdland Cabaret...they came out to see some of our show (Split Crow) and asked us if we'd like to open for them that night, with the song "Barrett's Privateers"....what a great bunch of folks. Rest easy, John.

With the perforated sunlight dancing in balance with each step on a late summer day is had in hand of magic that was a sound of love to see wonder of the edge of tomorrow's promise is why I love this song

For me its The Tragically Hip, New “Orleans is sinking”. No one I know went crazy over this song and I hit the Irish pubs in Montreal, but the Hip-watch out!

Nostalgia For My Former Home & Native Land Nostalgia For My Former Home & Native Land I'm one... A Canadian dissident writer, philosopher, social-political analyst, podcaster and social entrepreneur - Phoenix Rising Health & Spiritual Retreats: in voluntary exile from the now collapsing Third World fascist police state of the North, now living in Latin America for the past year and a half - and I'm now nostalgic for Canada: so, I'm watching Canada play America's Cup soccer and the NHL playoffs - go Oilers! Go Canada! And loving Canadian music more than ever! Cue the Rush next! J. Todd Ring, San Cristobal de las Casas, Highland mountains of Chiapas, Remote, Southern Mexico. Zapatista/Maya/Indigenous land! Re: Spirit of the West: God, i love this band!!!! Trippin' Up The Stairs: Crank it! And dance! Dance your ass off! czcams.com/video/crIk87-mPzY/video.htmlsi=-wkLfV54il7cVIuy

1:17 1:53 2:38 3:15

I am an American who went to college/uni in Canada in the 90s. This was a quintessential late night theme song! I love it!

Spirit of the West... Rango

What a great song! And really a great bunch of guys. Good performers. Saw them once at the Commodore. That was a pretty good night.

Yeah!

Spirits.......SOTW.....iconic band......folk and roll from BC!Great Big Sea....were influenced by this great band.......they toured together in 2009....before Spirits...finally called it a day......John Mann rip...legend.

Canuck living in South América

Canauck here... and i love this song.. sounds like it came from the islanders. those spud heads..PEI

take me home!!!!... Wait..... I am home lol

Spirit of the West was one of the reasons to be proud of living in the West. RIP John Mann

Legendary song!

So glad I got to experience SPOTW so many fond memories when I listen to them. RIP John!

This video gives me some sort of nostalgia I didn't even know I could have as an 06'er. Guess I was born much later than my spirit was.

May 24 2024 anybody?! 🍻🤟

So lovely ❤

I heard this for the first time on a Caribbean cruise at one of the Karaoke nights and just found the lyrics with no name in my notes... it opened up all the memories of why we partied so hard together that night that I was basically left with lyrics on a bar napkin to find 5 years later. Absolute classic, love our neighbors in the great white north 🤘

I was listening to a Boygenius song today and had to come here. I've always loved this song, and there is an nostalgia itch that only gets scratched by SoTW. Sadly missed x

Was Truly Blessed to see them Live one night on St. Patty's Day....🇨🇦