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Stephan G. Stephansson (1853 to 1927), Bill's great grandfather, was born in Iceland and immigrated to North America in 1873. Eventually he and his family settled at Markerville, Alberta (near Red Deer) where they lived out their lives farming in that community. He was a prolific poet and composed some 1800 pages of poetry, mostly at night after the days work was finished. When his first major volume, 'Andvokur' (Wakeful Nights) was published in 1908, he was acclaimed as the greatest Icelandic poet since the 13th century. Stephansson is an inspiration to those who hold pacifist views.
We've included a few of his poems...

Canada

(no date)

by Stephan G. Stephansson
translated from Icelandic by Kristjana Gunnars (Red Deer College Press)

It was formerly believed, on a sea-battered shore
though the storm at home blasted,
that in the distant west there still lay lands,
where calm and sun never ended,
for there the good season had found it's retreat
and freedom and compassion - all that is best.

They set no sail, but thought high,
by the ocean they dreaming stood,
as the sun slid into the lowest west
in the evening's blue-misted spring dusk,
then hope and desire glide out with the breeze
on the still-blank, sun gilt, wide armed sea.

Though oceans still flood, that separate lands,
the passage across is effortless.
And our Markland, Canada, its genius and care
the world held out to you over the sea.
To the Greeks you could only appear in a poem -
but to Icelandic sea kings you gave yourself first.

Still human hope turns its tired eyes
from the east, to dream about you -
you proved good to all, who loved you fervently,
who possess here rapture and home.
And all with you is fullfilled and able to root
which the unquiet spirit has dreamed best

In Wartime

(1916)

by Stephan G. Stephansson - translated from Icelandic by Watson Kirkconnell

In Europe's reeking slaughter pen
They mince the flesh of murdered men
While swinish merchants, snout in trough
Drink all the bloody profits off!

Give it to Me

by Bill Bourne

from the recording 'Farmer, Philanthropist & Musician' - Blue Streak Records

Hey little children children God is on our side
Do not fear, do not worry, the truth will soon reside with you
Oh dear children children rest your heart of joy
Heaven's gates are built upon the love of little girls and boys

chorus

Hey give it to me - easy love
Yea give it to me - easy love
Care and trouble long forgotten we leave 'em far behind
Hey give it to me - easy love
Come on give it to me - easy love
Oh brother love, sister love will satisfy our mind - hey give it to me!

Oh dear sister sister we must find a way
I just wanna see a ray of hope before my dyin' day
Hey now sister sister dry your shinin' eyes
Smile upon the day dear heart don't wear no sad disguise

Oh dear brother brother don't you understand
I don't wanna leave my children in a used up dyin' land
Hey now brother brother weepin' tears of woe
Faster now the sands run out don't let your spirit bow

When I Was an Editor

(no date)

by Stephan G. Stephansson - translated from Icelandic by Paul Bjarnason

So maudlin, with pity and pathos I stood
If someone who erred got the lashes;
If hanged, I'd weep over the ashes.
With vocal dispraise such injustice I viewed

But somehow as soon as the war-craze ensued,
When slaughter en masse was the popular mood
And corpses all over the planet were strewed,
With dumb indecision I stood.

For there was the problem of friendships and food
- One's sympathies nobody cashes.
To dampen my conscience-clashes
The cracks in my honor I artfully glued
With unctuous lies that I hastily brewed
- And cheered just as loud as I could.

Follow The River

by Bill Bourne

Follow the river - where are we goin'?
Goin' down river to the homeland
Follow the river - where are we goin'?
Yea we're goin' down river to the homeland

There's a boy and a dog running in the wind-shine
All the way to the seaside is a light gone wild and free
Run away run away to the colours on the inside
To the sunshine love we're knowin' is heaven made

There's a dancing dog and a renegade gypsy king
In the wilds of a world gone crazy to the rhythm of the pouring rain
Like the golden leaves falling in the fall time
All rebels run away from the vision of a dyin' day

All around are the sounds - a choir in the wild wood
Ah the heartbeat pulse easy rhythm of a child of love and life
In the warm red blood dancing in the morning sun
On the road in the journey down river to the homeland

Follow the river - where are we goin'?
Goin' down river to the homeland
Follow the river - where are we goin'?
Yea we're goin' down river to the homeland

- for Pat & Hobbies

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