“Ottawa” is a cinematic folk ballad that journeys through the soul of Canada’s capital — from the ancient waters of the Kichi Sibi and the Algonquin peoples, to the rise of Bytown, the grandeur of Parliament Hill, and the vibrant festivals that light the city today. Blending emotional storytelling, rich Canadian imagery, and soaring melodies, the song captures Ottawa’s unique spirit where history, nature, culture, and national pride meet in every season.
Lyrics:
Before the copper roofs, before the flags unfurled,
Algonquin paddles broke the glass of this northern world.
Kichi Sibi swallowed up the mist where the eagles fly,
The river knew the story long before the town of By.
Then came the rivermen with axes, sweat, and pine,
Carving out the Rideau locks, a heavy limestone spine.
From muddy frontier taverns to the Gothic halls of stone,
A rough-and-tumble lumber camp became a nation's home.
Oh, Ottawa, beating heart of the North,
Where the water meets the timber, and the winter calls us forth.
From the ringing of the Peace Tower to the canal's frozen glow,
You're the quiet soul of Canada, anchored in the snow.
Two voices in the winter wind, tulips in the spring,
Every season leaves a mark, every river stone can sing.
Summer bakes the market brick, the patio strings burn bright,
Buskers tuning fading chords into the humid night.
Shadows stretch across the Hill as the scarlet marches past,
Living in the echoes of a history built to last.
Oh, Ottawa, beating heart of the North,
Where the water meets the timber, and the winter calls us forth.
From the ringing of the Peace Tower to the canal's frozen glow,
You're the quiet soul of Canada, anchored in the snow.
Two voices in the winter wind, tulips in the spring,
Every season leaves a mark, every river stone can sing.
But winter is the crucible, the air like crystal fire,
Blades carve up the frozen miles as the snowdrifts slowly mount higher.
Steam rising from the coffee cups, mittened hands hold tight,
Finding warmth together underneath the northern light.
And when July paints the city red and white across the sky,
The fireworks bloom above the Hill, and watch the years roll by.
Oh, Ottawa, beating heart of the North,
Where the water meets the timber, and the winter calls us forth!
From Gatineau's autumn forests to the roaring festival crowds,
You wear the spirit of a nation, gentle, fierce, and proud.
A capital of river dreams, where the wild meets the free...
To find the pulse of Canada, you start right here with me.
Kichi Sibi waters roll, the ancient winds still blow...
Calling every wandering heart, back home to Ottawa.
