Analysis Of The Canadian Boat Song

The Canadian Boat song was a poem published in Scotland by an anonymous author who wasn’t the happiest of all people. The poet claimed that the common people from the Highlands were forced to be exiled. Due to the fact that the poet refers to the Highlands as ‘our father’s land’ is a subtle hint that the poet was a Scottish Highlander that was one of those who were exiled. “Yet still the blood is strong, the heart is Highland, and we in dreams behold the Hebrides”. By stating that the blood is strong and the heart is Highland, it can be inferred that the poet is speaking to fellow Scottish Highlander’s who have already left for British North America, and to those who have yet to leave but will have to eventually. It was a very logical decision
for the poet to publish this song/poem because other Highlanders must have felt the same way, they were just too afraid to say anything. Sticking up for one another and fighting for your beliefs is crucial to your own success, especially if it can help others as well. The poet wasn’t ranting in this poem just for it to be kept in a diary; he wanted his voice to be heard. He wanted to make a difference and inform his fellow Highlanders that they need to hop on his bandwagon in order for something to be done. It is easy to defend that people shouldn’t be forced out of their homes and sent to another country. However, it is hard to depict what the reasoning was behind the exiles due to the fact that this poem was biased. Based on the title itself, it seemed as though it was written while the poet was on his way to North America. Although it may have been too late for him to fight against the exile, he was determined to inform those around who weren’t aware of what was going on. If the poet included background information on the reasoning for the exile, the reader’s would have a better understanding of why such anger was being attributed to this poem/song. Were they exiled because of something horrible they did, or were they told to leave simply because no one wanted them there? “Come foreign rage – let Discord burst in slaughter!” Not only did the poet want to send a message to others that were willing to take his side, but he also wanted them to physically do something about it. Admitting that the disagreement between the Highlanders and those who had them exiled should turn into a battle seemed to be the poet’s solution. The poet and the others who were forced to leave their homes wanted to prove that they would have done anything for their community, “The hearts that would have given their blood like water, beat heavily beyond the Atlantic roar”. The residents of the Highlands would have risked their lives to protect and defend their surroundings and they intended to fight for their right to stay. No one expected them to care as much as they did, which was why they couldn’t have a say in their unexpected departure from the Highlands. This seemed to be the main reason why they wanted to make themselves heard across Scotland. Sticking up for your community and making sure you voice is heard can be very beneficial, especially if you are expecting change. The poet may not have expected to be allowed back into the Highlands, but he was determined to make a difference for future generations and allow them to experience the Highlands without being exiled. A poem’s content can make a large impact, depending on the situation and it is clear that the poet’s intentions were to reach out and get others to help him prevent this from happening to any other family or community.