Singer-songwriter Rita MacNeil has died at the age of 68, leaving a legacy of song and television specials that will be fondly remembered for years.
MacNeil's breakthrough came late in life, in 1987, when was awarded her first Juno Award for "most promising female vocalist" at the age of 42. That year, her album Flying On Your Own went platinum, The Canadian Press reports.
These are a few of her biggest hits. Select lyrics below:
Working Man (lyrics):
Chorus
It’s a working man l am
And I’ve been down under ground
And I swear to God if ever see the sun
Or for any length of time
I can hold it in my mind
I never again will go down under ground
At the age of sixteen years
Oh he quarrels with his peers
Who vowed they’d never see another one
In the dark recess of the mines
Where you age before your time
And the coal dust lies heavy on your lungs
Chorus
At the age of sixty-four
Oh he'll greet you at the door
And he'll gently lead you by the arm
Through the dark recess of the mines
Oh he'll take you back in time
And he'll tell you of the hardships that were had
Chorus
(Repeat Chorus)
(Repeat Chorus)
God I never again will go down under ground
Flying On Your Own (lyrics)
You were never more strong girl
You were never more alone
Once there was two, now there's just you
Your flying on your own
You were never more happy girl
You were never oh so blue
Once heartaches begin, nobody wins
Your flying on your own
And when you know the wings you ride
Can keep you in the sky
There isn't anyone holding back you
First you stumble, then you fall
You reach out and you fly
There isn't anything that you can't do
You were never more wise girl
You were never more a fool
Once you break through, its all up to you
Your flying on your own
You were never more together
You were never more apart
Once pieces of you, were all that you knew
Your flying on your own
And when you know the wings you ride
Can keep you in the sky
There isn't anyone holding back you
First you stumble, then you fall
You reach out and you fly
There isn't anything that you can't do
And when you know the wings you ride
Can keep you in the sky
There isn't anyone holding back you
First you stumble, then you fall
You reach out and you fly
There isn't anything that you can't do