Henry's Songbook

Johnny Mack lived near Maple Creek, he was long and lean and tough
A level head and a steady hand, and a wizard with the puck
And once across the blue line, oh, he'd never let you down
You could tell by the look in his coal black eyes that boy was glory bound

He could bring the home town to its feet with a goal in overtime
The scouts had pegged him sure enough, it was just a matter of time
If there was any justice in this world he'd be picked in the second round
'Cause he had the goods, there was no denying that boy was glory bound

One afternoon before a game I stopped by Johnny's place
With my father's car and a feeling in my heart that night we'd take first place
But there was something that he'd left behind, he'd fetch it back in town
I never dreamt it at the time that fate would strike him down

Oh, we phoned the Mounties when he didn't show
They found him in a ditch between here and Shaunavon
Roof caved in and it's fifty below
Sirens wail, and the blizzard blows

Johnny died young but I grew old, and it's since that time I've come to think
When I see his name engraved on trophies or his picture in a case in the Kinsmen's rink
He somehow slipped the bonds of time, he's gained himself renown
And I've started on that slow slide back, but he's forever glory bound

[1993:] Of a hockey star who died tragically.
... Now you will not swell the rout
Of lads that wore their honor out
Runners whom renown outran
And the name died before the man
(A.E.Housman, To an Athlete Dying Young) (Notes James Keelaghan, 'My Skies')