Secret Path, by Gord Downie

Secret Path

by Gord Downie

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Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Vinyl Edition includes 180 gram black vinyl, set of ten lyric posters, and album download.

Includes unlimited streaming of Secret Path via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Illustrations by Jeff Lemire. Includes lyric booklet with words by Gord Downie.

Includes unlimited streaming of Secret Path via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 5 days

Purchasable with gift card

$17 CAD or more
Deluxe Vinyl & Book
Deluxe Edition includes 180 gram black vinyl, 88-page novel by Jeff Lemire, set of ten lyric posters, custom box set packaging, and album download.

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1.	The Stranger 05:32	lyrics	buy track
I am the Stranger You can’t see me I am the Stranger Do you know what I mean I navigate the mud I walk above the path Jumping to the right And then I jump to the left On a Secret Path The one that nobody knows And I’m moving fast On the path nobody knows And what I’m feeling Is anyone’s guess What is in my head And what’s in my chest I’m not gonna stop I’m just catching my breath They’re not gonna stop Please. Just let me catch my breath I am the Stranger You can’t see me I am the Stranger Do you know what I mean? That is not my dad My dad is not a wild man Doesn’t even drink My Daddy’s not a wild man On a Secret Path The one that nobody knows And I’m moving fast On the path nobody knows I am the Stranger I am the Stranger I am the Stranger I am the Stranger
2.	Swing Set 03:19		buy track
3.	Seven Matches 03:30		buy track
4.	I Will Not Be Struck 04:01		buy track
5.	Son 03:17		buy track
6.	Secret Path 04:11		buy track
7.	Don't Let This Touch You 05:04		buy track
8.	Haunt Them, Haunt Them, Haunt Them 05:02		buy track
9.	The Only Place To Be 02:54		buy track
10.	Here, Here, and Here 04:11		buy track

about

Gord Downie began Secret Path as ten poems incited by the story of Chanie Wenjack, a twelve year-old boy who died fifty years ago on October 22, 1966, in flight from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School near Kenora, Ontario, walking home to the family he was taken from over 400 miles away. Gord was introduced to Chanie Wenjack (miscalled “Charlie” by his teachers) by Mike Downie, his brother, who shared with him Ian Adams’ Maclean’s story from February 6, 1967, “The Lonely Death of Charlie Wenjack.”

The stories Gord’s poems tell were fleshed into the ten songs of Secret Path with producers Kevin Drew and Dave Hamelin. Recording took place over two sessions at the Bathouse in Bath, Ontario, November and December 2013. The music features Downie on vocals and guitars, with Drew and Hamelin playing all other instruments, except guest contributions by Charles Spearin (bass), Ohad Benchetrit (lap steel/guitar), Kevin Hearn (piano), and Dave “Billy Ray” Koster (drums).

In winter 2014, Gord and Mike brought the recently finished music to comic artist Jeff Lemire for his help illustrating Chanie’s story, bringing him and the many children like him to life.

Secret Path acknowledges a dark part of Canada’s history – the long-supressed mistreatment of Indigenous children and families by the residential school system – with the hope of starting our country on a road to reconciliation.

Proceeds from the sale of Secret Path will go to The Gord Downie Secret Path Fund for Truth and Reconciliation via The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at The University of Manitoba.

credits

released October 18, 2016

Words by Gord Downie
Graphic Novel & Illustrations by Jeff Lemire
Songs by Gord Downie
with Kevin Drew & Dave Hamelin

Produced and Mixed by Kevin Drew & Dave Hamelin

Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitars by Gord Downie
All other instrumentation by Kevin Drew & Dave Hamelin

Guest Musicians:
Charles Spearin - Bass
Ohad Benchetrit - Lap Steel & Additional Guitar
Kevin Hearn - Additional Keys
Dave "Billy Ray" Koster - Drums

Engineered by Nyles Spencer

Recorded and Mixed at The Bathouse Recording Studios, Bath, ON, Canada
November 3 - November 10, 2013
November 27 - December 2, 2013

Mastered by Eric Boulanger, The Bakery, Culver City, CA, USA

Art Direction by Jonathan Shedletzky
Design & Layout by Isis Essery

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about

Gord Downie Toronto, Ontario

Gordon Downie was a Canadian rock singer-songwriter, musician, writer and activist. He was the lead singer and lyricist for the Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip, which he fronted from their formation in 1984 until his passing in 2017.

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