totally...i was just watching that video this morning on Stingray Retro and thinking it was weird they were called spirit of the WEST but sounded so east coast.
I’m in Scotland - recently, I went to the wedding of a Scotswoman to a Canadian guy. This song came on and the Canadian crowd went absolutely bananas!! It was so fun to watch lol. Cool song!
And you should see the Canadians here when it comes on. Depending on how late in the evening it’s played, we are sometimes forced to seek shelter from flying beer.
I was at a wedding in Scotland last year. They didn’t play the song at the wedding, but we played it after an after party and same thing they went nuts!
@@filmsensei I wondered that as well so contact them through their official web page: Hugh McMillan replied it's a traditional Irish keyless wooden flute. :)
My uncle is the guitarist. The whole family is insanely musically gifted. Their music got me through my inpatient stay of 4 months in hospital. John is missed dearly.
As an American… 25 fyears ago I found myself at a very “techno” kinda club in Toronto. Lights came on. This song came on. One of the best memories of my life. The whole techno club went arm in arm and danced to this. Lights coming on… full volume… people starting to go home… but the “last to leave” group all sang this out. We (ex g/f and I) had never heard it… but the crowd pulled us in, arms around shoulders fed us the lyrics. It was amazing. And it’s now. 25 years later… my end of the night song
Thank you so much for sharing that. It’s the type of song that only ever brings back great memories. The band is from Vancouver but the song swoops in with wonderful elements from our eastern provinces. A true coast-to-coast Canadian hug from a homegrown band. Glad you were able to share in the love. Cheers from 🇨🇦
Every college bar across Canada in the 90s was rocking this tune. There is a bar in Saskatoon that is a very old fire station and the dance floor is on the second floor. When this song played I swore the old floor joists would snap...the whole floor would bounce.
I am Canadian and I call this song. Canadian radar. Doesn't matter where you are in the world. If you play this song, you'll instantly know who's Canadian.
This was the song my wife and I chose for our “first dance” at our wedding. We had everyone join us to share the moment. That was a great party! Thanks, John, for playing such a role in our special day. Rest In Peace, sir. 💔🎵🇨🇦🍺🍷
Multani Lover of Beer How could you not play this at some point, right?! I have never been at any bar, wedding, party, whatever and not seen the dance floor fill when the first notes of this song begin. This is easily one of the most recognizable and loved of all Canadian songs.
The crowd of people who don't dance can get into it too by clapping along. It's a genius move to make it your first dance song or the first song after the formal dances are done, sets the tone for the rest of the night.
I'm 15 and I had him over for house concerts.. I have a signed guitar from him in a couple CDs and a songs list from one of his tours... there's a picture somewhere of him seeing me a bedtime song, I believe it was "a new normal"
That flute solo is legendary and brings out the wild side of me making me dance even if I'm dead tired after a hard's day work. It never fails. Along with the other instruments it blends in so harmoniously, so perfectly. Awesome Canadian Band. God bless you all.
@@tamaraj4200 Of course we do. It doesn't mean they can't play this type of music.....does it? They're influenced by irish celtic music. Geoffrey Kelly is of Irish decent.
I took my then young teenage boys to see them at the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival. Spirit of the West were the headliners for the closing concert. The started the musical intro and all 2000 of us went nuts. Then John started with "You'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my best" then pointed the mic at us and we continued to sing the intro, on key, the whole crowd. It was a magical moment from a great concert. I'm so glad I got to see them live. RIP John, you are missed.
I was at a music festival up on Haida Gwaii 20 plus years ago. Spirit of the West was the headliner. Outside concert at night. The concert started and John walked up to the mic and said "We flew 500 miles to be here tonight, you guys can come up a bit closer to the stage." The whole crowd surged forward. What a great concert it was. The local hippies were set up beside the stage keeping time on the drums, at one time there was a bit of a duel going on between the band and the hippies People were dancing everywhere. The grass in front of the stage turned into a mud pit but the people just kept going. It was a hell of a night. Thank you SOTW and thank you especially to John. Rest in peace. Your home now.
It is true, I am in my 50s and 'stuck' in UK for some 20 years, I have worked and lived in about 10 countries and travelled to about 75 and Canada has is the closest to achieving what no other country has - a true respect for all people, and that is freedom xx
Well it's St. Patrick's Day here in Canada and this will be the most played song in every pub. I keep having to tell people that "no, it's not the Pogues" and "they are not Irish, they are from Vancouver". It's a drinking anthem that everyone knows though.
@Brian Kulchycki it embodies the Irish spirit so much it's hard to believe they're not actually from IRELAND! and yes what a rocking anthem ! HOPE ST Patty's was a wondrous occasion for you GOD luv ye 'all!!
I actually had no idea this was Canadian till looking it up. Just moved to Canada last year and heard this a few times on the radio. Thought it was Irish or something from the sound of it lol
This song used to get me pumped when I was in my bar hopping days in the late 90's. It wasn't a night downtown on George Street, in St. Johns, NL until they played this song at Benders. So many memories
they were playing at a club I was working at, i went into the dressing room, asked " where are you guys headed next??" they said...home...get some time off...I said" I guess you need....home for...a rest" I got a collective sigh...left b4 someone threw something at me....RIP sir...words...ceremonies...awards...are not enough to honour you, you are part of the fabric of our country now...you will live on forever in your music......thank you
An enormous loss to all of us. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. When I was in school in Halifax this song was what always made our evenings. John Mann you are already missed.
This is such a great song from a great Vancouver Band. I play in a band called the Hard Rock Miners, also from vancouver and tonight we will be adding this to our singalong repertoire to be performed at the Princeton Pub in East Vancouver tonight. Come on down, raise your voice and a pint with us, in memory of one of the greats!
OMG I'm so sad to hear about John's death. Every time I hear this wonderful song it puts me in a great joyful mood to the point that I lose control of my legs and my feet go stomping wild as if they had a mind of their own with the radio cranked at the max. Many a times I thought I punctured the floor of my service truck while going to work with all that pounding and stomping. Just makes my day in every way! I'm Canadian born and of Italian descent but I think I may have Irish genes coursing through my body as I love many things that are from the Irish culture, women, clothing, music, spirits etc. May God Bless Ireland. I just can't get enough of this song. My sincere heartfelt condolences and prayers goes to his wife and family. Blessings upon his spirit, family, band mates and friends. R.I.P. John as you are surely entertaining heaven with a packed audience.
I'm from Ohio and I love this song. Never knew it was a Canadian anthem. Very well. Hopefully I get to drink and listen to this music in Canada with new friends before I expire.
R.I.P JOHN MANN... YOU WERE A HERO TO US ALL BATTLING MEMORY ISSUES. THANKS FOR THE MUSIC AND MEMORIES.. YOU WILL BE DEARLY MISSED... GOD SPEED MY OLD FRIEND..
I was in my car, coming home from work and I haven't had my radio on. So I turned it on and tuned it to my favorite radio station . they done a couple of announcements and then this song played. It made my night.
I heard this for the first time on a Caribbean cruise at one of the Karaoke nights and just found the lyrics with no name in my notes... it opened up all the memories of why we partied so hard together that night that I was basically left with lyrics on a bar napkin to find 5 years later. Absolute classic, love our neighbors in the great white north 🤘
What a killer song every time I hear this reminds me of back home God I miss home sometimes. Good old east. Can’t beat these tunes in the kitchen at 3am. Just going ham ha ha ha ha 😂
RIP John, I had a chance to chat with you on a number of occasions and always found you as thoughtful and entertaining as your music. As you and your sounds drift on up into the ether, I wish you the best.
My favourite song from SOTW. The news about John absolutely sucks and feels like a punch in the gut. Gonna see you guys on this tour. Stay strong! Canada loves you guys.
Early 2000s Vancouver, BC went to a club with a few friends. All in our late 20s or early 30s. Requested this song from the DJ (he seemed excited to play it), when it started dance floor emptied except for my table who all streamed onto the floor. Had it to ourselves for about a minute. Couldn’t believe all the early 20s patrons didn’t know the song.
I always thought this song was by the dropkick murphys when growing up hearing it on the radio. Until one day I heard it come on the radio in a vehicle that was new enough to have the digital screen and showed the name of the artist. Thus, my journey began into discovering Canadas most underrated rock band. Too good for his time. RIP ❤❤❤
"You'll have to excuse me I'm not at my best" Absolutely gutted to hear #RipJohnMann has passed away. What a voice and what another absolutely tragic and heartbreaking story of an amazing musician cut down due to a brutal illness too soon. Please do yourself a favour and watch it Spirit Unforgettable if you haven't
As a Canadian born and raised, i hereby dub thee an honorary Canadian. You can pick up your goodie bag of timbits, a widdled wooden beaver key chain ornament, a toque and one best of The Tragically Hip CD when you visit. I'll tell wild Bill the border guy your comin'.
Sooo fun to remember spirit of the west live at ontario place ..sittong in general admition on the grass,and watching them on the spinning stage...great venue way back in the 'old days'...great remembering!
I saw these guys in '95 at UNB/STU in Fredericton. Every song was up tempo from the album cut, and I am pretty sure they had to refinish the hardwood floor afterward.
Candian buddy of mine when i was in the army got us on this tune, blasted every friday getting off work going to the barracks cause yeah the drinking started immediately once we were let go for the weekend
I was out last night for St. Patricks Day. We went into Toronto and we ended up at The Irish Embassy....A GREAT IRISH BAR. What a great time we had..my son and his 2 friends. The band that was there played this great tune......not quite as good as these lads do it....but it got the whole bar bouncing and dancing..What a laugh.
I’m a later fan here! A close friend of mine introduced this album to me in 2013/14 and we listened to it daily at 21/22 years old. At 28 I now listen to these songs with nostalgia. Proud to be Canadian and proud to be born when these songs were written!
Just saw them in Nanaimo April 12. So good to be there. They will be missed. Wishing them all the best. You are not alone John. You are a legend, as is this wonderful band, having produced such beautiful music for 32 years.
A timeless classic, to be sure. Thank you, all of you for the great music. Peace be with you, John. This past Saturday, myself and several other musicians re-enacted The Crawl, playing at each North Shore pub as we went. We raised almost $400 for the Alzheimer's Society, donated in John's name. We'll be back doing it on John's next birthday and plan on making it an annual event. The Spirit lives on.
That's amazing and awesome. I don't think I'll be on the west coast this year so maybe set up a way we can donate in John's name from elsewhere in Canada?
@@TaiViinikka Thank you! Let me talk to our ringleader and see if something can be set up, if he hasn't already done so. Otherwise, individual donations in Jon's name would be gratefully accepted, I'm sure.
Jan.20/‘22 In a nail-biting vote, British Columbians on Twitter voted 'Home for a Rest' by folk rock group Spirit of the West as the province's favourite song by a B.C. artist
Was up in Lytton, B.C>, doing night photography, heard the news and we played as much Spirit of The West all the way back to Vancouver.. Especially "The Crawl", which was an anthem for all of us born & raised on The North Shore and have attempted or accomplished their own Crawl at some point.. From Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove and all in between.. R.I.P. Hillside Highwayman..
For a BC band, they sure kicked it east coast kitchen party style. Respect. Rest easy brother.
Exactly!
totally...i was just watching that video this morning on Stingray Retro and thinking it was weird they were called spirit of the WEST but sounded so east coast.
he he kitchen parties is a celtic heritage thing.... but in the UK it is done in a pub...
@@paulpritchard1551 Have you never heard this song by Jona Lewis You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties
@@alim.7900 no but i will look it up
A surefire way to find out if there are any Canadians around. Play this and see who goes crazy at the first few notes!!
waivedwench It's very true!
YUP!
+waivedwench Or see who partners up for a slow dance only to be like "wtf is happening?" almost immediately.
+RandomBattleXP :D
+waivedwench hey man we can't help ourselves we love this song, especially if we've been drinking
RIP sir. You are now home for a rest. You will be missed.
:(
VERY MUCH SO Aime. I loved this band and I loved John. He was a brilliant frontman. May he rest in peace and my condolences to his wife and family.
#FuckAlzheimersRightUpTheArse
It's a sad day here in Vancouver! He sure will be missed
Been to a few of their concerts and met him back in the day, very nice guy... RIP :(
I’m in Scotland - recently, I went to the wedding of a Scotswoman to a Canadian guy. This song came on and the Canadian crowd went absolutely bananas!! It was so fun to watch lol. Cool song!
I am of Scots descent and my girlfriend would always request this song just to watch me dance to it.
And you should see the Canadians here when it comes on. Depending on how late in the evening it’s played, we are sometimes forced to seek shelter from flying beer.
@Cryptameria• it truly was something special! Happy new year!! 🏴🇨🇦❤️
Bet that was a hellava wedding!
I was at a wedding in Scotland last year. They didn’t play the song at the wedding, but we played it after an after party and same thing they went nuts!
The best Irish song, by a Canadian band, about a trip to England
@@choobooloo1 blows my mind.
@@Rob-kf3gx I just heard this on the radio this morning . Had never heard it before and had to check it out. So different and quite good!
Throw some Americans in there and you have a party! 😂
@ericsouthard3767 a shitty party with light beer and loaded guns
There's none more scots than the scots abroad, but there's none more irish than the ones in Vancouver. lol.
That flute solo is legendary
P0PP0PPER yes!!!!!!
I wonder what type of flute that is! It’s gorgeous. It looks like it’s made of wood.
He makes the flute look cool :)
@@filmsensei I wondered that as well so contact them through their official web page: Hugh McMillan replied it's a traditional Irish keyless wooden flute. :)
Tin whistle
Rest In Peace, John. Canada lost a great poet today.
World lost great poet. :(
Hello there,how are you ,how is the weather treating you over there?
@@davidmoore2325 what are you talking about
My uncle is the guitarist. The whole family is insanely musically gifted. Their music got me through my inpatient stay of 4 months in hospital. John is missed dearly.
i bet you heard some good stories
Oh, wow. And yes, he is.
As an American… 25 fyears ago I found myself at a very “techno” kinda club in Toronto.
Lights came on.
This song came on.
One of the best memories of my life.
The whole techno club went arm in arm and danced to this.
Lights coming on… full volume… people starting to go home… but the “last to leave” group all sang this out. We (ex g/f and I) had never heard it… but the crowd pulled us in, arms around shoulders fed us the lyrics. It was amazing. And it’s now. 25 years later… my end of the night song
Thank you so much for sharing that. It’s the type of song that only ever brings back great memories. The band is from Vancouver but the song swoops in with wonderful elements from our eastern provinces. A true coast-to-coast Canadian hug from a homegrown band. Glad you were able to share in the love. Cheers from 🇨🇦
It's still played to this day in similar venues as a way to say 'The night is over, you're wasted! Go home!'.
This was voted to be BC's best song, in an unofficial CBC poll today. Well deserved!
Reading this comment feed reminds me the internet CAN be a wonderful place sometimes. 🇨🇦
Every college bar across Canada in the 90s was rocking this tune. There is a bar in Saskatoon that is a very old fire station and the dance floor is on the second floor. When this song played I swore the old floor joists would snap...the whole floor would bounce.
hose and hydrant.
I worked there. as a dj. I got in shit for playing certain songs because the bartenders feared the dance floor would collapse on top of them.
i fell all the way down those stairs one night
College 91-93; University 93-96 ;)
Paul Thompson sadly it's not like that anymore... I have to show all the boys this song for them to enjoy it!
I am Canadian and I call this song. Canadian radar. Doesn't matter where you are in the world. If you play this song, you'll instantly know who's Canadian.
so true!!!! - thanks for saying that
This should be the Canadian national anthem, good god.
can you imagine how wild every gold medal ceremony would be if this was?
My dad is from Newfoundland.
My mom is from British Columbia.
From coast to coast this is my Canadian National Anthem.
This is why I love Canada so much. I’m in the US 20 minutes from the border. I love Canada!!
Canada’s unofficial national anthem. Happy Canada 🇨🇦 Day
Fuck ya! This be makin me wanna migrate permanently from the US to Canada!
This was the song my wife and I chose for our “first dance” at our wedding. We had everyone join us to share the moment. That was a great party! Thanks, John, for playing such a role in our special day. Rest In Peace, sir. 💔🎵🇨🇦🍺🍷
While this wasn't our 'first dance' we did play it twice out our wedding.
Someone ended up with a broken tooth .
Multani Lover of Beer How could you not play this at some point, right?! I have never been at any bar, wedding, party, whatever and not seen the dance floor fill when the first notes of this song begin. This is easily one of the most recognizable and loved of all Canadian songs.
@@multaniloverofbeer sounds about right. Good times
@@multaniloverofbeer couldn't be more perfect
The crowd of people who don't dance can get into it too by clapping along. It's a genius move to make it your first dance song or the first song after the formal dances are done, sets the tone for the rest of the night.
From sea to sea to sea. I fucking love Canada!!!
+silent555 You obviously don't get the reference to the official motto of the country called Canada
+Conor Power Pretty sure he did, it's just from ocean to ocean to ocean.
+Cameron King It's neither. It's "A Mari Usque Ad Mare" which translated is just From Sea to Sea
robophobic
We all do
Canadians, please rise for the national anthem
16 year old canadian, still love this song.
I'm 15 and I had him over for house concerts.. I have a signed guitar from him in a couple CDs and a songs list from one of his tours... there's a picture somewhere of him seeing me a bedtime song, I believe it was "a new normal"
Keep the tradition alive and raise a glass boys
im 14 love it
I am an American who went to college/uni in Canada in the 90s. This was a quintessential late night theme song! I love it!
No song better from Canada!
Rip John :(
When this is played at a wedding...DO NOT go near the dance floor, you WILL get injured! (in Canada)
Ah, but it is a risk all Canadians would take any day
@@johnaxios6335 And "Mary Mack" by Great Big Sea !!!
@@johnaxios6335 especially considering we have free health care...😂
I'm quite familiar with slam and dancing Ska... I think I'll feel like Im home
There's a very good reason we have an official national "Throw Hands Act"
That flute solo is legendary and brings out the wild side of me making me dance even if I'm dead tired after a hard's day work. It never fails. Along with the other instruments it blends in so harmoniously, so perfectly. Awesome Canadian Band. God bless you all.
On Threads I saw this song described as “the best Irish-sounding song by a Canadian band about a trip to England ever.”
Better yet the fact it's a BC band... Canada has diverse immigrant culture but this is a heritage moment.
RIP dear John, enjoy your rest now that you are home.
XX
This is what makes me a proud Canadian
It was our wedding song (Collingwood Ontario Canada 1999) and a prophetic tune to our three week honeymoon in Ireland.
Collingwood how are the fried banana peanuts sandwiches
Good man, hope you had a blast on My Island, even though I'm ruling Ontario these days ;-)
You realize they aren't irish though.
@@tamaraj4200 Of course we do. It doesn't mean they can't play this type of music.....does it? They're influenced by irish celtic music. Geoffrey Kelly is of Irish decent.
@@tamaraj4200 Drinkin' song's a drinkin' song, doesn't matter what side of the pond you're on
RIP John Mann!!! You've inspired so many to live life to its fullest! Taken far too early! :(
This song will keep Canada together 🇨🇦
For a song with so many UK references, it’s odd that it’s so popular in Canada. Not that I’m complaining!
Canadians on vacation partly harder than they work at home.....and need to go back to work to rest....
Translation for non-Canadians: "You'll have to excuse me I'm not at my best" = "I'm totally wrecked offa me gourd eh" = "Bruh, I'm drunk asf yo"
Very helpful!
Many songs were sung in Halifax during my year at King’s College. 2007-08 live forever
I took my then young teenage boys to see them at the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival. Spirit of the West were the headliners for the closing concert. The started the musical intro and all 2000 of us went nuts. Then John started with "You'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my best" then pointed the mic at us and we continued to sing the intro, on key, the whole crowd. It was a magical moment from a great concert. I'm so glad I got to see them live. RIP John, you are missed.
I was at a music festival up on Haida Gwaii 20 plus years ago.
Spirit of the West was the headliner.
Outside concert at night.
The concert started and John walked up to the mic and said "We flew 500 miles to be here tonight, you guys can come up a bit closer to the stage."
The whole crowd surged forward.
What a great concert it was.
The local hippies were set up beside the stage keeping time on the drums, at one time there was a bit of a duel going on between the band and the hippies
People were dancing everywhere.
The grass in front of the stage turned into a mud pit but the people just kept going.
It was a hell of a night.
Thank you SOTW and thank you especially to John.
Rest in peace. Your home now.
John Mann has gone home for a rest. RIP Good Sir
As I child I heard this, and yes, being Canadian is a blessing.
same heard this alot as kid and I still listen to it
It is true, I am in my 50s and 'stuck' in UK for some 20 years, I have worked and lived in about 10 countries and travelled to about 75 and Canada has is the closest to achieving what no other country has - a true respect for all people, and that is freedom xx
It's crazy that these guys are from Vancouver because this is the most Halifax song to ever exist.
Well it's St. Patrick's Day here in Canada and this will be the most played song in every pub. I keep having to tell people that "no, it's not the Pogues" and "they are not Irish, they are from Vancouver". It's a drinking anthem that everyone knows though.
I thought this was Great Big Sea. Surprise.
@Brian Kulchycki it embodies the Irish spirit so much it's hard to believe they're not actually from IRELAND! and yes what a rocking anthem ! HOPE ST Patty's was a wondrous occasion for you GOD luv ye 'all!!
@@timothyjordan5731 Spirit is basically western Canada's Great Big Sea
Oh, the god! The Pogues are fantastic
The pipe flute solos are so fire one can be forgiven for thinking these guys are as Irish as Leprechauns
I'm playing this, and I'm stomping my feet in my living room, and then I am raising a glass. Do not go gentle into that good night. RIP John.
I miss him so much- I had house concerts with him
I actually had no idea this was Canadian till looking it up. Just moved to Canada last year and heard this a few times on the radio. Thought it was Irish or something from the sound of it lol
THIS IS LITERALLY A TOP 10 or 20 🇨🇦 CANADIAN SONGS OF ALL TIME !!! East Coast to West Coast,
SOTW is 🇨🇦!!!
Lived in Canada 1989 to 1996 and while l was there appreciated music l would never have heard in the UK, sure miss the place. Brilliant 🇨🇦❤️❤️
This song used to get me pumped when I was in my bar hopping days in the late 90's. It wasn't a night downtown on George Street, in St. Johns, NL until they played this song at Benders. So many memories
George Street. Wow! Love that place. Party Central!
HAHAHAHA!..Yes by, Benders memories...
wildest bar scene ive ever seen. The rest of Canada doesnt even know...
@@CooCooCheee
uu
Yes been there, the place hoppes.
they were playing at a club I was working at, i went into the dressing room, asked " where are you guys headed next??" they said...home...get some time off...I said" I guess you need....home for...a rest" I got a collective sigh...left b4 someone threw something at me....RIP sir...words...ceremonies...awards...are not enough to honour you, you are part of the fabric of our country now...you will live on forever in your music......thank you
Hello there?How are you doing dear?
this song got me through 2020, and now hopefully 2021. Rest in peace, and thanks for getting us through it
So how did it go did it get you tho the year?
@@niclas8777 he's dead. sorry to let you know this way. rip
@supersecretbarclayfan7941 Dare I ask from 2024?.. 😬🙄
@@buzzknutsonwait.. are you talking about John or the gentleman who made the original comment?
This video gives me some sort of nostalgia I didn't even know I could have as an 06'er. Guess I was born much later than my spirit was.
Petition to make this our (Canada’s) new national anthem
RIP Mr. Mann.
Hope you're enjoying a cold beer wherever you are!
An enormous loss to all of us. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. When I was in school in Halifax this song was what always made our evenings. John Mann you are already missed.
Rip John mann you truly are at home for a rest
Petition to make this the second Canadian national anthem
Miss you John very much. So many great memories of fun times with you and the band.
This is such a great song from a great Vancouver Band. I play in a band called the Hard Rock Miners, also from vancouver and tonight we will be adding this to our singalong repertoire to be performed at the Princeton Pub in East Vancouver tonight. Come on down, raise your voice and a pint with us, in memory of one of the greats!
OMG I'm so sad to hear about John's death. Every time I hear this wonderful song it puts me in a great joyful mood to the point that I lose control of my legs and my feet go stomping wild as if they had a mind of their own with the radio cranked at the max. Many a times I thought I punctured the floor of my service truck while going to work with all that pounding and stomping. Just makes my day in every way! I'm Canadian born and of Italian descent but I think I may have Irish genes coursing through my body as I love many things that are from the Irish culture, women, clothing, music, spirits etc. May God Bless Ireland. I just can't get enough of this song. My sincere heartfelt condolences and prayers goes to his wife and family. Blessings upon his spirit, family, band mates and friends. R.I.P. John as you are surely entertaining heaven with a packed audience.
I'm from Ohio and I love this song. Never knew it was a Canadian anthem. Very well. Hopefully I get to drink and listen to this music in Canada with new friends before I expire.
RIP John. You are a Canadian Icon.
RIP John Mann.......your music will live on forever.
R.I.P JOHN MANN... YOU WERE A HERO TO US ALL BATTLING MEMORY ISSUES. THANKS FOR THE MUSIC AND MEMORIES.. YOU WILL BE DEARLY MISSED... GOD SPEED MY OLD FRIEND..
I was in my car, coming home from work and I haven't had my radio on. So I turned it on and tuned it to my favorite radio station . they done a couple of announcements and then this song played. It made my night.
96.1
Got to love this song, real instruments, no machines. RIP John.
I heard this for the first time on a Caribbean cruise at one of the Karaoke nights and just found the lyrics with no name in my notes... it opened up all the memories of why we partied so hard together that night that I was basically left with lyrics on a bar napkin to find 5 years later. Absolute classic, love our neighbors in the great white north 🤘
CANADIAN HERE.
What a killer song every time I hear this reminds me of back home God I miss home sometimes. Good old east.
Can’t beat these tunes in the kitchen at 3am. Just going ham ha ha ha ha 😂
RIP John, I had a chance to chat with you on a number of occasions and always found you as thoughtful and entertaining as your music.
As you and your sounds drift on up into the ether, I wish you the best.
My favourite song from SOTW. The news about John absolutely sucks and feels like a punch in the gut. Gonna see you guys on this tour. Stay strong! Canada loves you guys.
John is Home For a Rest. RIP
Early 2000s Vancouver, BC went to a club with a few friends. All in our late 20s or early 30s. Requested this song from the DJ (he seemed excited to play it), when it started dance floor emptied except for my table who all streamed onto the floor. Had it to ourselves for about a minute. Couldn’t believe all the early 20s patrons didn’t know the song.
RIP Mr. Mann. Home for a rest.
I always thought this song was by the dropkick murphys when growing up hearing it on the radio. Until one day I heard it come on the radio in a vehicle that was new enough to have the digital screen and showed the name of the artist. Thus, my journey began into discovering Canadas most underrated rock band. Too good for his time. RIP ❤❤❤
You where an inspiration to most Canadians this song might as well be our national anthem RIP way you finally find rest
"You'll have to excuse me I'm not at my best" Absolutely gutted to hear #RipJohnMann has passed away. What a voice and what another absolutely tragic and heartbreaking story of an amazing musician cut down due to a brutal illness too soon. Please do yourself a favour and watch it Spirit Unforgettable if you haven't
Rip John. Was very blessed to see this live. Thanks for the music you brought us. Canada lost another legend today 😢❤️
Just in case any of you were wondering if this song was as good when they performed it live, it wasn't. It was even BETTER!!
I will play this at tomorrow’s show for u sir - tks for being a soundtrack for great times
I just discovered this song....and I love it. I guess I pass the canadian test🇨🇦
Visit anytime brother 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
As a Canadian born and raised, i hereby dub thee an honorary Canadian. You can pick up your goodie bag of timbits, a widdled wooden beaver key chain ornament, a toque and one best of The Tragically Hip CD when you visit. I'll tell wild Bill the border guy your comin'.
This song is so infectious. One of my favorites of all time. It always makes me smile.
met John at Thunderbird arena UBC taking his kid to hockey...what a cool dude. Canadian legend.
RIP John Mann, thank-you for the good times and the great memories.
Sooo fun to remember spirit of the west live at ontario place ..sittong in general admition on the grass,and watching them on the spinning stage...great venue way back in the 'old days'...great remembering!
I saw these guys in '95 at UNB/STU in Fredericton. Every song was up tempo from the album cut, and I am pretty sure they had to refinish the hardwood floor afterward.
Classic
From moncton. Wish I was alive then to see that
Candian buddy of mine when i was in the army got us on this tune, blasted every friday getting off work going to the barracks cause yeah the drinking started immediately once we were let go for the weekend
Been sober 20 odd years and this songs a hoot 😇😊😊😉
This song is unlike anything else in music. Nothing touches this. This is peak punk folk unlike anything else
Alternative Canadian anthem
+Chris P yes
+Chris P :: Start a Petition, I'll be first to sign!
Shades of Grey no me
Chris P fuck yeah man
Absobloodylutely :)
Godspeed John.......Thanks for everything
I was out last night for St. Patricks Day. We went into Toronto and we ended up at The Irish Embassy....A GREAT IRISH BAR. What a great time we had..my son and his 2 friends. The band that was there played this great tune......not quite as good as these lads do it....but it got the whole bar bouncing and dancing..What a laugh.
There's an Irish Embassy pub in Montreal too. Crazy fun!!
I recognise much of the video footage from Ye Old White Hart in Ufford. I was privileged to be there.
RIP , they are an authentic band. Real music, real writing, real playing. Most of all real Canadian hearts.
RIP John. You are now home for a rest.
I’m a later fan here! A close friend of mine introduced this album to me in 2013/14 and we listened to it daily at 21/22 years old. At 28 I now listen to these songs with nostalgia. Proud to be Canadian and proud to be born when these songs were written!
You hear those 1st cords and you smile.
Hello there,how are you ,how is the weather treating you over there?
Oh God, I forgot I had this in my favorite. Miss listening to this. 🇨🇦
Just saw them in Nanaimo April 12. So good to be there. They will be missed. Wishing them all the best. You are not alone John. You are a legend, as is this wonderful band, having produced such beautiful music for 32 years.
32 years, I remember sitting around a kitchen table in Vancouver with great friends, early days, fantastic music and good people. SoTW !
A timeless classic, to be sure. Thank you, all of you for the great music. Peace be with you, John.
This past Saturday, myself and several other musicians re-enacted The Crawl, playing at each North Shore pub as we went. We raised almost $400 for the Alzheimer's Society, donated in John's name. We'll be back doing it on John's next birthday and plan on making it an annual event. The Spirit lives on.
That's amazing and awesome. I don't think I'll be on the west coast this year so maybe set up a way we can donate in John's name from elsewhere in Canada?
@@TaiViinikka Thank you! Let me talk to our ringleader and see if something can be set up, if he hasn't already done so. Otherwise, individual donations in Jon's name would be gratefully accepted, I'm sure.
Soon to be voted the best BC song, as we all know
One of the all time ironic bar songs. Nothing gets a bar going then when this tune is played. Fill your boots boys !
Jan.20/‘22
In a nail-biting vote, British Columbians on Twitter voted 'Home for a Rest' by folk rock group Spirit of the West as the province's favourite song by a B.C. artist
Was up in Lytton, B.C>, doing night photography, heard the news and we played as much Spirit of The West all the way back to Vancouver.. Especially "The Crawl", which was an anthem for all of us born & raised on The North Shore and have attempted or accomplished their own Crawl at some point.. From Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove and all in between.. R.I.P. Hillside Highwayman..