Seasons of Britt, Ontario: A Song

Our family has lived in the Britt, Ontario area since the late 1800s. The landscape has become part of our family story. We feel a deep connection to the area. This year for Christmas I made my parents a video to try to capture how we feel about Georgian Bay.

I’ve travelled the world and I still find Britt, Ontario to be the most beautiful place. This is my holiday prayer.

A Celebration of Georgian Bay Landscape

Creative Process:

The video is made up of photos I’ve taken over the last five years throughout the seasons. Some of the photos were taken by my dad. Then I rewrote the words to Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” I sang and recorded the song in the style of K.D. Lang.

Lyrics for Seasons of Britt, Ontario:

“Hallelujah”

(originally by Leonard Cohen, altered by Jessica Outram)

I know about a special place

Our family lived, and it pleased the Lord

You don’t really care for sunshine, do ya?

Well it goes like this

The lake, the moss

The Georgian Bay, the town of Britt

The family rock composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Our roots strong like a mighty spruce

Our family song climbs the roof

The granite and the moonlight see right through ya

Oh we sing and rock upon the porch

We walk the road and light the torch

And ride the waves to whisper Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I know that you’ve been here before

you’ve seen this light and you’ve swam to shore

you’ve lived in Britt before I knew ya

The seasons pass on the granite arch

The birch sings out a victory march

It’s a still and it’s a special Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Seasons change and still we call

Winter, spring, summer, and fall

One road a holy place that’ll renew ya

Britt’s by a prayer you hear at night

Britt’s by someone who’s seen the light

Britt’s a warm and perfect Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah…

Click here to read more about our family history in Britt, Ontario.