by Charles Mabbott, Darby
There are those who will say that opposition to the proposed Rare Earth Element mining in the upper reaches of the West Fork Bitterroot River is just a case of NIMBY – Not In My Back Yard. But what is the responsible thing to do when someone sets out to dig a massive hole in your yard and poison your spring?
I know it’s not much, but when I set out to write a song about the threat of a Rare Earth Element Mine on Sheep Creek at the headwaters of the Bitterroot River – I ended up thinking a lot about my maternal grandfather who (when his lungs were failing from years spent as a miner) took a young fellow fishing for a summer.
Cast A Spell
Work that dirt, dawn ‘til dusk. Dry land farm – gone to dust
Wind just has to blow – Sun can’t help but shine
A man just has to go – back to the mine
My kind old Granddad – he said this
Get your line in the water if you’re going to catch a fish
Think I’ll set a spell – If you need me yell
Just get your line in the water – catch a fish
That kind old man – he said this
We don’t need – this hot rock mine
We’ll keep our fishing whole – You might sell your soul
But That Devil, no – he won’t get mine
My kind old granddad – he said this
Get your line in the water if you’re going to catch a fish
Go on, Cast A Spell – If you need to yell – just
Get your mind in the water…make a wish.