Song of the Paddle

This documentary features outdoorsman Bill Mason and his family as they camp and canoe in the wilderness. The film fosters an appreciation for the art of canoeing while celebrating the sheer joy and beauty of nature. Along their trip, the Masons experience countless adventures and some breathtaking scenery, including indigenous rock carvings by Lake Superior.
Directed by Bill Mason - 1978 | 41 min
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[@deganmccloskey3230]

I’m young, only 23 years old and I had never seen this before. Yet it made me shed a tear for a simpler time and a better mindset.

[@ingwiafraujaz3126]

You give me hope for the future lil bro

[@pipandlobo2979]

Watching this from Ireland in 2021 with the world seemingly in turmoil!.....we all need to get back to nature. What a beautiful film! Love and peace

[@hohetannen4703]

That would require people to willingly do what not even Frodo could in the end.

[@CanoeingTheEdgeOfTheWorld]

Everything with Bill Mason in it is great.

[@AndrewMansvelt]

A true Canadian national treasure in my opinion. Absolutely beautiful, one of my favourite films!

[@jamesgreidanus2846]

This film brought back many happy memories. Though my son's first camping trip was when he was only three weeks old, I took him on his first canoe trip in Killarney Prov. Park when he was 14 months old. We gave him a spatula so he could paddle. It worked well until he leaned over a little too far and fell in. It was the first week of October, so the water was cold, but we had him back in the canoe in a heartbeat and he didn't make a sound. I miss Bill Mason, but I'm extremely grateful that he and his family have left us these films, his books, and his artwork. Because of what Bill Mason taught me, I still hear the "song of the paddle".

[@swirledworld340]

I'm cracking up over the spatula paddle 😂

[@a.b.6677]

A blessed family, fond memories of childhood and good people who left, Bill, my own dad... rest all in peace.

[@toddheil42]

If today's youth might only be able to taste of this way of life for a single day, their lives might escape the hidden dangers of today's technologies.

[@tombeckett4340]

I remembered doing the White River and paddle all the way back to Rossport on Superior. It was a challenging paddle with the wind. Some days we couldn’t go because of the wind. It probably was one of the best trips of my life 40 years ago. Cheers 🇨🇦👍

[@chriswaters926]

There is no heaven greater then the Canadian wilderness,in canoe, with family and friends.

[@darenhatch7693]

I first saw this film as a rental from a library in Winnipeg in 1981. I fell in love with the film and have been looking for it ever since. Thank you NFB for making it available for everyone!

[@brianve7jyd943]

Brings back memories long ago - in thr 60's - of campin with my folks on Georgian Bay and the inlets and rivers off of it mostly the French and Pickerel Rivers - best days of my life - sumtimes i really with for a do over

[@SailorSam41]

Thank you for posting this. Watched it many times on VHS back in the early '80's. One technique Bill taught for emptying a full canoe when you capsize alone, was later to save my life. Good to see old "Pancake Mason" once more scraping his stuck-on creation from that battered old aluminum pan. Oh the memories watching this has brought. I will sleep good tonight.

[@Andy-x3i8y]

“Ever!” Love the Canadian 80’s hoopty-whoopy lingo and lilting accent. Reminds me of being a kid.

[@GNML6836]

Probably 70s

[@TheMaineWoods]

I love these videos

[@jbradshaw4236]

At 12.10 that kid shows he can really paddle.. impressive. Great upload.

[@JoergStrolch]

Wonderful family adventure, wonderful pictures of nature. Thank you for this film.

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

This film and all of them created by this great man was inspiring for me and still is when i was young ! and all his books are also full of very importantes details of life survival skills.

[@comanchedonbushcraft8932]

This guy was and is a national treasure for Canada. I've seen water walker many times, just stumbled on to this one. if he has more I'd love to know about them.

[@BarefootNellie]

Thanks Bill. I need to out more. Miss you

[@janetcraft]

I love this video. It has everything that we all want. Nature. Just to get away from the humdrum of everyday life. I like Bill Mason pictures and videos. The Northern part of Canada is something to behold. It's trolley amazing. Thank you. I like to go camping out now ... Like I use to, years ago. So many memories of Summer days gone by...

[@gus473]

👍The companion book is great too! Excellent reference! 😎

[@filmic1]

I had a wonderful correspondence with Bill Mason after Water Walker came out on the big screen. I was so moved by it I wrote him and he sent me a lovely postcard of a wolf vs moon motif. He was so candid. It was sad when he left us, but he went home. There was great comfort in that. Lament not getting to know him better.

[@NovaHiker50]

That was fantastic!

[@PROTOPROTOMMXXIV]

Wonderful story

[@phvnbent]

Every time I watch one of his movies, I have to go take a canoe trip. Last time it was th FL. keys I am looking a the map now for the next adventure.

[@GNML6836]

Great video ! 🇨🇦

[@mopslopanbucket]

That dismount! 16:30

[@mcwharton9285]

hey really nice. and i do like the song blue you good dog you. i grew up actually singing that song so i guess im a little dated, anchorage alaska usa. and looking forward to the next paddle!

[@tombeckett4340]

When we got married my wife and I padded out to the Slate island for our honeymoon. It was amazing. Cheers 🇨🇦👍

[@michaelnowak993]

If we would all just take the time to LESSON and LOOK!!!!!

[@luxpall]

Please can someone tell me what is that whislting instrument played in the intro song ? Is it a song from Bill himself ?

[@dellamonk6792]

Who's filming?

[@Adventuringtoabetterme]

I wonder how heavy their canoes where back then

[@louisevanpolanen6380]

That Grumman, the metal one, is about 75 pounds. We still have one.

[@jbradshaw4236]

Sorry i meant 10.12.

[@jacobblumberg5656]

What song @ 5:00?

[@StormLaker]

Pretty sure I would find higher ground to camp on than that beach.

[@adamwatson2914]

Oh thank god it finished.

[@adamwatson2914]

Alright officer, I'll move along ;D

[@shaneroper477]

No appreciation.

[@hohetannen4703]

The generic 70’s music ruined it, too be honest I prefer the native’s songs or at least those of the Frenchmen. The harmonica and rambling is obnoxious and clashes with the stoic beauty of the place.

[@adamwatson2914]

Damn hippies. LOL. So strange..do people, nay, families like this even exist anymore? I sure hope so. I think the world needs them. :) I wonder what they`re doing now, I wonder if the boy or the girl moved to a big city or if either of the parents have passed on. Well this was good but in my opinion it felt like a documentary aimed at children. Also it was hella-preachy, but it`s okay.

[@Tonymagination]

Adam Watson They live in a small town named Chelsea now, the girl is now a canoeing instructor, she specialized courses on a Lake near her house and the other one is a cartoonist I believe. Both live not far away form eachother.

[@shaneroper477]

Funny how people call certain things "preachy". If you don't appreciate and respect the Natural world, you have no idea what keeps you alive.

[@ingwiafraujaz3126]

​@@shaneroper477Can still be preachy

[@adamwatson2914]

The narrator`s voice is nasaly and annoying and oh my god, I do believe they`re gonna do that twee singing all the way through...

[@sid7088]

It's now 2023, have you grown up yet? 😮

[@adamwatson2914]

My tolerance for bullshit has improved yes

[@4aneme8R]

I saw this first as a film at Lake Superior Provincial Park Agawa Bay. Our Hosteling group was offering canoeing lessons and the instruction from this film meant I knew what to do and how. I still use the Canadian stroke and have taught others to use it.

[@lewandlo]

These videos ,or should I say 16 mm movies were so much a part of my growing up in high school. We had the best outdoor education class in all of Ontario back in 1978. Our teacher would find out when the newest film was available and show it to the class. It brings so many memories of out trips into the bush . Both canoe trips and back pack trips as well.We used to trip in the Seguin Trail area near Parry Sound Ontario. Oh the fond memories of those trips. Hard work ,yet so rewarding. Our canoe trip was 9 days of a lot of paddling . Any one here from the old Shawnee high school of Windsor Ontario. Would be so cool to know if anyone still remembers those trips. Thanks for posting these old films. We used to sing " Our paddles keen and bright ,flashing with silver ...AH ....those were the days. Still many days left to make those memories again.

[@Charlie-sr6dv]

Great. Captures both the thrill and beauty of doing a canoe trip in the wildnerness and the art of reading the river and deciding what routes to take or not. Really good to see Blll and Paul's approach and techniques of working their way through wild water. Thanks for sharing.

[@rpm1796]

The Real Canada....

[@micariver6794]

Excellent!

[@Ecoeurope]

Piękne

[@Charlimarteli]

Bill probably got beat up a lot in elementary....just a hunch