Clawhammer Mike - Don't Blame That on the Finns Lyrics

When you think of northern Minnesota
Think of the beauty and the timber
Late night walks on the great North Shore
Vacations to remember
Maybe you go to the Boundary Waters
Where no cars are allowed to go
Maybe you head to the cabin at the lake
Before it gets too cold
Most places look like an idyllic scene
Away from those taconite plants
Move away from those mines and all those hard times
Just canoe right on past
But don't blame that on the Finns
No, Don't blame that on the Finns
Towns like Hibbing and Ely, they got a little problem
When there is no right way out it's sure hard to solve them
Tourists go there for water and fresh air on a summertime day
But when winter time comes to those 10,000 lakes
The tourists, they mostly go away
Mining brings jobs to the people and environmental decay
Poisoning the water that people flock for, a vicious cycle on display
But don't blame that on the Finns
You can't that on the Finns
These problems go way back to you I can tell, the year was 1916
The workers on the Mesabi Range tried to strike
And would not be demeaned
The Finns felt discriminated and led the charge
But they were beaten every step of the way
Their strike was broken with the blood, sweat and the tears
Little reforms came that day
So next time you're up at the cabin having fun
Having fun with your friends
Just remember not to take for granted those peaceful surroundings
You can credit that to the Finns
Please credit that to the Finns
You can credit that to the Finns
Please credit that to the Finns