Okotoks artist Yvonne Martinez has written and performed Land of Everything, which she describes as a love song to Canada.
Martinez derived inspiration for the song from multiple aspects of the country, including the nature, people and spirit of Canada.
“I wanted to highlight our beautiful country,” said Martinez.
“I’m just so fortunate to be born in this country because I’m a really outdoors kind of person. I have had a full-time career as a watercolour artist painting birds and botanicals but along the way I have always been writing songs.”
In 2014, she released a song about the High River flood called Rain Rain Go Away that captured the experiences of herself and many others during the calamitous time.
Martinez got the idea to record her newest song based on her experience during the 150th Canada Day in 2017.
Originally titled Sesquicentennial, Martinez has refined the song over several years to now have something she feels accurately reflects her feelings and intent.
“I realized it was a bit rushed when I did it, (so) over these years I have worked on it and worked on it and turned it into something that is like my love song for Canada,” she said.
Several lines in the song are reflective of uniquely Canadian properties like our wildlife and geography.
One line in particular talks about the famous Canadian northern lights. Martinez chose to highlight them among many other Canadian symbols due to their status as one of the Seven Natural Wonders, a fact she said is not well known.
Martinez is excited to share the song with listeners around the country and hopes it will inspire camaraderie and unity.
Several people have told Martinez the song could be a secondary national anthem for Canada.
She is working on a music video that will incorporate many elements of the Canadian story into it, some of which are from the Foothills.
Those interested in listening to the song can do so in a newly-released video on Martinez’s YouTube channel here.
