‘Twas two days before Christmas and all through the land
All the farmers were stirring to thresh that crop stand.
The harvest was early, and then it ran late
Quite enough to make everyone stressed and irate.
Packers’ stockings were hung by the kill plants with care
Hoping more BSE cash would soon appear there.
But Ma in her kerchief and Pa in his cap,
Had not yet settled down for their post-harvest nap.
When way down to the south there arose such a battle
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They sprang to their paper to read about cattle.
And what to their wondering eyes did appear,
But more trade fights than ever and price tags most dear.
More rapid than eagles those trade actions flew
The list, it grew into a real Yankee stew.
On softwood! On cattle! On spuds and on wheat!
On bison! On piggies! They turned up the heat.
In the meantime Canucks, an election did hold
With Martin the victor and Conservatives bold.
Martin’s eyes, how they twinkled! His purse strings, how loose!
Goodale found golden eggs in our fine fiscal goose.
Like dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
The money was earmarked for matters most high.
Dubya visited Martin to talk trade relief
And while speaking at parties ate Alberta beef.
The fine Canuck dollar continued its climb
Causing havoc with prices but pride most sublime.
The farmers, they battled the avian flu
They fought over rail cars and CAIS and debts due.
They welcomed the weather but fought with it too
August frost was so cold that it made them quite blue.
They griped but they rallied, having put to the test
The claim that farm people are best in the West.
And we heard them exclaim as this yuletide loomed bright
Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.
