(F, C; Am, G; F, C; G, Am)
Canoeing through the Kawatae Lakes in old Ontario
My brother and I went trapping during an early October snow
We came upon an Ojibwe camp abandoned years ago
Found shelter in a lean-to as the wind began to blow

(Chorus)
(G, Am,, F, C; G, Am, F, C)
Woodsmoke and whiskey and a little bit of repartee
Woodsmoke and whiskey to keep us company

We covered 14 miles that first day out of camp
The snow turned to drizzle, we were feelin kind of damp
That week we porteged Healey Falls, that was quite a hike
Our bellies knotted in hunger though we fished for bass and pike

Woodsmoke and whiskey and a little bit of repartee
Woodsmoke and whiskey kept us company

Staring at the embers, starin at the fire's glow
The quiet overtook us with memories of long ago
Our mama and papa were gone now and so was our sister Sue
Two boys out in the wilderness just tryin to make a go

(Whistle chorus)
(Chorus)

From far away some lonesome wolves were makin their mournful cry
Was a lonesome feelin no one knowin if we were to die
No one would claim our bodies if we perished in this cold
And a few beaver pelts weren't worth the cost of never growin old

But what was there for us in the town where we were born?
Our people were all gone now, there was no one left to mourn
Jobs were scarce, we had no means, no good way to get by
So we packed our traps and our hunting gear and made for the open sky

(As chorus)
We made for the open sky oh Lord, we made for the open sky
And little did we know where our fates would surely lie

Sitting here by this dying fire, chilled to the bone
Grateful for the company as we pass this time alone
As we pass the time alone oh Lord, as we pass this time alone
Just woodsmoke and whiskey to remind us of our home

Then my brother says as he often does, I think that we're just tired
Tomorrow is another day let's build ourselves a fire
We've got fine whiskey and good stout bread, our traps are set and ready
Let's stick to plan and look ahead, the weather's holdin steady

And we've got
Woodsmoke and whiskey and mighty fine repartee
We've got woodsmoke and whiskey to keep us company

(F, C, G,Am; F, C, G, Am)
Yes we've got woodsmoke and whiskey and easy repartee
We've got woodsmoke and whiskey
We've got woodsmoke and whiskey
Yes we've got woodsmoke and whiskey
And each other's company

We've got woodsmoke and whiskey
We've got woodsmoke and whiskey
Yes we've got woodsmoke and whiskey
And my brother's company