No way back from Nunavut

August 28, 2003 1:41 PM

In Baffin's Bay where the whale fish blow, The fate of Franklin no man may know, The fate of Franklin no tongue can tell, Lord Franklin with his sailors do dwell...an Arctic mystery, involving the meeting of two cultures, cannabalism and the occult (see under "Still more mysteries", the heading "Why wasn't the accurate information (etc.)")
posted by calico (6 comments total)

Arctic tragedy is a great hook to hang a plot on, witness the exceptional campaign for the Call of Cthulhu RPG, Walker in the Wastes that begins with an expedition investigating the mysteries of the Franklin Expedition.
posted by ursus_comiter at 2:26 PM on August 28, 2003

Should of course be 'cannibalism.' Oops - damn my spelling arrogance
posted by calico at 3:34 PM on August 28, 2003

Super-interesting stuff. Links like these are why I love this place. Thanks!
posted by blissbat at 4:46 PM on August 28, 2003

Ah, for just one time I would take the Northwest Passage
To find the hand of Franklin reaching for the Beaufort Sea;
Tracing one warm line through a land so wild and savage
And make a Northwest Passage to the sea.

Be sure to listen to the "Northwest Passage" audio clip under the second link if you can. Still gives me shivers after all these years.
posted by Johnny Assay at 5:16 PM on August 28, 2003

Thanks Johnny A. for the tip off. I do believe I've had one of this man's songs in my head for 15 years without knowing who it was. Just chanced to record it as a kid from the radio.

*googles*

Yep! Found it. Brilliant stuff.

Truly I am in your debt
posted by ursus_comiter at 8:04 PM on August 28, 2003

Great stuff, and by the way, the clancy brothers do a brilliant version of the lord franklin on an album called The Wild & Wasteful Ocean. I'd be happy to mail it to anyone who wants a listen...
posted by kev23f at 1:46 AM on August 29, 2003