Neighbours of the World

Following a national contest held in 1986, City Council adopted "Neighbours of the World" written by Barry Bowman and Tom Loney as the official song of the City of Calgary. You sense in the lyrics the optimism and spirit that capture the essence of the city, even today. A recording of the song is available from the Calgary Public Library.

    This, this is the time
    Here, here is the place to be
    Stay, and set your spirit free
    Come now, now, now, now

    Let everyone know
    Let everyone come to see
    Our dreams turn into reality
    A place for us to share

    For we are neighbours of the world
    A shining city we call Calgary
    For we are neighbours of the world
    A place for you, a place for me

    A new beginning for you
    Treasure all the time you spend
    Calgary is your journey''s end
    Come now, now, now, now

    Hey, tell all the world
    This, this is our finest year
    You'll find your tomorrow's here
    You'll find it here today

    For we are neighbours of the world
    A shining city we call Calgary
    For we are neighbours of the world
    A place for you, a place for me

    Reach out, let's make a bridge
    Take the hands of your brand-new friends
    Share the feeling that never ends
    We're neighbours of the world

    Yes we are neighbours of the world
    A shining city we call Calgary
    For we are neighbours of the world
    A place for you, a place for me

Calgary:

12500 Before Present: Calgary is a chilly and desolate place; 85 percent of Alberta is covered by glaciers.

11000 to 12000 Before Present: The first Albertans populate the area.

1754: On March 5th, Anthony Henday becomes the first European to visit what is now Alberta.

1787: Cartographer David Thompson, accompanied by a group of Peigan, spends the winter camped along the Bow River, becoming the first recorded European to visit the Calgary area.

1873: John and Adelaide Glenn settle in what is now Fish Creek Park, becoming the first Europeans to settle in the vicinity of Calgary.

1875: In August, the North West Mounted Police build a post on the site of the futur