“Four Strong Winds” is a song written by Ian Tyson in the early 1960s. It was first recorded by The Brothers Four in a version that “Bubbled Under” the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1963. Subsequently, it was recorded by Ian and Sylvia on an album of the same name released in April, 1964, reflecting the Canadian chart success of the song in 1963.
The song is a melancholy reflection on a failing romantic relationship. The singer expresses a desire for a possible reunion in a new place for the future (“You could meet me if I sent you down the fare”) but acknowledges the likelihood that the relationship is over (“But our good times are all gone/And I’m bound for moving on…”).
This folk classic has been recorded by many artists including Neil Young, Sarah McLachlan, Hank Snow, The Seekers, Judy Collins, the Chad Mitchell Trio, Bob Dylan, Marianne Faithfull, The Searchers, John Denver, Bobby Bare, The Brothers Four, The Kingston Trio, Trini Lopez, Waylon Jennings, Chad and Jeremy, The Tragically Hip, Joan Baez, Vanity Fare, Glenn Yarborough, Johnny Cash, The Carter Family, and Schooner Fare. It was a hit by Bobby Bare in 1964. It was also a big hit in Norway in 1966 in a Norwegian version: “Mot ukjent sted” by The Vanguards and a big hit in Sweden in 1967 in a Swedish version: “Mot okänt land” recorded by The Hep Stars.
The song is also referenced in A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. The narrator remembers how the main character, Owen, loved to hear that song as sung by the character of Hester.
In 2005, CBC Radio One listeners chose this song as the greatest Canadian song of all time on the series 50 Tracks: The Canadian Version.
Additionally, the song is sung on the last night of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival each year.
Ian and Sylvia sang the song together at the 50th anniversary of the Mariposa Folk Festival on July 11, 2010, in Orillia, Ontario.

By Brothers Four

Lyrics

Four strong winds that blow lonely, seven seas that run high,
All those things that don’t change, come what may.
But our good times are all gone, and I’m bound for moving on.
I’ll look for you if I’m ever back this way.

Guess I’ll go down to Alberta, weather’s good there in the fall.
Got some friends that I can go to workin’ for.
Still I wish you’d change your mind, if I asked you one more time
But we’ve been through that a hundred times or more.

If I get there before the snow flies, and if things are looking good.
You could meet me if I sent you down the fare,
But by then it would be winter, not enough for you to do.
And those winds sure do blow cold way up there.