New song reminds Canadians and Americans of friendship in tough times

Terry Kelly sits at his piano. (Brianne Foley/CTV News Atlantic)

Terry Kelly and Marc Burchell have joined forces coast to coast to remind Canadians and Americans of their long-lasting friendship through a new song called "Hands Across the Border."

“Terry and I have written a song before,” Burchell said. “A couple of years ago, we wrote a song called ‘Heroes of the Home Front,’ and it’s about military families paying tribute to them because those who serve in our military get a lot of recognition, but the families are kind of hidden in the background, and they serve right alongside the military.

“So this song was inspired because Terry and I – we talk just about every day – and we were talking about all the friction between Canada and the United States, and we didn’t like it because, you know, we’ve always been such great friends with the United States.”

With Canada Day in the rearview mirror and American Independence Day coming up this Saturday, the timing for the song was perfect.

“That’s very serendipitous how that happened, because we want us to release this in January,” said Kelly. “And we had some technical problems and things were delayed and so on.

“Someone said to me, ‘Hey, July 1 and July 4 are perfect time, a perfect window to release it’, so the angels were watching, as it were, and so I’m glad we didn’t get it out in January because this is perfect.”

Sending a message to unite Canadians and Americans was important to both of them because of their relationships.

“We’re one common heart to sovereign lands, and our histories are intertwined. And there’s an event that happens here at the Peace Arch called Hands Across the Border that the Rotary Club puts on once a year,” said Burchell. “We were talking about that and Terry said, ‘Well, we should write a song called Hands Across the Border.’

“And so we got together for about four hours a day by phone, which is nice because as you know, he’s on the East Coast in Halifax and I’m here in South Surrey, White Rock and British Columbia, which again, I think is very, very symbolic when you think about ‘Hands Across the Border.’”

“This song was inspired because I do my utmost to live my life without conflict and to always look for the sweet spot,” said Kelly. “The song was inspired by that motivation. I just wanted to make sure that it was all about friendship, neighbours and family, friends, business associates.

“We have associates and friends and family across the border, both sides. And we’ve crossed from Canada to the U.S. several times over the last year. And if anything, Customs and Immigration have welcomed with open arms.”

“Going back to the founding of both countries, we have a lifetime where we have done things together and we’re stronger together,” said Burchell. “Look at the wars we fought together, the First and Second World War. We fought together, the Afghan war, which is the longest war that Canada ever fought in. We were allies.

“During 9/11 when the planes had to land somewhere, they were able to land in Gander and they treated them beautifully. We just want people to know that, like any relationship, this is just a little blip. And the people on both sides of the border care very much about each other.”

They ask people to remember the importance of friendship.

“We all have the freedom based on the fact that we’ve always worked together,” said Kelly. “We all have the freedom to choose what what’s comfortable for us. I’m not saying you should do this or you should, you know, go across the border and do this or that whenever it makes you feel comfortable.

“But I say, and it’s important to remember for me, that is all about friendship. It’s all about working together. And that’s a big, big piece of it. I’m not trying to say you should do this, you should that. Here’s how I live. Join me if you like.”