The Songs of BUFFY Sainte-Marie
Reid Jamieson & CVM – Independent | Feb 20, 2026
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Four years in the making, this collection appears to be the world’s first full tribute album to singer songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie (Recording began during lockdown back in January 2022). Longtime fans, and those who admired the icon and activist but are not as familiar with Buffy’s diverse musical catalog, will find this contemporary snapshot of her incredible body of work something deliciously new to explore. Naturally, Reid cannot sing her many potent indigenous protest songs. He can, however, sing her praises as a singer songwriter. This collection is nothing short of epic (prophetic even) in that department – weaving in and out of genres, and spanning six decades of a uniquely robust career. Featuring vocals that whisper and soar, Reid’s signature nylon string guitar, and flourishes of ukulele in honour of her home in Hawaii. With little chance of airplay, this album is truly a labour of love, showing that in a world where our heroes are all too human, the enigma that is Buffy Sainte-Marie remains an inspiration.
PROMO NOTE: In an effort to reduce adding any trauma to what should be a more nuanced conversation, there will be no media release or newsletter mention, no tour to support this release, and no interviews will be given. We kindly ask that folks listen to the album before commenting. And if fans want to share this, please send via private message. The full story below.
“You may question Buffy’s heritage but you can not challenge her talent or ability to write meaningful songs. You guys have captured her music and spirit, stripped of controversy and presented in a way for a new and ever faithful audience to enjoy. I wish you luck with this heartfelt tribute to an amazing artist.” – Bruce Good, The Good Brothers
CREDITS:
Recorded, mixed, and all instruments by Reid Jamieson. Produced by Carolyn Victoria Mill. Mastered by Michael Holland. Artwork by Carlos Gouveia. All songs written by Buffy Sainte-Marie, except ‘Song for Buffy’ (Jamieson/Mill).
TRACKLISTING: (lyrics and more on each song below)
1. Fallen Angels
2. Summer Boy
3. Soulful Shade of Blue
4. The Big Ones Get Away (feat. CVM)
5. Universal Soldier
6. When I Had You
7. Love Charms (Mojo Bijou) (feat. CVM)
8. Take My Hand For A While
9. Piney Wood Hills
10. Until Its Time For You To Go (feat. CVM)
11. Carry It On
12. Song For Buffy * (Reid Jamieson, music, Carolyn Victoria Mill, lyrics)
THE STORY:
Vancouver’s Reid Jamieson is that rare songbird whose originals are every bit as compelling as his interpretations. Known for his remarkable vocals, spirited guitar playing and bashful introversion, Reid has made a name for himself over the last 20+ years appearing as a regular on Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Café, winning a couple of songwriting awards, as well as soft-rocking small stages and the house concert circuit on both sides of the border – all while flying under the media’s radar. Independently releasing 14 albums, with approximately half of those being tributes, including homages to Elvis and the 50s era greats, Leonard Cohen, John Lennon, and what could be mistaken for a simple holiday record (it’s not), he has way of pleasing the people without drawing too much attention to himself. This might be about to change.
Approaching 50 Reid decided to focus on making original music only moving forward, ending his career of cover crooning with a final collection celebrating a female artist. Having great admiration for her incredible repertoire, adventurous guitar playing and vocals, as well as her longevity and generosity of spirit, he landed on the songs of Buffy Sainte-Marie. Hoping to become for Buffy what Jennifer Warnes was to Leonard Cohen, introducing her music to new audiences who were perhaps not so keen on their ‘authentic’ vocals, he set to work.
Recording began during lockdown back in January 2022, with Reid and the missus moving his home studio to Vancouver Island where they were caring for an American fan’s rural property. Recording every instrument himself, he worked closely with his wife and songwriting partner of 24 years Carolyn Victoria Mill (aka CVM), who also produced and performed on album. They spent the better part of two years exploring the dynamic work of this veteran creator, re-reading Andrea Warner’s authorized biography for better insight into the artist’s life. Capturing these songs was to have a profound impact on them both.
Moving slowly, they were approaching the finish line in Oct 2023 when they received the news of the Fifth Estate exposé while on a trip to England. After Trump being elected, followed by an unprecedented global pandemic, they thought the next logical bombshell would have to be alien invasion – not the unthinkable reality of Buffy being cancelled. And a powerful voice for Indigenous people silenced. Next thing they knew, their record release concert was cancelled – and them along with it. Many suggested they shelve the album completely. The duo were crushed, but not broken. And so, along with so many fans, they grieved for a while. And then took stock of what they truly believed. And then resumed work on what appears to be the world’s first full tribute album to Buffy Sainte-Marie. There have been many singles covered, from Elvis to Donovan, Streisand to Cocker, and yet no collection for this enduring icon, until now.
As has been their habit when releasing tributes, Reid & CVM included an original song that partly explains why – knowing that there could be significant blowback – they decided to release the album anyways. You will have to listen to learn more. Releasing on Buffy’s 85th birthday, they also wanted to make sure she heard it too. And the fact is, being nobody’s indie darlings, they had nothing to lose!
Longtime fans, and those who admired the icon and activist but are not as familiar with Buffy’s diverse musical catalog, will find this contemporary snapshot of her incredible body of work something deliciously new to explore. Naturally, Reid cannot sing her many potent indigenous protest songs. He can, however, sing her praises as a singer songwriter – and this collection is nothing short of epic (and sometimes prophetic) in that department – weaving in and out of genres and spanning six decades of a uniquely robust career. Featuring vocals that whisper and soar, Reid’s signature nylon string guitar, and flourishes of ukulele in honour of her home in Hawaii. Fully self-funded and four years in the making, with little chance of airplay, this album is truly a labour of love. It shows that in a world where our heroes are all too human, the enigma that is Buffy Sainte-Marie remains an inspiration for many.
PS: With an Insta-prompt from Dan Levy, CVM was inspired to earn herself a diploma for the 12 week Indigenous Canada course through the University of Alberta to better understand the world that Buffy was defending. We highly recommend our friends and fans check it out too. A small fee for dimploma, or free without, available here
VIDEOS:
PHOTOS:
LYRICS
1 Fallen Angels (Coincidence and Likely Stories, 1992) CAR402601001
A radio hit that spookily sums up where things stand in the world, then and today, taking on corruption with her trademark blend of biting assessments and bottomless compassion…this time around with a delightfully danceable beat!
Fallen Angels, Fallen Angels
I know a man in the business line
He power hungry, he’s a money mine
Smooth as satin he’s a big time shark
Fallen Angel
I know a brother, ooh he mean as sin
He got a brother who’s just like him
Livin’ over in Moscow, 2 of a kind.
How come the great power got the junkie mind
Fallen Angels, They never get enough
Fallen Angels oo oo, They got the addictions
Fallen Angels, They litter the skies
Fallen Angels, Don’t you wanna turn ’em around, Turn ’em around
I know a man in the USA, He runnin’ guns with the CIA
He’s the best that being bad can be
Who’d think he do it all for me
What’s it matter if you’re green or red
The Yankee dollar or the commie threat
When the real power in the real world
Gonna deny it all anyway
Fallen Angels. They never get enough
Fallen Angels oo oo, They got the addictions
Fallen Angels, They litter the skies
Fallen Angels, Don’t you wanna turn ’em around, Turn ’em around
You believe in the system from the top on down
Potential is a beautiful thing
It’s hard to keep believing in the big time
Now you’re sinking in the wind
Star light, star bright,
Somebody going down tonight
Stayed true when it was time to lie,
Got it right
Fallen Angels. Never get enough
Fallen Angels hoo hoo, They got the addictions
Fallen Angels, They litter the skies
Fallen Angels, Don’t you wanna turn ’em around, Turn ’em around
2 Summer Boy (Fire & Fleet & Candlelight, 1967) CAR402601002
Originally a love song when Buffy sang it, here we find Reid looking back at his younger self with all the longing of summers end. Huge vocals with dark instrumentation fit for a gay Bond theme.
Face of joy,
covering all your fears
Summer boy
give me your tears
Hands of gold
playing a prayer
Heart and soul,
praying a song
Clowns can smile,
and gardeners grow their flowers
Summer boy,
give me your hours
Give me your glance
like the wing of a dove
Summer boy,
give me your love
Suns can set
and willows can weep their tears
Summer boy,
give me your years
Give me your hand,
before autumn starts
Summer boy
give me your heart
3 Soulful Shade of Blue (I’m Gonna Be A Country Girl Again, 1968) CAR402601003
Soulful Shade of Blue (I’m Gonna Be A Country Girl Again, 1968). Had to give this tune a gender swap. Though we don’t long for the old days where a man told a woman what to do, what to wear. THat said, we wouldn’t be sad if they still did thinks like sending you a dress to wear for your next encounter 🙂
Dressmaker, dressmaker
I’m singing at the hall next Saturday night
and she’ll be there
I’ve been gone, for so long,
I want her back again
Make her the sweetest dress you can
Make it a soulful shade of blue
with a ribbon at the hem
A ribbon white for loyalty
to show that I remember when a
soulful shade of blue, looked into my eyes
And tell her, I want her back again
Dressmaker, dressmaker
Don’t make it loud or bright,
just make it a sweet and gentle style
Then maybe, she’ll remember me
it was not so long ago
I’ll miss her sweet and gentle smile
Make it a soulful shade of blue
with a ribbon at the hem
A ribbon white for loyalty
to show that I remember when
A soulful shade of blue,
looked into my eyes
And tell her, I want her back again
Make it a soulful shade of bluuuuuue
Dressmaker, dressmaker
I’m singing at the hall next Saturday night
and she’ll be there
4 The Big Ones Get Away (Coincidence and Likely Stories, 1992) CAR402601004
When we sent our first single to Buffy’s manager in hopes of some support with the release, he said he dug it and we should take a meeting. We hopped in the van and took a ferry to the mainland, only to be stood up. Little did we know that things would get much worse. This song so perfectly captures how CVM felt when it all came down. Who did this expose serve? The big ones still get away.
Hey, baby I just got back from town
Where the bribes are paid
Honey, they turned my offer down
They say the deal’s already made
So now I gotta stand and watch
While it all comes down
And the buzzards and the hawks
And the judges and the mob
Circle round
Now if I were the queen of all the world
I would go in chains just to see you free
Of the ropes that bind you
And the role you play
And the pride that hooks you
While the big ones get away
Love junkies wanna change the world
It quickly stays the same
Money junkies hire all the smart ones
Power junkies run the game
One step at a time
Polarity Hill
If the bad guys don’t get you, baby
Then the good guys will
With angels on the take
And the gangsters in the yard
Hey, don’t the wars come easy?
Hey, don’t the peace come hard?
Now if I had a way to reach the sky
I’d grab that crescent moon
Wield it like a knife, Save you from the lies
From the ropes that bind you
And the role you play
And the game that hooks you
While the big ones get away
Hey, baby I just got back from town…
5 Universal Soldier It’s My Way 1964 Buffy Sainte-Marie CAR402601005
Most folks think Donovan wrote this song. Even the Smithsonian Magazine, when photographing the lyrics to Universal Soldier written on the wall at a soldiers bedside,labelled her song as ‘author unknown’. But this anthem is uniquely Buffy – with a small edit from us. Will we ever learn?
He’s five foot-two and he’s six feet-four
He fights with missiles and with spears
He’s all of 31, and he’s only 17
He’s been a soldier for a thousand years
He’s a Catholic, a Hindu, an Atheist, a Jain
A Buddhist, and a Muslim, and a Jew
And he knows he shouldn’t kill
And he knows he always will
Kill you for me, my friend, and me for you
And he’s fighting for Canada, He’s fighting for France
He’s fighting for the U.S.A
And he’s fighting for the Russians, And he’s fighting for Japan
And he thinks we’ll put an end to war this way
And he’s fighting for Democracy, He’s fighting for the Reds
He says it’s for the peace of all
He’s the one who must decide, Who’s to live and who’s to die
And he never sees the writing on the wall
But without him, How would Hitler
have condemned them at Dachau?
Without him Caesar would have stood alone
He’s the one who gives his body as a weapon of the war
And without him all this killing can’t go on
He’s the Universal Soldier and he really is to blame
His orders come from far away no more
They come from him, and you and me
And brothers, can’t you see?
This is not the way we put an end to war…
And he’s fighting for Democracy, He’s fighting for the Reds
He says it’s for the peace of all
He’s the one who must decide,
Who’s to live and who’s to die
And he never sees the writing on the wall
He’s the Universal Soldier and he really is to blame
His orders come from far away no more
They come from him, and you and me
And mothers, can’t you see?
This is not the way we put an end to war…
6 When I Had You (Running for the Drum, 2008) CAR402601006
A torch song that CVM would like to send out to the ex. 🙂
When I had you
I was cool
Everything just turn to gold
Ooh, I couldn’t lose
You watched over me
Like a light
Everybody see me shine
Ooh, ooh
When I had you
Once I could fly
Like a fool
Long as you were by my side
Ooh, I couldn’t fall
Right from the start
You had me covered
That’s the part that I forgot
Thought I did it all
When I had you
Blind to your magic
Babe I never even caught your show
I had magic of my own
I wouldn’t be out shown
Now I’m alone
In the night
Everything just calls your name
Nothing is the same
I want you back
I’m on my knees now
Praying for a dream come true
Like the one we had
When I had you
7 Love Charms (Mojo Bijou) (Power in the Blood, 2015) CAR402601007
This a tune that caught CVM’s ear and heart. Pairs well with getting on a plane – something that terrifies us still. Where your concern for someone else’s wellbeing (and in this case our extreme fear of flying) has you praying to gods you don’t believe in, conjuring charms to keep them safe.
I’m thinking up love charms, cause I can’t say a word
I’ve just got to stand and stare, as far as you’re concerned
Every time I let you go, it’s just an illusion
Looking like I don’t care, and trying not to show, The way I feel
I’m thinking up love charms (love charms).
Love charms (love charms)
Thinking up love charms, What else can I do? Oo Oo
I’ve got planes in my head, they’re flying off everywhere
but where I want to go, wherever you are
I’ve got to got to keep my head
while I’m making these changes
Making every connection between the lines
Making believe come true
I’m thinking up love charms (love charms).
Love charms (love charms)
Thinking up love charms. Mojo bijoux, Oo Oo Oo
I’ve got to got to keep my head
while I’m making these changes
Making every connection between the lines
Making believe come true
I’m thinking up love charms (love charms). Love charms (love charms).
Thinking up love charms. What else can I do Oo Ooooo
I’ve got planes in my head, they’re flying off everywhere
but where I want to go, wherever you are oh ohhh
I’m thinking up love charms (love charms). love charms (love charms).
Thinking up love charms. What else can I do Oo Ooooo
I’m thinking up love charms (I want you so bad)
Love charms (I want you so good)
Love charms….Mojo bijoux Ooo ooooooh
I’m thinkin up love charms..
8 Take My Hand For A While (I’m Gonna Be A Country Girl Again, 1968) CAR402601008
If you had asked us when we started recording this album if folks would so quickly cancel Buffy based on an expose that depended in large part on the words of her alleged abuser’s family…and colonial blood quantum…and that she would not be given the benefit of the doubt for her decades of humanitarian service…well…we just wouldn’t have believed it. There is more to this story than meets the eye, hoping time will tell. This song seems to fit the moment. Happy birthday Buffy, we still love you.
Take my hand for a while, Explain it to me once again
Just for the sake of my broken heart
Look into my eyes, and maybe I will understand
How love I’d counted on, was never there
You see, I thought
That you might love me
So you caught me, it seems
Off balance with a heart that’s full
Of love and pretty dreams
That two should share
Solo
And so, I know
But please before you go
Take my hand for a while, explain it to me once again
Just for the sake of my broken heart
9 Piney Wood Hills (Many A Mile, 1965) CAR402601009
Pine trees are our favourite. We long to swing in hammocks under them or simply curl up and nap in the soft needle bed of the tree’s shadow. Funny, when we think of the piney wood hills, they are not the ones from Buffy’s childhood, but the soft feathery pines in the sands of Hawaii where she has lived for decades.
I’m a rambler and a rover
And a wanderer it seems
I’ve traveled all over
Chasing after my dreams
But a dream should come true
And a heart should be filled
And a life should be lived
In the piney wood hills
I’ll return to the woodlands
I’ll return to the snow,
I’ll return to the hills
And the valley below
I’ll return as a poor man
Or a king if I will
But I’m on my way home
To the piney wood hills
I was raised on a song there
I done right I done wrong there
And it’s true I belong there
And it’s true it’s my home
From ocean to ocean
I’ve rambled and roamed
And soon I’ll return
To my piney wood home
Maybe someday I’ll find
Someone who will
Love as I love my piney wood hills
I was raised on a song there, I done right I done wrong there
And it’s true I belong there, And it’s true it’s my home
I’ll return to the woodlands, I’ll return to the snow
I’ll return to the hills, And the valley below
I’ll return as a poor man
Or a king if I will
But I’m on my way home
To the piney wood hills
10 Until Its Time For You To Go (Many A Mile, 1965) CAR402601010
Elvis Presley recorded this song 9 times. The Colonel was unable to talk Buffy into signing over any publishing shares after she learned her lesson with Universal Soldier. Many have coverd it since. We get choked up every time we sing it.
You’re not a dream, You’re not an angel, You’re a man
You’re not a queen, you’re a woman, Take my hand
We’ll make a space in the lives that we planned
And here we’ll stay until it’s time for you to go
Yes, we’re different worlds apart, We’re not the same
We laughed and played, At the start like in a game
You could have stayed outside my heart, but in you came
And here you’ll stay until it’s time for you to go
Don’t ask why,
Don’t ask how,
Don’t ask forever,
Love me now
This love of mine, had no beginning, it has no end
I was an oak, now I’m a willow, now I can bend
And tho’ I’ll never, in my life, see you again
I’ll still stay until it’s time for you to go
Don’t ask why of me,
Don’t ask how of me
Don’t ask forever of me
Just love me, love me now
You’re not a dream, You’re not an angel, You’re a man
You’re not a queen, you’re a woman, Take my hand
We’ll make a space in the lives that we planned
And here we’ll stay until it’s time for you to go
This love of mine, had no beginning, It has no end
I was an oak, now I’m a willow, now I can bend
And tho’ I’ll never in my life see you again
I’ll still stay until it’s time for you to go
And here we’ll stay until it’s time for you to go
11 Carry It On (Medicine Songs, 2015) CAR402601011
Buffy really wanted this song to be her legacy, that we would all carry on looking for the light and lifting each other up. Mother Earth needs us more than ever and we can do something about it, together.
Hold your head up, lift the top of your mind
Put your eyes on the Earth,
Lift your heart to your own home planet
What do you see? What is your attitude?
Are you here to improve or damn it?
Look right now, and you will see we’re only
here by the skin of our teeth as it is
So take heart and take care of your link with Life and
Oh carry it on, We’re saying, Oh carry it on, Keep playing,
Oh carry it on
It ain’t money that makes the world go round
That’s only temporary confusion
It ain’t governments that make the people strong
It’s the opposite illusion
Look right now, and you will see they’re only
here by the skin of their teeth, as it is
so take heart and take care of your link with Life and
Oh carry it on We’re saying
Oh carry it on Keep playing
Oh carry it on
Look right now
and you will see we’re only
here by the skin of our teeth, as it is
so take heart and take care of your link with
Life is beautiful, if you got the sense
to take care of your source of perfection
Mother Nature, is she the daughter of God
or the source of all protection?
Look right now, and you will see she’s only
here by the skin of her teeth, as it is
so take heart and take care of your link with Life
Oh carry it on, We’re saying, Oh carry it on, Keep playing
Oh carry it on, We’re staying, Oh carry it on
Oh carry it on We’re saying, Oh carry it on Keep playing
Oh carry it on We’re staying, Oh carry it on
12 Song for Buffy (aka Saint Buffy) written by Reid Jamieson, Carolyn Victoria Mill -CAR402601012
We worried that folks would judge us for making this record. That we were only making it to get on the Indigenous bandwagon when it was her being female and impressive that inspired us. We learned things from her that took a while to sink in. She never gave up on us getting the message, and now it’s our turn to speak up. (PS: we are atheists)
I heard it said, the other day
how history was swept away
land and skins were traded fair – they say
The Doctrine of Discovery
said kill them all, till they believe
in the righteousness of property – and pray
And she told me, I just wasn’t listening
when she sang of history to reconcile
I heard it said, another day
how little ones were torn away
kept from kin and forced to kneel all day
In unmarked graves were made to lay
those that lived forever changed
to model love, they’d never seen displayed
And she told me, I just wasn’t listening
when she sang of history to reconcile
And she holds me, to a higher identity
just how it was meant to be, as one we could fly
My heart it broke again today
stolen sisters, no one pays
hunted down the streets they walk like prey
Free to kill, then throw away
in government, our trust betrayed
when men in blue just look the other way
And she told me, I just wasn’t listening
when she sang of history, to reconcile
And she holds me, to a higher identity
just how it was meant to be, as one we could fly
And she told me, with grace and such dignity
well, she finally got through to me
Now it’s my turn to try
So I’m saving my prayers…
for Buffy Saint-Marie
somebody who cares
for the people that we don’t see
And when I despair,
she lifts me up so I can see
that the savior we all need
will only come to be
when we follow the star,
in you and me
for Buffy Saint Marie
somebody who cares,
and still they came for her
– no good deed
And when I despair,
she lifts me up so I can see
that the savior we all need
will only come to be
when we follow the star,
in you and me …
Be gentle with each other. xocvm+reido