Michel Natal Song Rosanne (Ungaro) Anselmo
Channel: Rosanne Anselmo
Date: 2011-03-07

Intro words:  'For this next song we’re going to head a little further down the Valley and it’s a song called “The Pictures are Still there” it’s about a town that was called Michel-Natal, a few little towns were there and they’re not there anymore but people have their pictures.  And in the beginning of this song you’re going to hear a mandolin intro and it’s it’s like you hear it from the background and it’s getting louder and louder just like the town started out slow.  It got more vibrant and then it disappears just like the town did.  And the fellow playing the mandolin is my father who’s passed on and we are so fortunate to have – I was fortunate to have him included in this, so The Pictures Are Still There'

A song about Michel Natal.  My dad was born there, Emilio Ungaro, and I was raised in that little town until we had to move when I was 16 so many memories and happy times.  Here's the lyrics:

The Pictures Are Still There

There used to be a town there -  new Birth Michel/Natal
For them it was the Coal Mines - future they could not foretell
A family is what they became sharing life in a small town
Many joys and many sorrows Only memories live on

And each of them have their pictures and stories to tell
About the Bakery, Meat Market, Weber’s and Joe Gaal’s
There was Sofko’s and Arnesta’s they remember Oh so well
Yes there used to be a town there New Birth Michel/Natal

There was that little tar creek it ran right past the hall
The swimming hole was dirty it didn=t matter to them at all.
They climbed mountains- picked blue bells cross the tracks of that little town til the dark day they had to leave only memories live on

And each of them have their pictures and stories to tell
About Cheston’s and Fraser’s the Kootenay Hotel
There was Lee’s cafe, and the school there and even a show hall.
Yes there used to be a town there New birth Michel/Natal.

Some moved far away a new life they began
Other's stayed near they'd make here if they can
The tipple, even coke ovens and all of their homes gone
Yes it's the joys and the sorrows of the memories that live on.

And each of them have their pictures and stories to tell
of a place of new birth called Michel/Natal
And even though it seems not fair  people had so much to share
for each new birth the pictures are still there
Oh yes for each new birth the pictures are still there!