A Unique Version of The Ballad of Norm Bullion (2026 Adaptation)

 About this Video: A Gift of the Sacred Word

The Beginning: Main and Hastings, 1982-1983

This work is a gift for the people who deserve the best—especially those who cannot afford paywalls and for whom the truth remains a lifeline. The energy you hear in this song does not come from me; it comes from the Creator. I am simply the vessel given the task of sharing it.

In the early eighties, I was a young film student at Simon Fraser University and a member of the Carnegie Theater Guild. We were a group of young DTES folks working out of a warehouse at 1000 Parker Street in Vancouver, teaching acting and directing with Colin MacPherson and Myself. Colin started the free acting directing workshop before I ever came along, so I must pay great respect to my old friend. He started the free acting and directing classes early 80s and when we all came together in 1983, it was an era of intense creative energy, where we produced plays like Joanna, KL007: A Shot in the Dark (about the tragedy of the downed Korean airliner) and a stage adaptation of 1984 adapted by Dave Westall, Directed by Colin. I performed Winston Smith.
It was during this time that I met Norm Bullion and Baby Tramp on the corner of Main and Hastings, right by the community center. They were happy, playing the blues. I asked if I could record them. They said, "Sure, just throw something in the hat." I pulled out my wallet and gave them a $2 bill.
I recorded their session, but I over-modulated everything on my old equipment. I used that sound for my 6-minute, 16mm non-sync film called Pushing People Down. That film—considered an "epic" for a student back then—no longer exists, but the story remained in my heart. Today, through the help of AI, I have been able to "fix" that over-modulated history and bring the Word back into the light.
The Ballad of Norm Bullion
Written by Donald Alfred Morin (1992)
Refrain:
You walk on water, I walk on dry land
You walk on water, we walk on dry land
Verse 1:
Walking down the street one day
And I see my old friend, Norm Bullion
I say, "Tansi, Tansi" and he says, "Monitow"
He had his sister and his brother
With those deep brown eyes looking at me
Verse 2:
Can you help me out today? You remember me?
It's been ten years since I seen you play
You playing with Baby Tramp down in Mary's basement
You playing Burnside Blues for nickels and dimes
Verse 3:
I didn't know what to do, a young man trying to do his time
Feeling a little under the weather...
I look in those deep brown eyes and I pull out my wallet
I give two, two, two, two dollar bills
I say, "I wish you wouldn't have your drink of wine"
Verse 4:
I didn't know what to say, he looks at me
Says, "Thank you, thank you, thank you"
Look at that mountain over there, you see that Grizzly
Looking for his family—so hard to find
Verse 5:
Yeah, the coyotes are going wild
Upstream and downstream, no more salmon to be found
Outro:
I said, "Norm, I gotta go, I gotta go, I gotta go"
I gotta play a Burnside Blue... I gotta go...

The Closing: The Sacred Responsibility
On July 23rd, 2026, the Creator returned the soul of this Word to me as a bundle to share. This is not about my work; it is about the energy of the Creator being shared with the people.
I have seen our brothers and sisters dying on the concrete, on the ground, on soiled mattresses, and in back alleys. I have visited them. This song is for them. It is for the common good. We must respect the Word and move away from the chaos of negativity and fleeting emotions.
Thank you, Creator. Thank you, Jesus.
Donald Alfred Morin
Saulteaux/Cree/Métis Interdisciplinary Artist
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