LABRADOR CITY, N.L. — The mystery queen of Labrador City may never be determined but figuring out her true identity has become more than a community challenge.
The "Queen of Labrador City" is a song by Vermont-based Maple Run Band. Trevor Crist, a band member, penned the tune after a fishing trip to Labrador in August 2017.
During his trip, Crist had time to explore the local nightlife and visited several bars.
"At one of those bars, the waitress left an impression," says Crist. "I was so impressed by the waitress. Everyone was comfortable with her, they enjoyed being there with her. She ruled the bar that night."
He says bartenders can be part therapist, part clergy, part friend, and part royalty.
The Labrador Voice asked Crist the identity of the bartender in his song, but he said prefers to leave her unnamed as the song is about the spirit of the person and how she affected the people around her.
Truth is, he really doesn't know her name — or the name of the bar she tended.
More than a few people are trying to figure out the queen's identity. Crist says he has been contacted by email and on Facebook.
"A lot of people think they know who the queen is. Some say it's their sister or the bartender at their favourite bar."
He says messages have come not just from Labrador City and Wabush but from people in other places who are probably familiar with Labrador West and may have been to some of the local bars.
The "Queen of Labrador City" is available on YouTube or on the band's website.
The video had recently been viewed 2,000 times, said Crist.
With so much interest, a live video recording made at Stowe Cider will be released soon on iTunes. The album, "The Maple Run Band" will be out in May and will carry a studio version of the song. Maple Run Band features Crist on guitar and vocals, Nicole Valcour on drums and vocals; John "Spence" Spencer on bass; and Bill Mullins, lead guitar.
Crist says Labrador West reminded him of the high plains of Western Kansas where he grew up. He says it was isolated and sometimes lonely.
He said Kansas as 'Big Sky' and Labrador, known as 'Big Land', are places where people are friendly and look out for one another.
Crist enjoyed his time in Labrador and the fishing was amazing, but he's uncertain if another visit is in the works.
"I'm not sure," he says. "It would be cool to play that song in Labrador City."
