50 Mission Cap

by

The Tragically Hip

Album: Fully Completely      Released: 1993

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This song is about Bill Barilko, a hockey player whose final goal won the Toronto Maple Leafs the Stanley Cup. Four months and 5 days after he scored the winning goal to clinch Toronto's seventh Stanley Cup, Barilko boarded a Fairchild 24, single-engine plane piloted by his friend Henry Hudson. He was returning home to Timmins from a fishing trip on James Bay. The plane vanished between Rupert House and Timmins. No trace of Hudson, Barilko or the Fairchild was discovered for 11 years, despite massive search efforts. The Maple Leafs were so distraught and unwilling to accept the tragedy that Barilko's equipment remained in his usual locker room stall at the opening of the 1951 fall training camp. Rumors began circulating that Barilko, of Russian decent, had defected to the Soviet Union to teach his skills to young Soviet players. Finally on June 9, 1962, bush pilot Gary Fields came upon the wreck of a Fairchild 24, approximately 100 kilometers north of Cochrane, Ontario. Barilko was finally laid to rest in Timmins; the year that the Leafs won their first Stanley Cup since his disappearance 11 years earlier.

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Comments:

Wow. The Hip rock. Great tune. Barilko was a defensive defenseman who didn't score many goals so this one is especially phenomenal. Leafs suck.
- Patrice, ERRORA, OK

My dad is obsessed with Tragicly Hip, and I had no idea who they were until I had to do a song report about a song recorded before I was born. My dad suggested 50 Mission Cap, and I loved it! I personaly support the Montreal Canadains, but I still think this song is really cool.
- Storm, Maple Ridge, Canada

Well, let me tell you....I'm from Alberta as well, Red Deer, SMACK dab between Calgary and Edmonton and let me tell you, there ain't NOTHING in Alberta in the way of NHL teams!! No WONDER Ryan Smyth defected to Buffalo!!!
- Chris, Red Deer, United States

what kind of self-respecting Edmontonian likes the Canadiens? that poor bastard should receive 1000 lashes and 4 hail marys. Great Song even though I hate the Leafs!
- Brent, Coquitlam, Canada

shows why the Hip are probably Canada's greatest recent band, for this song and Fireworks
- nathan, from the country of, Canada

this song sends chills down my spine even though im a canadiens fan. lol.
- chris, edmonton, Canada

Up to Here is the album that gave The Hip their break ... It's still one of my faves ... They rocked at Magnetic Hill Sept 05 !!!
- Barry, Gagetown NB Canada

I have to agree with you Ashley, Fully & Completely rocks, the best by far. Up to Here was great, but Fully & Completely is my fav. Groovy songs, with groovy lyrics and groovy meaning. Love them.
- Starry, Powell River, BC, Canada

DOn't forget the importance of the 50 Mission Cap. It was a leather hat given to WWII Pilots upon completing 50 missions. Once they recieved it they beat the hell out of it, worked it in to look old so that it looked like they were much more experienced.
- Ed, Hamilton, Canada

Fully Completely is one of my favourite albums from my favourite band and this song is a really great one.
- Ashley, Moncton, Canada

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