Ode to Kotzebue

Shortly after we'd gotten home from our Arctic Adventure, I was just doing dishes and found myself singing an impromptu song about Kotzebue. I was just kind of making it up as I went along, so I decided to write it down and extend it to capture our Kotzebue experience!

Oh, Kotzebue!

(sung to the tune of "O, Tannenbaum," which is "Oh, Christmas Tree" for you English-speakers out there)

Oh, Kotzebue, oh, Kotzebue,

There’s no place that’s quite like you.

The tundra may not have real trees,

But who needs these with blueberries?

Oh, Kotzebue, oh, Kotzebue,

She made this Kuspuk just for you.

Oh, Kotzebue, oh, Kotzebue,

They say no roads connect to you.

With boats and planes and snow machines

And don’t forget your sled dog teams

You get to where you need to go,

No matter how deep is the snow.

Oh, Kotzebue, oh, Kotzebue,

There’s no place that’s quite like you.

In villages the Inupiaq

Eat caribou and meat that’s black.

Oh, Kotzebue, oh, Kotzebue,

Muktuk and fish are snack foods, too.

Oh, Kotzebue, oh, Kotzebue,

Yes Arctic is the name for you.

You’re not just white in winter moons.

No, icy snow lasts up through June.

Oh, Kotzebue, oh, Kotzebue,

The frozen ocean is your view.