Los Lobos - Will the Wolf Survive/It's a Matter of Time

Old Pa's Wednesday Club Survival Special

The mist suddenly lifted

LOS LOBOS -  Will the Wolf Survive (1984)

I was watching one of these survival programmes the other night. You know the sort of thing, guys falling in to crevices or falling in to freezing water or having to eat all sorts of whitchty grub type beasts or sample bear poo just to keep alive.

It reminded me of a little episode from way back in the early sixties. I was in the Boys Brigade and was taking part in one of these survival skills type of thing. All part of contributing to making a man out of you. I was part of a larger group who spent the night under canvas. The next day myself, Davey Lobbin and two younger guys had to go away on our own, find a pre-determined spot, camp the night and the next day we would walk to a meeting point. We were given a map and instructions and it all seemed rather straightforward and we were all very excited and looking forward to it.

Davey and I were about 14 or 15 and the younger guys were probably a couple of years younger than us. When we woke up on the day of the hike, it was pouring of rain, but that did not dampen our enthusiasm.

We started the walk and after a few hours the rain still had not stopped, in fact it had increased in its intensity. We were uncomfortable, soaking wet and there was no place to take shelter. We were in the middle of the moors outside of Inverness. Which made matters worse was that a mist came down and we could hardly see in front of us never mind find a point on the map.

We persevered and stayed on the path we were on for what seemed to be an eternity. One of the younger guys was getting really distressed and started to cry. It got to the stage he just gave up. He just sat down, cried for his mother and kept saying 'Lloyd George knew my Father', why I will never know. He would just not move, we were surrounded by mist, drenched to the skin and we were all tired and hungry and very very cold.. We were all desperately scared, although Davey and I put on a brave face for the younger guys.

I ended up carrying the distressed boy's ruck sack as well as my own and we persevered for another 30min or so when the mists suddenly lifted and the rain stopped. In the distance away from the path we saw a hut.

Reaching the hut we found it was locked but with the help of my trusty Swiss Army knife we managed to get the door open by removing the door hinges. Inside there were logs, peat, matches and newspapers also some tins of food. There was a stream running close by.

In a matter of time we had a blazing fire going, our clothes were drying out and we had some hot food down us. Life again was great. But it could have been a lot different. That boy could easily have died that night of exposure. In these days there were no mobile phones.

The next day was bright and sunny.  

I choose Los Lobos 'Will the Wolf Survive' for obvious reasons, me being the Wolf of course, who protected his family!!!

I have loved Los Lobos ever since hearing the How will the Wolf Survive album. Its is a shame that they are mostly well known for La Bamba, there is so much more to them than that, As for David Hidalgo's voice, well it is to die for.

Here is another brilliant track from the Wolf  album.

LOS LOBOS - A Matter of Time (1984)