Trending: Harper is a stealer of dreams, Blue Rodeo protest song says

Popular Canadian band Blue Rodeo is jumping into the federal election campaign with a modern day protest song against Conservative Leader Stephen Harper.

The song Stealin’ All My Dreams attacks the Conservatives over many different issues from their economic and environmental record to Aboriginal rights and government scandals.

“Blue Rodeo does not always speak with one voice,” singer-songwriter and guitarist Jim Cuddy says on the band’s website. “However we feel collectively that the current administration in Canada has taken us down the wrong path.”

“We do not seem to be the compassionate and environmentally conscious nation we once were. As respectful as we are of the variety of opinions held by our audience, we felt it was time to speak up and add our voice to the conversation.”

Fellow band member Greg Keelor, known for his harmonic voice and poetic songwriting, among other things, simply stated: “I didn’t want to talk about it, so I wrote a song about it.”

Both the song and video were recorded and filmed on Sept. 9, which the band says “chronicle the failings of the current government and asks the question, “Have you forgotten that you work for me?”

Watch Stealin’ All My Dreams below, or click here for a mobile-friendly version.

In the video, Keelor sings and plays guitar alongside Cuddy who lends his talent to the chorus, while criticisms of Harper appear on the screen.

“Harper refuses to launch an inquiry into the epidemic of missing First Nations women,” a statement superimposed in the video reads, with Keelor singing “Native women not a priority. Sometimes I wonder, just how you sleep,” referring to Harper.

After each stanza, Keelor and Cuddy raise their voices even further with the chorus “You’re stealin’ all my dreams.”

The video also points out claims made by Harper and his government, with rebuttals from the band in print. It also also takes aim on the Conservatives’ stance on the government’s migrant quota.

“Canada promised asylum to 20,000 refugees. To date, we have taken 2,300,” a statement reads.

The written portion of video ends with one simple word: “Vote.”

Blue Rodeo band members are not the only musicians to lend their voice to the anti-Harper movement.

Harperman (a Protest Song), penned by Tony Turner from Ottawa is more folksy in style, but with punchy lyrics.

“Who’s the king of secrecy,” Turner sings, leading to the chorus sung in unison, “Harperman, it’s time for you to go.”

Turner, an Environment Canada scientist, was placed on leave with pay after performing the song, the Toronto Star reports.

Watch Harperman below, or click here for a mobile-friendly version.

Other musicians like Leonard Cohen and Neil Young, and actors Donald Sutherland and Rachel McAdams, have signed the Leap Manifesto calling for a cleaner economy and respect for indigenous rights.

With files from Cormac MacSweeney

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