I think Tom was a common man with a super patriotism for his country. His life from birth was tough-he 'slogged' his way through, never forgetting what a blessing it was, despite those hardships to be a Canadian. He truly wore his heart on his sleeve. He breathed and lived that thankfulness every day and in every lyric.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment...he_legend.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa...-tom-obit.html