The Island Lyrics - Celtic Folk

The Island 

Over an Ocean, and Over a Sea 

Beyond these great waters, what do I see? 

Well... I see the great mountains that climb from the coast, 

The Hills of Cape Breton, this new home of mine. 

O we come from the countries, all over the world 

To hack at the forests, to plough the lands down. 

Fishermen, farmers, and sailors all come, 

To clear for the future, this pioneer ground. 

Chorus: 

We are an Island, a Rock in a stream 

We are a People, as proud as there's been 

In soft summer breeze, or in wild winter winds 

The home of our hearts, Cape Breton... 

Over the rooftops and over the trees 

Within these new townships, O what do I see? 

I see the black pit heads, the coal wheels are turning 

The smoke stacks are belching and the blast furnace burning. 

O and the sweat on the back is no joy to behold 

In the heat of the Steel Plant or mining the Coal. 

And the foreign owned companies force us to fight 

For our survival, and for out rights. 

cho. 

Over the highways and over the roads 

Over the causeway, stories are told. 

They tell of the coming and the going away 

Cities of America draw me away. 

O and the companies come, and the companies go 

And the ways of the World we may never know. 

We'll follow the footsteps of those on their way, 

and still ask for the right to leave or to stay. 

cho.