A system of canals have we
Unequalled—search the world so wide—
Connecting all our waterways
By lake and stream to ocean’s side.
They come and go, the white-winged ships,
Bearing rich burdens to and fro;
We have enough, aye and to spare;
Our hearts with gratitude do glow.
Our kine are on a thousand hills;
Our wheat and corn lands, rich and rare,
Yield golden grain abundantly;
With the whole world do we compare.
The luscious grape here is produced,
The vines are purple with its glow;
The apple, peach, and pear, and plum,
In plenty and perfection grow.
Invigorating our atmosphere—
With skies of the intensest blue—
Producing an indomitable race,
With brave, true hearts to dare and do.
Here woman is as beautiful
As e’er this great wide world hath seen,
And in her dear Canadian home
She reigns an honored queen.
Our famous schools dot o’er the land,
Free as the winds that roam our plains,
And ignorance doth flee away;
Happily, intelligence reigns.
Noble colleges and institutes
Throughout this goodly land abound;
Within the easy reach of all
Is education to be found.
Thus blest, the Canadian lifts his head,
And all things dares in manly pride,
For man to man, the wide world o’er,
He’s equal, proved and tried.
Remember it, doubting cynic,
History proves his sterling worth,
And in arms he is co-equal
With the bravest ones of earth.
And in the world’s wide, busy marts,
In science, trade, and cultured art,
In the front rank he e’er is found,
Bearing no menial second part.
Contending with the bravest there,
He holds the fierce, disputed way—
Persistence and efficiency
Are sure to win the sternest day.
Religious tolerance have we,
A people chaste by Christian love;
Thousands of church-spires point the way
To the celestial courts above.
Thus blest, we dwell in freedom’s light,
Defenders of our country’s cause,
Loving our dear Canadian homes,
Respecting and keeping her laws.
These free and fair Canadian homes
Acadia’s vales do beautify;
Her cities gleam like diadems,
Her towers mount upward to the sky.
And where New Brunswick lifts her head
In vigorous, friendly rivalry,
They shine like jewels in a crown,
An anchor to our unity.
Prince Edward’s Island by the sea
Is safely, sternly girded round,
Taught by all nature to be free;
Influenced by her voice profound
They build, secure in freedom’s light,
A fabric safe, enduring, grand,
Proud of their dear island home,
And of this fair Dominion land.
Our provinces beside the sea
Send out their ships to every land;
Alert to every enterprise,
The world’s esteem they do command.
Aye, they are known on every sea;
In every clime, and isle remote,
The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear,
Protectingly o’er them doth float.