Over an ocean and over a sea
Beyond these great waters
oh what do I see
I see the great mountains
climb from the coastline
The hills of Cape Breton
this new home of mine
Oh they come from the countries
all over the world
To hack at the forest to plow
the land down
Fishermen farmers and sailors all come
To clear for the future
this pioneer ground
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
oh what do I see
I see the black pitheads
the coal-wheels are turning
The smokestacks are belching
and the blast furnace burning
Oh 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 our rights
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 highways and over the roads
Over the causeway stories are told
They tell of the coming
and the going away
The cities of America draw me away
Ah the companies come the companies go
And the ways of the world
we may never know
We'll follow the footsteps of those
on their way
And we'll ask for the right to
leave or to stay
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
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
The home of our hearts Cape Breton