Farewell to Nova Scotia

The “national song” of Nova Scotia, Canada.  Made popular by the singing of Tommy Makem, the Irish Rovers, and others of that genre.

Chorus:
Farewell to Nova Scotia, the sea-bound coast,
may your mountains dark and dreary be.
For when I am far away on the briny ocean tossed,
Will you ever heave a sigh or a wish for me?

The sun was setting in the west,
The birds were singing on every tree.
All nature seemed inclined to rest
But still there was no rest for me.             Chorus

I grieve to leave my native land,
I grieve to leave my comrades all,
And my aging parents whom I’ve always loved so dear,
And the bonnie, bonnie lassie that I do adore.                Chorus

I have three brothers and they are at rest,
Their arms are folded on their chest.
But a poor simple sailor just like me,
Must be tossed and turned in the deep dark sea.         Chorus

The drums they do beat and the wars to alarm,
The captain calls and we must obey.
So farewell to Nova Scotia and all of its charms,
For it’s early in the morning I’ll be far, far away.           Chorus