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Long,long ago as our history shows
Nearly one hundred years after Cabot came o'er
Brittannia's rule reached out over the seas
To make us her first colony
In old St. John's harbour one fine august day
Gilbert's four ships in the still waters lay
While just above King's beach possession he laid
Over Newfoundland turf for the Queen
"I've set my heart on this country so grand"
Was Gilbert's remarks 'fore he left Newfoundland
Though he never reached Plymouth to tell the good news
His last words spoke more than the truth
We are nearer to Heaven by sea
As close to perfection as an island can be
This world has it's wonders, but it seems to me
We are nearer to Heaven by sea
Poets have praised this great country with pride
From it's vast rolling prairies to the Rockies so high
And the north with it's splendour of river and trees
God's notion of freedom and peace
And off to the east where the Atlantic heaves
Our own island shores make the beauty complete
As much in our praise as that great land they beat
We are nearer to Heaven by sea
We are nearer to Heaven by sea
As close to perfection as an island can be
This world has it's wonders, but it seems to me
We are nearer to Heaven by sea