PIER 21

written and performed by Lennie Gallant, Connie Kaldor, James Keelaghan and Michelle Campagne;

additional music by Asif Illyas;

arranged by Lennie Gallant, Asif Illyas, Adam Dowling, Shehab Illyas and Christopher Church

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Then the fog was lifting

As the ship came to shore

She leaned to the port side

As they pressed to see more

With eyes full of hope

Holding back tears

Eyes that told tales of war

Mother cried when I told her

She said, "Oh my dear,

You married that soldier,

He'll be leaving in a year"

Now I cross the sea

But my heart's ahead of me

It waits with the man on the Pier

Oh Canada

Behind these dockyard walls

There's freedom to dream

Beyond the wire and the stalls

Here, on this day,

A new life has begun,

As we first set foot

On Pier 21

I've seen them arrive here

All nervous and worn

Like they had found calm

In the eye of the storm

Orphans and refugees

Seeking a home

Healing for hearts that are torn

Immigrants de partout

Royauté, réfugiés

Épouses et prisonniers de guerre

Enfants évacués

Chacun son histoire

Sa destinée

Ils sont tous passés par le quai

Oh Canada

Behind these dockyard walls

There's freedom to dream

Beyond the wire and the stalls

Here, on this day,

A new life has begun,

As we first set foot

On Pier 21

Can you hear the sounds of the ghosts of the soldiers

Who march in their boots all shiny and black?

These boards were the last touch of home for the boys

Who left here to fight and never came back

Now as we gather,

The children of those

Who passed through these doors

Whose courage we owe

They left us their stories

Left us their songs

Roots that are steady and strong

Oh Canada

Behind these dockyard walls

There's freedom to dream

Beyond the wire and the stalls

Here, on this day,

A new life has begun,

As we first set foot

On Pier 21

Oh Canada

Behind these dockyard walls

There's freedom to dream

Beyond the wire and the stalls

Here, on this day,

A new life has begun,

As we first set foot

On Pier 21

from Pier 21 tribute CD

©1999 Lennie Gallant, Connie Kaldor, James Keelaghan, Michelle Campagne, Asif Illyas (SOCAN)

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