Harbour Grace

This Town set by the Sea,
Bejewelled by sparkling ponds and lakes.
Strong Men came and settled here,
Captains, Sailors and Fishermen,
Merchants, learned men and ladies fair.
Ships and sails once filled a perfect harbour,
A loving link they kept, the old world with the new,
And loyalities were strong.

The land was cleared by willing hands,
Stones were placed to form a wall and so enclose a field,
Walls that stood firm through wind and weather,
Without cement or mortar to hold them together.
Stately and humble homes were built of stone and wood,
Families were brought up in love and fear of God,
Trees were planted, vegetables and some flowers,
Voices were raised in song, and tales were told in evening hours.

Here wife, sweethearts, sister and mother,
Watched the disappearing sails,
Bearing away husband, son, or brother.
And some who sailed beyond the bar,
And rest on a foreign shore.
And many rest beneath the sea and return to home no more,
No loved ones near to shed a tear,
Or breathe a parting prayer.

You have been the home of tragedy,
And fires that burned your very heart,
Bravely you rose and lived again and made another start.
Sparkling harbour in the sun, wild beauty in the storm,
They came and settled this lovely place,
And rightly named it "Harbour Grace."


"Author Unknown"