Song Description

Celtic reflection on people who emigrated to Cape Breton from Scotland - poignant reminder of heritage, loss, regret and really - awfully nostalgic for anyone with roots in this part of North America

Lyrics

Far, far away
© 2005 Bruce Mills (ASCAP)
Performed by Paula Danyluk and Kevin McDonald

Far, far away
Up from the grey Atlantic rises
Cape Breton Isle
Her highlands in the clouds
Long, long ago
He landed here in Sydney Harbour
Leaving his Lass in Scotland all alone

Far, far away
His Lassie's calling out for him
She's singing a song as sweet as any dawn
Long, long ago
He swore to her with all his heart
He'd send a ship for her
When at last he settled down

Oh, he works down in the mines
Those old, black pits of coal
He never sees the light
The darkness fills his soul
But when at night he sleeps
It very nearly seems
He's holding her again
If only in his dreams

Far, far away
His Lassie's there - she longs for him
Watching for his ship - pretty ribbons in her hair
Long, long ago
His Lassie gave her heart to him
Her love so pure and true
Beyond the ocean blue

Break

Far, far away
The Gaelic breezes softly blow
His Lassie's on the shore - she's waiting for him there
Long, long ago
They danced upon their wedding day
High up in the hills
Above the moors so far away

Oh, she holds him in her heart
He's travelled off so very far
He's coming back for her some day
She's waiting for him there -
He's building her a castle
They'll dance again - he'll hold her near
Their ship is coming any day
And soon they'll sail away

Far, far away
Up from the grey Atlantic rises
Cape Breton Isle
Her highlands in the clouds
Long, long ago
He sailed out from the Sydney Harbour
Back to his Lass, his Scotland and his home

Far, far away, he found his Lassie waiting there
Her eyes sparkled bright like the silver in her hair
Never again will he leave his bonnie Lassie lonely
Never again will he go across the sea