island in the sun

this is my island in the sun

where my people have

toiled since time begun

i may sail on many a sea

her shores will always be home to me

oh island in the sun

built to me by my father's hand

all my days i will sing in praise

of your forest waters

your shining sand

as morning breaks

the heaven on high

i lift my heavy load to the sky

sun comes down with a burning glow

mingles my sweat with the earthly low

oh island in the sun

built to me by my father's hand

all my days i will sing in praise

of your forest waters

your shining sand

i see woman on bended knee

cutting cane for her family

i see man at the water-side

casting nets at the surfing tide

oh island in the sun

built to me by my father's hand

all my days i will sing in praise

of your forest waters

your shining sand

i hope the day will never come

that i can't awake to

the sound of drum

never let me miss carnaval

with calypso songs

philosophical. oh island in the sun

built to me by my father's hand

all my days i will sing in praise

of your forest waters

your shining sand