(H. Belafonte, Burgess)
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
