The Legend of Turtle Island

Nanabush stood by the shore Eyes on the deep Whispered to the waters Secrets to keep "O creatures of the waves Heed my plea Dive to the depths And bring back the sea."

[Verse 2] First came the loon With feathers so slick Plunged through the cold So steady and quick But the depths were too dark Too silent Too vast Empty he returned His strength didn't last

[Chorus] From the deeps A tale of the old Search for the soil In waters so cold Turtle Muskrat They answered the call To save the world Or see it all fall

[Verse 3] Then turtle took heart Shell heavy and strong Sank to the bottom Stayed down so long But too great was the pressure The darkness so tight Returned empty-handed Into the moonlight

[Verse 4] Muskrat So small Paddled ahead Hopes hung on tiny paws Without dread Down to the bottom Through water Through sand Clutched the dark soil In a triumphant hand

[Bridge] Nanabush received it The soil from the deep Cradled the seeds Planted dreams he'd keep From humble muskrat A new earth was born Creation anew In the light of the morn