"Downeast Maine, Forever Strong©"
Lyrics by M. S. McKenzie | Performed by American Storyteller Music, Protected by Copyright




~ Associated State Links ~
State of ME Home Page | State of ME Gallery Page
"Downeast Strong"
[Intro]
Where first dawn breaks upon a rocky shore
And scores of gulls cry out while the seas roar
[Verse 1]
From Roque Bluffs to Jonesport's old docks
The salty air clings to ancient granite rocks
In Lubec where Mulholland Light still shines
While morning rises through fishermen's lines
At Quoddy Head the fog rolls all cold and gray
But boats still push out before the break of day
[Chorus]
Downeast Maine, your heart is tough and true
With hands worn raw, and skies an honest blue
Through storm and struggle, your spirit carries on
Where the cold North Atlantic meets the first dawn
Passing beaches and cliffs is an average day's drive
On the edge is where the nation's heartiest people thrive
[Verse 2]
Lobstermen haul with cracked and weathered hands
Braving seas no landlubber could ever understand
Loggers cut deep where the black spruce grow
And lumber trucks brave the heavy winter snow
Tribes of Passamaquoddy still sing their songs
Holding their place where the river runs strong
[Chorus]
Downeast Maine, your heart is tough and true
With hands worn raw, under earnest skies of blue
Through storm and struggle, your spirit carries on
Where the cold North Atlantic meets the first dawn
Passing beaches and cliffs is an average day's drive
On the edge is where the nation's heartiest people thrive
[Bridge]
The Narraguagus River rushes wild and free
While Bar Harbor's lights play upon the sea
Mark Island light shines through the pines at night
As we hug the coastal trail, till the morning light
[Verse 3]
From Ellsworth's streets to Eastport's weathered piers
The shoreline's carried their voices for hundreds of years
With every tide that rises and every wave that falls
Fortunes are written on these rugged stone walls
There's no easy road, but their pride runs deep
And the promise of safe passage is a hope they keep
[Chorus]
Downeast Maine, your heart is tough and true
With hands worn raw, under earnest skies of blue
Through storm and struggle, your spirit carries on
Where the cold North Atlantic meets the first dawn
Passing beaches and cliffs is an average day's drive
On the edge is where the nation's heartiest people thrive
[Chorus]
Downeast Maine, your heart is tough and true
With hands worn raw, under earnest skies of blue
Through storm and struggle, your spirit carries on
Where the cold North Atlantic meets the first dawn
Passing beaches and cliffs is an average day's drive
On the edge is where the nation's heartiest people thrive
[1st Outro]
Where the first light shines upon us…
…is where we still belong
It's Downeast Maine foreverrrrrrr…
Downeast Maine foreverrr…, strong!
[2nd Outro: extended instrumental consisting of drums, fife, and bagpipe spectacular fading out to the end]
Song Description