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The Lake of a Thousand Isles

The Lake of a Thousand Isles

by Evan MacColl (1808 – 1898)

(For Music.)

Though Missouri's tide may majestic glide,
     There's a curse on the soil it laves;
The Ohio, too, may be fair, but who
     Would sojourn in the land of slaves?
Be my prouder lot a Canadian cot
     And the bread of a freeman's toils;
Then hurrah for the land of the forests grand,
     And the Lake of the Thousand Isles!

I would seek no wealth, at the cost of health,
     'Mid the city's din and strife;
More I love the grace of fair nature's face,
     And the calm of a woodland life;
I would shun the road by ambition trod,
     And the lore which the heart defiles;—
Then hurrah for the land of the forests grand,
     And the Lake of the Thousand Isles!

O away, away! I would gladly stray
     Where the freedom I love is found;
Where the pine and oak by the woodman's stroke
     Are disturbed in their ancient bound;
Where the gladsome swain reaps the golden grain,
     And the trout from the stream beguiles;
Then hurrah for the land of the forests grand,
     And the Lake of the Thousand Isles.

About this Poem

Cover of The English Poetical Works of Evan MacColl

This poem is from The English Poetical Works of Evan MacColl, With a Biographical Sketch of the Author by A. Mackenzie (1883).  KFPL owns copies of the 2nd (1885) and 4th (1888) Canadian editions; both editions are in Storage in Special Collections. Digital copies of the 4th edition are available in a number of formats on the Internet Archive. 

About the Poetry Blackboard

The Poetry Blackboard showcases poems curated by Kingston's Poet Laureate and written by Kingston poets. There's a new poem every month, written by poets living and dead, historical and contemporary, published and unpublished, adults and children, giving full range to the cultural voice of Kingston. Started in 2015 by Helen Humphreys, the Poetry Blackboard has been continued since 2019 by Jason Heroux.

We wish to thank Helen Humphreys, Kingston's second Poet Laureate, for her generous support of emerging and established poets in Kingston through library programming and our Poetry Blackboard project. Throughout her four years as Poet Laureate, Helen curated a digital collection of poetry to showcase the talents of local creators of all ages, both historic and contemporary. Helen also offered several opportunities for emerging poets to develop their craft, offering group workshops and one-on-one mentorship. Her active engagement with the library and community has been greatly appreciated.

In 2019 we welcomed the incoming Poet Laureate, Jason Heroux, who continues to curate the Poetry Blackboard and to develop new community programming.

Previously Published Poems