Ireland is an island
We all know quite well
And the sadness of leaving home
Its songs and stories tell
To emigrate, to foreign shores
Throughout history
Because they are an island
Surrounded by a sea

Now we feel that sadness
Right here in Montreal
Since the referendum
Affected one and all
In almost every riding
The 'No' beat out the 'Oui'
Now we are an island
Surrounded by a sea

"No man is an island"
John Dunn said long ago
Though what he really meant by that
I will never know
But if there is a common thread
Through all humanity
It's that we are an island
Surrounded by a sea

Everybody's asking
Will you stay or will you leave
And every time we say farewell
To another friend we grieve
As one by one we become
A scattered family
From our little island
Surrounded by a sea