The Canadians on the Nile

O, THE East is but the West, with the sun a little hotter ;
And the pine becomes a palm, by the dark Egyptian water :
And the Nile's like many a stream we know, that fills its brimming cup,
We'll think it is the Ottawa, as we track the batteaux up !
Pull, pull, pull ! as we track the batteaux up !
It's easy shooting homeward, when we're at the top !

O, the cedar and the spruce, line each dark Canadian river ;
But the thirsty date is here, where the sultry sunbeams quiver ;
And the mocking mirage spreads its view, afar on either hand;
But strong we bend the sturdy oar, towards the Southern land!
Pull, pull, pull ! as we track the batteaux up !
It's easy shooting homeward, when we're at the top !

O, we've tracked the Rapids up, and o'er many a portage crossing ;
And it's often such we've seen, though so loud the waves are tossing ! .
Then, it's homeward when the run is o'er ! o'er stream, and ocean deep —
To bring the memory of the Nile, where the maple shadows sleep !
Pull, pull, pull ! as we track the batteaux up !
It's easy shooting homeward, when we're at the top !

And it yet may come to pass, that the hearts and hands so ready
May be sought again to help, when some poise is off the steady !
And the Maple and the Pine be matched, with British Oak the while,
As once beneath Egyptian suns, the Canadians on the Nile!
Pull, pull, pull ! as we track the batteaux up !
It's easy shooting homeward, when we're at the top !