Ah for just_ one_ time_
I would take_ the North_-west Passage__
To find_ the hand_ of_ Franklin
Reaching_ f or_ the Beaufort_ Sea__
Tracing one_ warm_ line_
Through a l and_ so wide_ and_ savage_ and_
Make_ a North_-west Passage_ to_ the sea__
Westward from the Davis Strait_
'Tis there was said to lie_
The sea route to the Orient_
For which so many died_
Seeking gold and glory_
Leaving weathered broken bones_ and_
A long forgotten lonely cairn of stones_
Ah for just_ one_ time_
I would take_ the North_-west Passage__
To find_ the hand_ of_ Franklin
Reaching_ for_ the Beaufort_ Sea__
Tracing one_ warm_ line_
Through a land_ so wide_ and_ savage_ and_
Make_ a North_-west Passage_ to_ the sea__
Three centuries there - after_
I take passage over land_
In the footsteps of brave Kelso_
Where his " sea of flowers" be- gan_
Watching cities rise be fore me_
Then be - hind me sink a - gain_
This tardiest ex - plorer_
Driving hard_ a - cross the plains_
Ah for just_ one_ time_
I would take_ the North_-west Passage__
To find_ the hand_ of_ Franklin
Reaching_ for_ the Beaufort_ Sea__
Tracing one_ warm_ line_
Through a land_ so wide_ and_ savage_ and_
Make_ a North_-west Passage_ to_ the sea__
And through the night be - hind the wheel_
The mileage clickin g west_
I think upon Mac - Kenzie_
David Thompson_ and the rest_
Who cracked the mountain ramparts_ and_
Did show a path for me_
To race the roaring_ Fraser _ to the sea_
Ah for just_ one_ time_
I would take_ the North_-west Passage__
To find_ the hand_ of_ Franklin
Reaching_ for_ the Beaufort_ Sea__
Tracing one_ warm_ line_
Through a land_ so wide_ and_ savage_ and_
Make_ a North_-west Passage_ to_ the sea__
How then am I so different_
From the first men through this way_
Like them_ I left a settled life_
I threw it all a - way_
To seek a Northwest Passage_
At the call of many men_
To find there_ but the road back home a - gain_
Ah for just_ one_ time_
I would take_ the North_-west Passage__
To find_ the hand_ of_ Franklin
Reaching_ for_ the Beaufort_ Sea__
Tracing one_ warm_ line_
Through a land_ so wide_ and_ savage_ and_
Make_ a North_-west Passage_ to_ the sea__
