Settled on an island beach with you and me.
The time has come, she said, to strike out on your own:
A mother knows when baby birds are grown.

Far across the sea of shadows lies a promised land.
The way is hard, but you can make it if you try.
Give us a kiss and say goodbye.
I love you, yes, but if you stay with me, you'll die
Someday you'll know the reason why.

Just when all hope is lost, you'll find a place to land:
Build a cozy nest and learn to understand.
You'll watch your babies growing older day-by-day
And when the time is right
you'll send them on their way, saying:

Far across the sea of shadows lies a promised land.
The way is hard, but you can make it if you try.
Give us a kiss and say goodbye.
I love you, yes, but if you stay with me, you'll die
Someday you'll know the reason why.

A great white swan in flight above a steaming sea

Rises through the mist into eternity.
The time has come, she says, at last my work is done
I hear a voice that spoke when I was young, saying:

Far across the sea of shadows lies a promised land.
The way is hard, but you can make it if you try.
Give us a kiss and say goodbye.
I love you, yes, but if you stay with me, you'll die
Someday you'll know the reason why.