Monterey Bay


Beneath the sapphire sky so wide,
Where ocean whispers meet the tide,
Monterey Bay, your grace unfolds,
A tale of time, of stories old. 
Oh, Monterey, your waves do call,
From ancient days to modern thrall,
Through sun and storm, your heart stays true,
Monterey Bay, we sing to you. 
Ohlone walked your sacred shore,
With acorn, deer, and woven lore.
Then Cabrillo sailed in ’42,
Named you for pines, his fleeting view. 
Oh, Monterey, your waves do call,
From ancient days to modern thrall,
Through sun and storm, your heart stays true,
Monterey Bay, we sing to you. 
Spanish bells in 1770 rang,
Serra’s mission, the cross they sang.
Portolá claimed your golden land,
A port for dreams by the sea’s soft hand. 
Mexico’s flag in ’21 flew,
Ranchos bloomed where the cattle grew.
But the Bear Flag rose in ’46,
Yankee dreams brought new politics. 
Oh, Monterey, your waves do call,
From ancient days to modern thrall,
Through sun and storm, your heart stays true,
Monterey Bay, we sing to you. 
Sardines flashed in a silver stream,
Cannery Row lived the toiler’s dream.
Steinbeck’s pen caught the heart and strife,
Of gritty souls and the coastal life. 
The fish were gone, the canneries stilled,
Yet hope arose, with new dreams filled.
In ’84, the aquarium gleamed,
Where otters dance and knowledge streams. 
Oh, Monterey, your waves do call,
From ancient days to modern thrall,
Through sun and storm, your heart stays true,
Monterey Bay, we sing to you. 
Now whales breach where tall ships sailed,
Kelp forests sway, their secrets veiled.
From cliffs that rise to tides that play,
Your spirit lives, Monterey Bay. 
Oh, Monterey, your waves do call,
From ancient days to modern thrall,
Through sun and storm, your heart stays true,
Monterey Bay, we sing to you. 
So lift your voice where the wild waves roar,
Monterey Bay,