Verse 1 – The Call We left our gold in Jerusalem’s dust, Heave ho, for the promised land. We carried our tents and the God of our trust, Heave ho, for the promised land. Father saw fire and the city’s fall, We followed his voice and the Lord’s soft call, Now here by the sea we will give our all, Heave ho, for the promised land. Chorus So heave away, brothers, swing that hand, Heave ho, for the promised land. If God gives the word then we know we can, Heave ho, for the promised land. From desert dust to the ocean’s span, Heave ho, for the promised land. By His mighty word we will cross this strand, Heave ho, for the promised land. Verse 2 – The Tools and the Murmuring I melted the ore from the mountain side, Heave ho, for the promised land. Forged iron and faith in the Lord who guides, Heave ho, for the promised land. “My brother’s a fool,” Laman laughed out loud, “They’ll drown with their dreams in a storm-tossed cloud.” But the Lord is our captain, not fear nor crowd, Heave ho, for the promised land. Verse 3 – Work Song of the Family We lifted the ribs of the ship in place, Heave ho, for the promised land. Salt on our brows and the sun in our face, Heave ho, for the promised land. Our women with babies upon their knees, Kept fires and water and stitched our sleeves, While children sang time to the shaping trees, Heave ho, for the promised land. Chorus So heave away, brothers, swing that hand, Heave ho, for the promised land. If God gives the word then we know we can, Heave ho, for the promised land. From desert dust to the ocean’s span, Heave ho, for the promised land. By His mighty word we will cross this strand, Heave ho, for the promised land. Verse 4 – Nephi’s Stand “Did Moses not walk through the Red Sea floor?” Heave ho, for the promised land. “The Lord split the waves and He’ll guide us more,” Heave ho, for the promised land. “If He told me, ‘Speak, let this water be earth,’ It would rise at once at His holy word. So why should we doubt when His voice is heard?” Heave ho, for the promised land. Verse 5 – Launching the Ship We shoved that keel through the sand and foam, Heave ho, for the promised land. The wind caught the sail like a voice from home, Heave ho, for the promised land. Father raised hands as the shoreline slipped, Mother wiped tears as the camp grew small, We shouted our hymns from the newborn ship, Heave ho, for the promised land. Chorus So heave away, brothers, set that span, Heave ho, for the promised land. The Lord goes before in the course He’s planned, Heave ho, for the promised land. When the compass points by His own hand, Heave ho, for the promised land. Every wave we ride is a promised stand, Heave ho, for the promised land. Verse 6 – Storm and Calm The music grew proud, and our hearts grew light, Heave ho, for the promised land. We danced on the deck and forgot His might, Heave ho, for the promised land. The thunder replied with a tearing roar, The chains on our brother were all we saw, Till mercy and prayer stilled the ocean’s jaw, Heave ho, for the promised land. Verse 7 – Guided Again He loosed his hands and he took the wheel, Heave ho, for the promised land. The winds bowed low and the waves would kneel, Heave ho, for the promised land. The compass turned where his faith desired, Our fear burned out and our hope caught fire, And heaven drew near as the storm retired, Heave ho, for the promised land. Chorus So heave away, brothers, trust His hand, Heave ho, for the promised land. He delivered our fathers on desert sand, Heave ho, for the promised land. From Egypt’s chains to this ocean span, Heave ho, for the promised land. By His matchless power He will lead our clan, Heave ho, for the promised land. Verse 8 – Landfall After many days on the endless blue, Heave ho, for the promised land. The hills broke the fog and the forests grew, Heave ho, for the promised land. We kissed the shore with our weary feet, Pitched tents where the wind smelled of fruit and wheat, And sang to the God who had brought us peace, Heave ho, in the promised land. Tag Chorus – Final Refrain So heave no more, brothers, touch that sand, Heave ho, in the promised land. The Lord is our God and we know His hand, Heave ho, in the promised land. From plates and tents to this fertile strand, Heave ho, in the promised land. By His holy word He has brought our band, Safe home to the promised land.
