ACA NADA

Tradition suggests an origin for the name Canada in the two Spanish words Aca Nada, signifying "nothing here," used by the earliest navigators when disappointed in their hope of finding gold.

Long ago a band of seamen

Left behind the coast of Spain,

Drove their craft through gale and spindrift, Sailed the storm-swept, trackless main ; Sternly sought an Eldorado

Where the northern cliffs uprear,

Fondly hailing Hope's bright vision

Gold the only guerdon dear . . Reckless flung a tropic halyard, "Aca Nada 1" nothing here.

Nothing here, my Canada !

Nay, but we are wiser grown ; Stretching vast from dawn to sunset With a grandeur all thine own !