I remember some variant lyrics sung at the opening ceremonies of the Canada Winter Games in Sydney in 1987... lyrics that took the edge off the company/industry theme in some verses. Examples...

Over the rooftops and over the trees
Over communities what do I see?
Well, I see the families, the young and the old
Their doorways are open, their stories are told.

The tides may come, they ebb and they flow
And the ways of the world we may never know
So just follow the footsteps of those on their way
As they struggle to leave and struggle to stay.

This song reminds me that I had a videotape of those opening ceremonies, but I literally wore it out. A memorable performance, it was! Lots of pipes and drums, of course, but also some wonderful choral work (including this song) and superb dancing by La Baie en Joie, an Acadian dance troup.

There was another dance group whose name I now forget. They performed a haunting routine they titled 'The Hebridian Maids'. The young women were all dressed in hooded capes and carried lanterns. The stage was dark and foggy, and they danced and swirled to the tune The Dark Island in slow and quick waltz time. Absolutely stunning presentation!