and rides the billows wild and free
Than to be the ship that always fails
to leave its port and go to sea,
I'd rather feel the sting of strife,
where gales are born and tempests roar
than to settle down to useless life
and rot in dry dock on the shore,
I'd rather fight some mighty wave
with honor and supreme command
and fill at last a well-earned grave,
than to die in ease upon the sand.
I'd rather drive where sea storms blow,
and be the ship that always failed
to make the ports where it would go,
than to be the ship that never sailed.
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who biddest the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Trinity of love and power!
Our family shield in dangers hour
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect us wheresoever we go
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
~~author unknown
