Poems Sigourney 1834/Sailor's Hymn
SAILOR'S HYMN.
When the parting bosom bleeds,
When our native shore recedes,
When the wild and faithless main
Takes us to her trust again,
Father! view a sailor's woe—
Guide us wheresoe'er we go,
When the lonely watch we keep,
Silent, on the mighty deep;
While the boisterous surges hoarse
Bear us darkly on our course,
Eye that never slumbers!—shed
Holy influence on our head.
When the sabbath's peaceful ray
O'er the ocean's breast doth play,
Though no throngs assemble there,
No sweet church-bell warns to prayer,
Spirit! let thy presence be,
Sabbath to the unresting sea.
When the raging billows dark,
Thundering toss our threatened bark,
Thou, who on the whelming wave
Didst the weak disciple save—
Thou, who hear'st us when we pray,
Jesus! Saviour! be our stay.
When in foreign lands we roam,
Far from kindred and from home,
Stranger-eyes our conduct viewing,
Heathen-bands our steps pursuing,
Let our conversation be,
Fitting those who follow thee.
Should pale Death, with arrow dread,
Make the ocean-caves our bed,
Though no eye of love might see
Where that shrouded grave shall be—
Christ! who hear'st the surges roll,
Deign to save the Sailor's soul.