Wood-notes and Church-bells By the Rev. Richard Wilton |
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ON THE LAUNCH OF “THE BRITISH WORKMAN” LIFE-BOAT. |
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 | Wood-notes and Church-bells |  |
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ON THE LAUNCH OF “THE BRITISH WORKMAN” LIFE-BOAT.
Blue the sky, and still the ocean,
Not a shadow on its breast,
Softest murmur, gentlest motion,
Wind and water lulled to rest;
Every outward sign denoted
That the Lord His blessing gave,
When our Life-boat smoothly floated
On the bosom of the wave.
Not a shadow on its breast,
Softest murmur, gentlest motion,
Wind and water lulled to rest;
Every outward sign denoted
That the Lord His blessing gave,
When our Life-boat smoothly floated
On the bosom of the wave.
Prayer from many a voice ascending
Had been heard upon the shore;
With it far-off wishes blending
From the hearts of thousands more:
“Guard our Life-boat from the dangers
Which in storm and darkness lurk,
Bless it, Lord, to shipwrecked strangers,
Prosper Thou our handiwork!”
Had been heard upon the shore;
With it far-off wishes blending
From the hearts of thousands more:
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Which in storm and darkness lurk,
Bless it, Lord, to shipwrecked strangers,
Prosper Thou our handiwork!”
Then by noble lips was spoken
O'er the boat its chosen name;
“British Workman” be the token
Of the kindness whence it came:
While religious hands deliver,
As for royal Christening meet,
Water from the sacred river
Which once bathed those Blessèd Feet.
O'er the boat its chosen name;
“British Workman” be the token
Of the kindness whence it came:
While religious hands deliver,
As for royal Christening meet,
Water from the sacred river
Which once bathed those Blessèd Feet.
When the sky is dark and clouded,
And the fearful breakers roar,
And the sea with mist is shrouded,
And the billows beat the shore,
May our Life-boat, as a saviour,
Walk upon the stormy wave,
And with calm, sublime behaviour
Snatch the lost from watery grave.
And the fearful breakers roar,
And the sea with mist is shrouded,
And the billows beat the shore,
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Walk upon the stormy wave,
And with calm, sublime behaviour
Snatch the lost from watery grave.
Oh, while Life is round us smiling,
Ocean smooth, and weather fair,
Pleasure's voice our hearts beguiling—
Let us for the storm prepare;
That when Death's dark tempest rages
We may find a refuge dear
In the appointed Ark of ages—
Safe and blest with Jesus near!
Ocean smooth, and weather fair,
Pleasure's voice our hearts beguiling—
Let us for the storm prepare;
That when Death's dark tempest rages
We may find a refuge dear
In the appointed Ark of ages—
Safe and blest with Jesus near!
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