The Old Ship of Zion

I was drifting away on life's pitiless sea

Author: Mary J. Cartwright
Tune: [I was drifting away on life's pitiless sea]
Published in 23 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1. I was drifting away on life’s pitiless sea,
And the angry waves threatened my ruin to be,
When away at my side, there I dimly descried,
A stately old vessel, and loudly I cried:
Ship ahoy! Ship ahoy!
And loudly I cried: Ship ahoy!

2. ’Twas the old ship of Zion, thus sailing along,
All aboard her seemed joyous, I heard their sweet song;
And the captain’s kind ear, ever ready to hear,
Caught my wail of distress, as I cried out in fear:
Ship ahoy! Ship ahoy!
As I cried out in fear: Ship ahoy!

3. The good captain commanded a boat to be low’red,
And with tender compassion He took me on board;
And I’m happy today, all my sins washed away
In the blood of my Savior, and now I can say:
Bless the Lord! Bless the Lord!
From my soul I can say: Bless the Lord!

4. O soul, sinking down ’neath sin’s merciless wave,
The strong arm of our captain is mighty to save;
Then trust Him today, no longer delay,
Board the old ship of Zion, and shout on your way:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout and sing on your way: Jesus saves!

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #5068

Author: Mary J. Cartwright

Late 19th Century Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: I was drifting away on life's pitiless sea
Title: The Old Ship of Zion
Author: Mary J. Cartwright
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #5068
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)

Instances

Instances (1 - 23 of 23)
Page Scan

Alexander's New Revival Hymns #124

Page Scan

Celestial Songs #430

Cliff Barrows Old Favorites #d25

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Favorites Number 1 #59

Page Scan

Hymns of Faith and Praise #84

My Favorite Gospel Solos and Duets #d8

New Songs of Inspiration Book Five #d79

New Songs of Inspiration No. 4 #d84

Norman Clayton's Favorites No. 1 #d30

Pinebrook Victory Songs #d27

Page Scan

Redemption Songs #159

Page Scan

Revival Hymns #122

Ronnie Avalone's Solos #d9

Page Scan

Soul-stirring Songs and Hymns (Rev. ed.) #473

Tabernacle Choir #d22

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #5068

Page Scan

The Gospel Hymn Book #162

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The Gospel Pilot Hymnal #140

The Ideal Song and Hymn Book #132

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The Tabernacle Hymns #196

AudioPage Scan

The Voice of Thanksgiving #132

Page Scan

The Voice of Thanksgiving No. 2 #132

V.B.S. Sailing Songs #d5

Exclude 21 pre-1979 instances
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