Sacred Songs No. 1 ‎#155

155. The Ship of Temperance

1 Take courage, temp’rance workers!
You shall not suffer wreck,
While up to God the people’s prayers
Are ringing from your deck;
Wait cheerily, ye workers,
For daylight and for land,
The breath of God is in your sails,
Your rudder in His hands.

Refrain:
Sail on O ship of hope!
Sail on for truth and right;
The breath of God is in your sails,
The haven is in sight!
The breath of God is in your sails,
The haven is in sight!

2 Sail on, sail on! Deep freighted
With blessings and with hopes;
The good of old, with shadowy hands,
Are pulling at your ropes:
Behind you, holy martyrs
Uplift the palm and crown;
Before you, unborn ages send
Their benedictions down. [Refrain]

3 Speed on! Your work is holy,
God’s errands never fail!
Sweep on through storm and darkness wild,
The thunder and the hail;
Toil on, the morning cometh,
The port you yet shall win!
And all the bells of God shall ring
The “Ship of Temp’rance” in! [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: Take courage, temperance workers
• Title: The Ship of Temperance
• Author: John G. Whittier
• Refrain First Line: Sail on, O ship of hope
• Publication Date: 1896
• Topic: Temperance
• Notes: Public Domain.

Tune Information

• Name: [Take courage, temperance workers]
• Composer: Ira D. Sankey
• Notes: Public Domain.