Twentieth (20th) Century Songs Part One ‎#106

106. The Lost Ship

From a vessel in mid-ocean,
Came the signal cannon’s boom;
All on board of here were trembling
With the thought of certain doom;
All on board were place with terror—
Must they perish, thus, tonight,
Leaving not a trace behind them,
For their loved ones’ loving sight?

No, they need not sadly perish,
Far away from any shore,
For a ship had heard the signal,
And across the waters bore;
Thro’ her trumpet came the message,
“Ship, ahoy, there! what is wrong?”
“Ship is leaking” was the answer;
“We must surely sink ere long.”

“Send us all you have aboard you,”
Spoke the voice from far away;
“We will have you safe from danger
Long before the break of day.”
Then the captain of the vessel,
From his lookout at the prow,
Sent the message thro’ the darkness,
“We shall need you, but not now;

“We are safe, Lie by till morning,
You can save us better then.”
But his words sent doubt and terror
Thro’ the heart-throbs of his men.
Once again the call was given:
“Better let us save tonight?”
And again the captain answered,
“Ship, ahoy! lie by till light.”

Morning dawn’d, the ship had settled
To the bottom of the deep;
All on board of her were sleeping
In their long and latest sleep.
Nevermore will trumpet rouse them
Till the final trumpet call,
Bids the sea give up its sleepers
To the Maker of us all.

Soul, be warn’d! A Savior calls you
Thro’ the trumpet of His word;
Will you wait a better season,
While that welcoming voice is heard?
Heaven’s rescue ship will bear you
Homeward to your native shore;
Seek it, lest the judgment morning
Find you lost forevermore.

Text Information

• First Line: From a vessel in mid-ocean
• Title: The Lost Ship
• Author: Jessie H. Brown
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1900

Tune Information

• Name: [From a vessel in mid-ocean]
• Composer: J. E. Hawes