1 Swift flashing onward with the restless tide
We drift along, nor heeding wind, nor rain;
Far out upon life’s ocean wild, and wide,
We linger, and at last the harbor gain.

Refrain:
As ever flow the waters to the sea,
Thro’ sunlit days, and dreary gloom of night:
So are we surely coming unto Thee,
Where darkness shall be turned to endless light.

2 Yet true as rivers travel from their source,
Or shadows from the sunlight ever flee,
As stars traverse the heavens in their course,
So do we ever follow unto Thee. [Refrain]

3 Sometimes the path is tedious, drear and long,
And hearts aweary falter by the way;
Sometimes a minor chord sounds thro’ the song,
And winds blow chill, and clouds are dull and gray. [Refrain]

4 Thus one by one the days glide into years,
And year by year we closer come to Thee,
Thro’ sunshine and thro’ rain, thro’ smiles and tears,
As ever flow the waters to the sea. [Refrain]