I Cannot Drift

Life's sea ofttimes is dark and dreary

Author: James S. Hatcher
Tune: I CANNOT DRIFT
Published in 7 hymnals

Representative Text

1 Life's sea ofttimes is dark and dreary,
And maddening billows loudly roar;
Oft hope is faint, oft trust is weary,
I lose the lighthouse on the shore;
But Jesus Christ is still my pilot,
I seek His face and learn His will,
And then I hear His voice so gently:
Trust me, my child, I'm with thee still.

Refrain:
I cannot drift, I cannot drift;
His love attends me everywhere;
I cannot drift, I cannot drift,
I cannot drift beyond His care.

2 When billows wild are leaping blindly,
When sun and stars their faces hide;
My Captain pilots ever kindly,
By rock and shoals and stems the tide,
He will reward each care and sorrow,
He sails my bark my woes to share,
And when in Heaven dawns to morrow
We'll understand it was His care. [Refrain]

3 If we obey and trust Him ever,
His smiles will quiet our alarm;
If we sail on and doubt Him never,
What seems a gale will prove a calm,
And when the harbor lights burn dimly,
He bids the gates of glory lift,
And when we call He answers sweetly:
I'm at the helm, Thou canst not drift. [Refrain]


Source: African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #445

Author: James S. Hatcher

(no biographical information available about James S. Hatcher.) Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Life's sea ofttimes is dark and dreary
Title: I Cannot Drift
Author: James S. Hatcher
Language: English
Refrain First Line: I cannot drift, I cannot drift
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 2 of 2)
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African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #445

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The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal #511

Include 5 pre-1979 instances
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