When the Tide Is Low

1 Some time at eve when the tide is low
I shall slip my mooring and sail away,
With no response to the friendly hail
Of the kindred craft in the busy bay.
In the silent hush of the twilight pale,
When the night stoops down to embrace the day,
Some time at ever when the tide is low
I shall slip my mooring and sail away.

2 Tho’ purple shadows that darkly trail
O’er the ebbing tide of the Unknown Sea,
I shall fare me away with the dip of sail
And the ripple of waters to tell the tale
Of a lonely voyages, sailing away
To Mystic Isles, where at anchor lay
The craft of those who have sailed before
O’er the Unknown Sea to the Unseen Shore.

3 A few who saw me sail away
Will miss my craft from the busy bay;
Some loving souls that my heart held dear
In silent sorrow will drop a tear;
But I shall have peacefully furled my sail
In moorings sheltered from the storm or gale
And found the friends who have sailed before
O’er the Unknown Sea to the Unseen Shore.

Source: Exalted Praise: a twentieth century collection of sacred hymns for the church, Sunday school, and devotional meetings #96

• MIDI file from Exalted Praise: a twentieth century collection of sacred hymns for the church, Sunday school, and devotional meetings #96