sailed.
57
Sailed
How oft this word arrests the eye,
But carelessly we pass it by,
For little dream we, you and I,
But carelessly we pass it by,
For little dream we, you and I,
How many cheeks and lips have paled,
How many hearts have well nigh failed,
At parting when the vessel sailed.
How many hearts have well nigh failed,
At parting when the vessel sailed.
We watch the stately ships sail past,
The sailors busy by the mast,
And we forget that some have claspt
The sailors busy by the mast,
And we forget that some have claspt
Their dear ones in a sad farewell.
Maybe the mother Jack loves well,
Or wife, or child; and none can tell
Maybe the mother Jack loves well,
Or wife, or child; and none can tell
If e'er again their hands may meet,
If e'er again, adown the street,
Be heard the coming of his feet.
If e'er again, adown the street,
Be heard the coming of his feet.
Our 'prentice lads sailed yesterday,
Bound for a land far, far away.
To-night I heard wee Mary say
Bound for a land far, far away.
To-night I heard wee Mary say
Her prayers, and then, unbidden, she
Knelt down again to add this plea:
"Please keep dear Joe safe on the sea."
Knelt down again to add this plea:
"Please keep dear Joe safe on the sea."
Lord, hear the little prattler's plea,
And, whether upon land or sea,
Their Captain and their Pilot be!
And, whether upon land or sea,
Their Captain and their Pilot be!
From dangers that beset the way,
Guard them, O Father! and not they
Alone, but all who've sailed to-day.
Guard them, O Father! and not they
Alone, but all who've sailed to-day.
