Poems by "Cushag"/The Sorrowful Crossing
THE SORROWFUL CROSSING.
"Yet sorrow not as those who have no hope."
O Ellan Vannin we are grieving sore,
Lost Ellan Vannin, for the souls you bore
Through that dark crossing to an unseen shore.
What was the story of that last farewell?
Nought but the ocean's voice remains to tell,
Tolling above them with its endless knell.
O sorrow, sorrow, for the ship that's lost,
O sorrow, sorrow, for the tears she cost,
But sorrow not for those that safely crossed.
Though through the darkness of the wintry morn
Came that stern call for them ere day Was born;
No time to grieve for those they left forlorn!
Though with the blare of that great trumpet blast,
High over head the mighty wave was cast,
From storm to Peace eternal, swift they passed.
O sorrow, sorrow, for the ship that's lost,
O sorrow, sorrow, for the tears she cost,
But sorrow not for those that safely crossed.
For One came to them on that awful wave,
With loving hands outstretched to calm and save—
Straight to the Port of His strong Arms they drave.
He took the nestling babe to His own Breast,
He drew them safely through the surging crest
Of death's dark wave to Light, and Peace, and Rest.
Long may we sorrow for the ship that lost,
Long may we sorrow for the tears she cost,
But sorrow breaks in joy for those that crossed.