BROWN-FACED sailor, tell me true -- Our ship I fear is but illy thriving, Some clouds are black and some are blue, The women are huddled together below, Above the captain treads to and fro; Tell me, for who shall tell but you, Whither away our ship is driving! The wind is blowing a storm this way, The bubbles in my face are winking -- 'T is growing dark in the middle of day And I cannot see the good green land, Nor a ridge of rock, nor a belt of sand; Oh, kind sailor, speak and say, How long might a little boat be sinking? More saucily the bubbles wink; God's mercy keep us from foul weather, And from drought with nothing but brine to drink. I dreamed of a ship with her ribs stove in, Last night, and waking thought of my sin; How long would a strong man swim, d' y' think, If we were all in th' sea together? The sailor frowned a bitter frown, And answered, "Aye, there will be foul weather, -- All men must die, and some must drown, And there is n't water enough in the sea To cleanse a sinner like you or me; O Lord, the ships I've seen go down, Crew and captain and all together!" The sailor smiled a smile of cheer, And looked at me a look of wonder, And said, as he wiped away a tear, "Forty years I've been off the land And God has held me safe in his hand: He ruleth the storm -- He is with us here, And his love for us no sin can sunder." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO MY BOOKS by CAROLINE ELIZABETH SARAH SHERIDAN NORTON DECEMBER by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH VERSES, RESPECTFULLY & AFFECTIONALLY INSCRIBED TO PROFESSIONAL FRIEND by BERNARD BARTON HOLLY BERRY AND MISTLETOE by WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE TWO SEASONS by CLARENCE BLENDON BURLEIGH |