Navy Hymn
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Verse 1: Eternal Father, strong
to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea! Verse 2: O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard And hushed their raging at Thy word, Who walked'st on the foaming deep, And calm amidst its rage didst sleep; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea! Verse 3: Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood Upon the chaos dark and rude, And bid its angry tumult cease, And give, for wild confusion, peace; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea! Verse 4: O Trinity of love and power! Our brethren shield in danger's hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them wheresoe'er they go; Thus evermore shall rise to Thee Glad hymns of praise from land and sea. |
About
The original hymn was written by William Whiting of
Winchester, England, in 1860. It was originally intended as
a poem for a student of his, who was about to travel to the
United States. In 1861, John B. Dykes, an Anglican
clergyman, composed the tune "Melita" for this hymn. ("Melita"
is an archaic term for Malta, the site of a shipwreck
involving the Apostle Paul mentioned in Acts of the Apostles
chapters 27-28.)
The hymn is usually sung to the tune "Lodsworth". Like many
hymns, this hymn can also be considered a prayer.