The Cyber Hymnal ‎#5068

5068. The Old Ship of Zion

1. I was drifting away on life’s pitiless sea,
And the angry waves threatened my ruin to be,
When away at my side, there I dimly descried,
A stately old vessel, and loudly I cried:
Ship ahoy! Ship ahoy!
And loudly I cried: Ship ahoy!

2. ’Twas the old ship of Zion, thus sailing along,
All aboard her seemed joyous, I heard their sweet song;
And the captain’s kind ear, ever ready to hear,
Caught my wail of distress, as I cried out in fear:
Ship ahoy! Ship ahoy!
As I cried out in fear: Ship ahoy!

3. The good captain commanded a boat to be low’red,
And with tender compassion He took me on board;
And I’m happy today, all my sins washed away
In the blood of my Savior, and now I can say:
Bless the Lord! Bless the Lord!
From my soul I can say: Bless the Lord!

4. O soul, sinking down ’neath sin’s merciless wave,
The strong arm of our captain is mighty to save;
Then trust Him today, no longer delay,
Board the old ship of Zion, and shout on your way:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout and sing on your way: Jesus saves!

Text Information

• First Line: I was drifting away on life's pitiless sea
• Title: The Old Ship of Zion
• Author: Mary J. Cartwright (1889)
• Language: English
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: [I was drifting away on life's pitiless sea]
• Composer: Daniel Brink Towner
• Incipit: 34555 56711 11512
• Key: C Major
• Copyright: Public Domain