Come This Way, My Father!

1 I remember a voice once guided my way,
When tossed on the sea, fog enshrouded I lay:
'Twas the voice of a child as he stood on the shore,
It sounded like music o'er the dark billows' roar:
'Come this way, my father. steer straight for me,
Here safe on the shore I am waiting for thee."

Refrain:
"Come this way my father! oh, steer straight for me,
Here safe on the shore I am waiting for thee.

2 I remember that voice, as it led our lone way
'Mid rocks and thro' breakers and high dashing spray;
Oh, how sweet to my heart did it sound from the shore,
As it echoed so clearly o'er the dark billows' roar;
"Come this way, my father! steer straight for me,
Here safe on the shore I am waiting for thee." [Refrain]

3 That voice now is hushed which once guided my way,
The form I then pressed is now mingling with clay;
But the tones of my child still resound in my ear,
The voice of my darling how distinctly I hear;
"I'm calling you, father! tossed on life's sea,
And on a bright shore I am waiting for thee." [Refrain]

4 I remember that voice in the oft lonely hour,
It comes to my heart with fresh beauty and power,
And still echoes far out over life's troubled wave,
And sounds from the loved lips that lie in the grave:
"Come this way, my father! steer straight for me,
Here safely in Heav'n I am waiting for thee." [Refrain]


Source: Joy to the World: or, sacred songs for gospel meetings #45

• MIDI file from Bradbury's Golden Shower of S.S. Melodies: a new collection of hymns and tunes for the Sabbath school #108