Ship of Zion

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There's a wail from the islands of the sea

Author: M. B. C. Slade
Tune: [There's a wail from the islands of the sea]
Published in 13 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 There’s a wail from the islands of the sea,
There’s a voice that is calling you and me,
In the old ship of Zion,
The strong help of Zion,
The good news of Zion, carry ye!

“Come over and help us!” is the cry;
“Come over and help us, or we die,”
I see the woe falling,
I hear the voice calling
Oh, ship of salvation, thither fly.

2 There’s a moan from the desert, full of pain,
There’s a sigh over Afric’s sunny plain,
In the old ship of Zion,
The strong help of Zion,
Bear good news of Zion o’er the main!

“Come over and help us!” is the cry;
“Come over and help us, or we die,”
Across the wide waters
Hear Afric’s dark daughters,
Oh, ship of salvation, thither fly.

3 There’s a groan from the Ganges, where they fall,
At the feet of the idols in their thrall,
In the old ship of Zion,
The strong help of Zion,
The good news of Zion, bear them all!

“Come over and help us!” is the cry;
“Come over and help us, or we die,”
The idols are falling,
And India calling,
Oh, ship of salvation, thither fly.

Source: Crowning Day, No. 6: A Book of Gospel Songs #212

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Author: M. B. C. Slade

Mary Bridges Canady Slade USA 1826-1882. Born in Fall River, MA, she was well-educated and became a minister's wife, teacher, and poet. She was assistant editor of The New England Journal of Education. She also authored hymns, Sunday school materials and books on education, primarily used for training teachers. She authored a children's magazine, “Wide-awake”. She and her husband were active in the underground railroad (helping slaves achieve their freedom). She spent her whole life living in the same town. John Perry Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	There's a wail from the islands of the sea
Title:	Ship of Zion
Author:	M. B. C. Slade
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	Come over and help us
Copyright:	Public Domain