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, a-hoy!
Ship, a-hoy!”
‘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, a-hoy!
Ship, a-hoy!”
The good Captain commanded a boat to be lowered,
And with tender compassion, He took me on board;
And I’m happy today, all my sins washed away
In the blood of my Saviour; and now I can say:
“Bless the Lord!
Bless the Lord!”