On, tempest-toss’d mariner, trust in the Lord,
Rely on His faithful, unchangeable word;
Though dark be the waters that bear thee along,
Yet the light of His love shall conduct thee safe home.
Though loud roaring billows above thee shall rise,
And clouds dark and gloomy o’ershadow the skies,
Thy Father permits it, ’tis all for the best,
And the rougher the journey the sweeter the rest.
Not long shalt thou sail on life’s troublesome sea,
Bright mansions above are preparing for thee:
In the bosom of Jesus are long thou shalt rest,
Thrice happy believer, ’tis all for the best.
Though toilsome and dreary thy journey may be,
There’s land in the distance, though thou can’st not see,
Soon, soon thou shalt land on the heavenly shore,
Where toiling and rowing forever are o’er.
Though waves of affliction roll high o’er thy head,
And hope’s brightest visions long cherished are fled,
Still cling to the promise, and be not distress’d,
Thy Father permits it, ’tis all for the best.
Then trust in thy Pilot to steer thee aright,
The long-looked-for harbor is almost in sight:
The billows may roar and the ocean may foam,
But all will be peace when thou’rt landed at home.
What joy shall be thine when with angels above
Thy voice shall unite in the song of His love;
When troubles and trials forever are past,
And thy vessel has anchored in safety at last.
With joy thou shalt tell to the listening throng
The way that thy Father hath led thee along,
Through floods and through flames, o’er the fierce
rolling tide,
And landed thee safe on the opposite side.
Oh, heaven-bound mariner, steer on thy way,
The shadows of night are passing away;
Soon, soon thou shalt land in the heaven of rest,
With rapture exclaiming, “’Twas all for the best.”