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The Spiritual Sailor

Southern Harmony no. 41

First Line:	The people called Christians
Composer:	I. Neighbours
Source:	Dover Selection, p. 133
Meter:	7, 6
Printable Page Scan:	[Gif 90k]   [Wide Gif 90k]
Midi:	[midi]

1. The people called Christians
   Have many things to tell
   About the land of Canaan,
   Where saints and angels dwell;
   But here a dismal ocean,
   Enclosing them around,
   With its tides, still divides
   Them from Canaan's happy ground.

2. Many have been impatient
   To work their passage through,
   And with united wisdom
   Have tried what they could do;
   But vessels built by human skill
   Have never sailed far,
   Till we found them aground
   On some dreadful, sandy bar.

3. The everlasting gospel
   Hath launched the deep at last
   Behold the sails expanded
   Around the towering mast!
   Along the deck in order,
   The joyful sailors stand,
   Crying, "Ho!--here we go
   To Immanuel's happy land.

4. We're now on the wide ocean
   We bid the world farewell!
   And though where we shall anchor
   No human tongue can tell;
   About our future destiny
   There need be no debate,
   While we ride on the tide,
   With our Captain and his Mate.

5. To those who are spectators
   What anguish must ensue,
   To hear their old companions
   Bid them a last adieu!
   The pleasures of your paradise
   No more our hearts invite;
   We will sail--you may rail,
   We shall soon be out of sight.

6. The passengers united
   In order, peace, and love;--
   The wind is in our favor,
   How swiftly do we move!
   Though tempests may assail us,
   And raging billows roar,
   We will sweep through the deep,
   Till we reach fair Canaan's shore.
         

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