[Music]
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.
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.
The everlasting gospel hath launch'd the deep at last;
Behold the sails expanded around the tow'ring mast!
Along the deck in order, the joyful sailors stand,
Crying, "Ho!--here we go to Immanuel's happy land!"
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.
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.
The passengers united in order, peace, and love;
The wind is in our favour, 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.
The _Southern Harmony_ gives the maker of this song as I. Neighbours,
who may indeed have been the author of the text. This text is clearly
a parody, and the tune a close variant, of 'When the Stormy Winds do
Blow' or 'You Gentlemen of England', a song of seafaring which appears
to have been widely sung in England over a long period. References to
a 'Stormy Winds' ballad reach back to 1660. The tune with different
texts appeared as 'Saylers for my Money', 'The Bridegroom's
Salutation', 'You Calvinists of England' and 'England's Valour and
Holland's Terrour'. See Vincent Jackson, _English Melodies from the
13th to the 18th Century_, p. 114.
Other melodic relatives which have come to my notice are 'The Trees do
Grow High', Sharp, _One Hundred English Folk-Songs_, No. 25; and 'John
Anderson My Jo John', _The Singer's Companion_, p. 72, and SMM, No.
146.
No. 137
IDUMEA, OSH 47