Verse 1
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We'd gone to sea that day
as we'd always gone before
this time it would be months
before home would be seen
and this too as in the past
for going to sea was our life.
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Verse 2
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Over the years the storms
had come and raged against
us time and time again to test
whether we really knew to sail
or how well prepared are we all;
the ship, the captain and crew.
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Verse 3
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This trip would be no different
for it was in the winter of time
and the winds were gale force
but we could not delay anymore
so set to sea we did once more.
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Verse 4
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It was a good ship we sailed
and the captain one of the best
the crew had been together
for many years and we knew
what each could or couldn't do.
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Verse 5
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When first out of the harbor
the waves and wind hurled
us about as if we were a cork
but soon with the correct sails
and a course set we proceeded
as best we could toward the goal.
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Verse 6
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Thus as in life forward we go
in good weather or in storm
we need to have a good crew,
a good captain, and the ship
on which we sail must be solid
with a sturdy helm to hold course.
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Verse 7
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And as the waves of mountain size
again and again strike us down
with the wind blowing gale force
we must endure, batten the hatches
use life lines and depend on another
for no one can survive a storm alone.
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Verse 8
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Though we have all of this in life
it is the smallest part of the ship
upon which we depend the most
to hold the course and guide us
safely from port to port, day to day,
for without the rudder we are nothing
at the mercy and justice of the sea.
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Verse 9
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Thinking now of this small rudder
which keeps us on our course
do we not have another small piece
which drives us to and fro in storm
called our tongue and our words
which we use to change the history
of our lives without our whole body
having any say at all of where we go.
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Verse 10
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So on the storm tossed sea of life
where do we speak and say bold words
and where are we quiet when asked
to speak and share what we know
for if we talk when we shouldn't
and are quiet when we should speak
how are we part of the crew just now?
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Verse 11
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For we have a captain sure we know
and the course is logged in the book
the ship is sound and built for storm
but the crew, our brothers and sisters
how sure are they in these gale wind
can they count on you in time of need?
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Verse 12
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Stop now and lets check the set of sails
and feel the sheets for the proper trim;
do you feel the slight tremble smooth
or the shaking or tightening of touch?
All is in our ability to sail forever now
or sink with a simple lack of knowledge.
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Verse 13
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Did you know at night with your hand
on the foresail you can tell if you are
either high or low to the wind and set?
Also if you close your eyes and feel
with your hands lightly on the helm
to can tell the proper trim of the ship?
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Verse 14
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How much like prayer is sailing a ship
from port to port we can do it with feel
or we can do it from a book by others;
we can do it during the day by sight
or better we can listen to the Spirit
and do it at night by sensitive feel.
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