Stormy Dusk

To-night the dark came stormy down, The sun went red to rest; And fleets of clouds like battleships Filled all the burning West. The wind was rising to a gale, It howled in hedge and tree . . . And it's cold, bitter cold, Where our sailormen must be, Oh, it's bitter cold this night In the wild North Sea! To-night I heard the church clock strike Across the gusts of storm . . . And I thought how go the hours at sea While we are sheltered warm . . . I prayed God guard our ships at sea And keep them from all harm . . . And guide them through the pitch-black tides Where the drifting death may be, And give them soon a safe return And a fruitful victory . . . And Christ our Lord who walked of old On waves of Galilee, Be near our men this night In the wild North Sea!