What though the angry waves are high,
And darkness reigns around?
Let hope be bright in every eye,
Our ship is homeward bound!
What though nor moon nor stars appear
Amid the gloom profound,
Why should we yield a place to fear?
Our ship is homeward bound!
What though the lightnings glare above,
And deaf'ning thunders roar,
When with the eye of faith and love
We view the distant shore?
We know that friends are waiting there
We loved in life before;
And angel forms all bright and fair
Line the eternal shore.
We've often longed with them to bow
At our Redeemer's feet,—
He loved us first, we love Him now,
Then let the billows beat!
And let them bear our hopes away,
Although they once were sweet,
We catch a glimpse of coming day —
Oh, let the billows beat!
The coward peers with trembling form
Into the gloom profound,
But we can smile to view the storm,
Our ship is homeward bound!
And though for us on life's dark wave
No anchorage be found,—
Oh, let our hearts be true and brave,
Our ship is homeward bound!