An Old Sailor's Prayer Poem by Thomas Vaughan Jones

Bring on the Pilot, cast off the lines,
wait for the flooding tide.
Haul up the anchor, lay off the shore,
open the topsails wide.

Make fast the hatches, cargo secure,
close up the wind to lea;
Slide from the harbour, let out the log.
make for the open sea.

Hold tight the rigging, stand by the bridge,
ride on the surging foam,
until the vessel, voyage completed,
turns again, bound for home.

I am the vessel, mine is that ship,
buffeting through Life's gales.
Hope is the steerage, Faith is the hull,
charity firms my sails.

When on the shoreline, God checks my log,
looks at my manifest;
Pray that His Mercy grants me safe harbour,
laying my sails to rest.