Part 5

Thou standest, ever standest near, Before man's waning eyes, An angel true to him more dear Than all beyond the skies! No fabled sprites of chants and creeds, Nor myths of bygone years, For thou suppliest all his needs And wip'st his briny tears.

So, if he quail in desert waste Or toss life's stormy sea, He turns his tear-stained eye in haste For one fond glimpse of thee. He longs to hide beneath thy wing, And nestle on thy breast; He lists to hear thee softly sing Him into peaceful rest!

Oh, sing aloud Mt. Zion's songs, To cheer each languid heart; For now some feeble spirit longs Thy blessings to impart. And thus thou keepest the Master's will, And showest all thy worth, Through loving kindness thou art still The angel of this earth!

THE BACHELOR'S SONG

While I keep my lonely hall, You are welcome one and all, As I sing my little song; Stay, I'll cheer you all day long-- And sow my bachelor-buttons, And sow my bachelor-buttons.

While this world is wild with glee, Chime I now my song to thee; In my bosom lurks no care, I can loiter everywhere-- And sow my bachelor-buttons, And sow my bachelor-buttons.

Oh dear, what a happy life For the man who has no wife, To bind with sore distresses, And silk and satin dresses-- While he sows his bachelor-buttons, While he sows his bachelor-buttons.

His heart is ever merry, His way is bright and cheery; No peevish baby crying, No jealous wife a-sighing-- While he sows his bachelor-buttons, While he sows his bachelor-buttons.

Ah! praise the God who hath given A life so much like heaven; Quit it? Oh no, I'll never, But live happy forever-- And sow my bachelor-buttons, And sow my bachelor-buttons.

PUT NOTHING IN ANOTHER'S WAY

Put nothing in another's way, Who's plodding on through life, But fill each heart with joy each day, With peace instead of strife. So then let not a missent word, Or thought, or act, or deed Be by our weaker brother heard To cause his heart to bleed.

Put nothing in another's way, It clear and ample leave; For words and actions day by day Life's great example weave. 'Tis then not meet that we should think That we are solely free In manners, dress, in food, or drink, Or fulsome revelry.

Put nothing in another's way, Just learn the Christian part To let a holy, sunny ray Shine in thy brother's heart. Help him to bear his load of care, His soul get edified-- 'Twas only for the soul's welfare That Jesus bled and died.

Put nothing in another's way, Ye who are sent to teach; No dark cloud cast across the day, Ye who the gospel preach. Ye twain must set the truth aright With joy and peace and love; For in your souls shines forth the light From Jesus Christ above.

Put nothing in another's way, Belovèd Christian friends; On through your toils, and cares, still pray, Till life's fleet journey ends. When at the resurrection dawn Eternal life is given, We'll get our harp, our robe, our crown, The star-lit crown of heaven.

FLOATING WITH THE GALE

TO MY LOST BROTHER

Ships the angry sea is lashing; But I launch my little bark, Though the thunder peals are crashing, And the sea is pitchy dark! See by lightning's vivid flashing How to shift my tattered sail-- Far across the billows dashing, I am floating with the gale.

CHORUS

Floating, floating, floating ever On the stormy deep blue sea, Far from father and dear mother And, true love, away from thee! Go, ye zephyrs, sweetly laden, Cheer my loved ones in their wail; Tell my wee sweet bright-eyed maiden I am floating with the gale!

When the siren maids are waking, And are singing wild sea songs, Dear, they start my heart to aching, For its love to thee belongs. Now my love-lorn soul is shaking With a spell of bitter wail, And my heart is sadly breaking, For I'm floating with the gale!

CHORUS

Now my hopes are fading ever, Gloom is chasing 'way the bliss; Dear, I know that I can never Come thy ruby lips to kiss! But my heart will cling forever To that love I oft did hail, For those ties I can not sever, Though I'm floating with the gale!

CHORUS

Dear, my heart is ever longing, Longs surfmen my bark to save; Through my brain these thoughts are thronging, Of a grave beneath the wave; Of loved ones my heart is wronging, And the belly of the whale; 'Round my soul their ghosts are thronging, As I'm floating with the gale!

CHORUS

Dear, I fain would be returning To the cove just where thou art, While my languid breast is burning Light and love full out my heart! But cruel Fate my hopes is spurning, And winds blow against my sail; While out Death my life is burning, I'm still floating with the gale!

CHORUS