John, RichardW, Cobble;

The melody at http://www.harmonics.com/lucy/lsd/perillt.mid is the hymn I know as "Eternal Father" of which one line at the end of three of the verses is "For those in peril on the sea." For that reason I can see how the hymn might come to be known as "For those in peril".

The melody is attributed to John Bacchus Dykes, 1861 and the words to William Whiting, 1860. To the best of my knowledge the original hymn had 4 verses, but it seems to have acquired a "boatload" of additions for everything from Naval Aviators to the Submarine Service. It's a good tune; I'm not in the least surprised.

Unfortunately it's not the melody I've ever heard "Seaman's Hymn" sung to. I originally got the music from "The Boarding Party" (Tom McHenry) and he claimed they got it from a book titled _Songs & Sketches of the First Clearwater Crew_. I picked up a copy (edited by Don McLean -- yup, THAT Don Mclean; North River Press; Croton-On-Hudson, NY; 1970) and there it was on p.18 attributed to Traditional. The question of ownership is obviously a tad foggy.

I saw The Perfect Storm. I was a little stunned to think I hadn't remembered the melody to "Seaman's Hymn" at the end as it's something I would notice. Thinking back I do believe I heard "Eternal Father" but, I wouldn't bet more than a beer on that -- a very GOOD beer, but no more.

In any event I think I have a better idea of where you're coming from. The words I have for "Seaman's Hymn" fit very well to "Eternal Father", it's just not the melody I was looking for. I certainly appreciate your efforts not to mention the speed with which you responded...you guys are amazing!! If anyone's interested in helping me dig a little further, I'd be obliged. Right now I'm trying to see if there's anything on the web about A.L. Lloyd and have come up with almost "bupkis".