Hi Ross,
The song is called 'The Lifeboat Prayer' and was written by Jon Heslop in 1999 when the Port Isaac inshore lifeboat was lost during a rescue. All that was left of it was a piece of orange plastic and the prop shaft bent through 2 right angles. The 3 crew rescued a man and his son who were washed into a cave and trapped for over 8 hours. It was a silver medal rescue and this is displayed in their lifeboat shed. The words 'let not the deep swallow me up' are inscribed around the edge of the RNLI Gold medal for Gallantry. We were honoured to be invited guests at the naming ceremony for the new lifeboat. 2 years ago at the Cornish Voice Tour I sang this on the Sunday morning while the RNLI were actually rescuing swimmers from the sea on the other side of the road from the hotel where we were all singing. Very hairs on the back of the neck stuff! It is recorded on our Not For Glory CD, which is sold out but if you wanted a copy of the song we still have the master and can get it sent to you or check out the Cd's of people you hear singng it as it has been recorded by a fair few.

LIFEBOAT PRAYER
(John Heslop)

To those who venture on the sea,
Who ply their trade upon the deep,
They sail within fates countenance,
And pray their gentle lives to keep.

CHORUS
And should I be beset by gale,
let me not drink the bitterest cup
Yet if the wind and wave prevail,
Let Not The Deep Swallow Me Up.

When the call for rescue comes
From those in peril on this day,
No matter how the storms may roll,
We cannot turn our heads away.

We must go where we are called
Through wind and rain, through wave and foam,
It's not for glory nor for gold
We bring poor sailors safely home.

I am a leaf upon the wind,
I am a man in love with life
I am afeared like any man
To venture 'gainst the ocean's strife.

ch x2