The song that I knew as a child as The Old Ship of Zion went like this:

I was drifting away on life's pitiless sea,
And the angry waves threatened my ruin to be,
When away at my side, there I dimly descried,
A stately old vessel, and loudly I cried--
"Ship, a-hoy! Ship, a-hoy!"
And loudly I cried: "Ship a-hoy!"

'Twas the "old ship of Zion," thus sailing along,
All aboard her seemed joyous, I heard their sweet song;
And the Captain's kind ear, ever ready to hear,
Caught my wail of distress, as I cried out in fear--
"Ship, a-hoy! Ship, a-hoy!"
As I cried out in fear: "Ship, a-hoy!"

The good Captain commanded a boat to be low'red,
And with tender compassion, He took me on board;
And I'm happy to-day, all my sins washed away
In the blood of my Saviour; and now I can say--
"Bless the Lord! Bless the Lord!"
From my soul I can say: "Bless the Lord!"

O soul, sinking down 'neath sin's merciless wave,
The strong arm of our Captian is mighty to save;
Then trust Him today, no longer delay,
Board the old ship of Zion, and shout on your way:
"Jesus saves! Jesus saves!"
Shout and sing on your way: "Jesus saves!"