THE WRECK OF THE S.S. PENGUIN

The night is wild, and stormy seas
Come swirling on the misty breeze;
Abnormal currents here prevail,
Which add a terror to the gale.
2
And through the hedge-like fog they dash,
Till ho, alas! A tearing crash
Is heard above the roaring tide,
As from the tragic rock they glide.
3
"All hands on deck!" the orders ring,
As helpless hands to mothers cling.
"All hands on deck! The boats are ready!
Now seamen all, keep cool and steady!"
4
The boats are filled with precious freight
Amid the darkness of the night;
The moaning waves and winds are sighing
For mothers fond and children crying.
5
The boats are lowered, but, sad to say,
Engulfed amid the briny spray;
Leave all their occupants to lave,
And welter in the angry wave.
6
By this the gallant ship goes down,
Whilst o'er her sweeping billows frown;
Some now are swimming for the shore,
Some sink, alas! to rise no more.
7
Along the beach- ah, what a sight
That greets the dawn and morning light!
Poor, lifeless hands lie stark and cold;
Poor, pallid cheeks and locks of gold.
8
I cannot dwell upon this scene;
It gives me pain too strong and keen;
But trust a kindly word may cheer
Those left to mourn their loved ones dear.
9
There's consolation in the thought,
Tho' o'er and o'er most dearly bought,
That those poor lambs who fled away
Are happy now in endless day.
10
And there will welcome dear ones home,
The stormy seas no more to roam;
Now mothers think, what gift you've given
To swell the melody of heaven.

Charley, I started to enter this before reading it through- my apologies, it's terrible!

Angus Cameron Robertson, the link above.