ThanksTD

A Scots friend translated the song for me this weekend. This is her version. Only small differences.

Twas a wild, fearsome night on the sea,
Whatever the outcome may be,
For the lifeboat maroon has alerted the town
And I wordlessly pray as I stand on the brae
'O Lord, bring my man back to me.'

There's sweethearts and wives standing by,
All worried and anxious as I
Such an earnest-like throng, such a silence among,
And we pray as the mercy-boat speeds on her way,
'O dear Lord above, hear our cry.'

There's sweethearts and wives standing round,
The boats crew are all from this town,
Such an earnest-like throng, such a silence among,
And we pray as the mercy-boat speeds on her way,
'O dear Lord above, hear our cry.'

At length on that storm-wrack-ed shore
Our hands help the lifeboat to moor,
And we learn of the fate of the skipper and mate,
And the fishermen pray as they stand 'neath the spray,
'O Lord, help their wives to endure.
Lord, father their bairns in this hour.'

If anyone has further info on the song - please add it to this thread