Seafarer's 23rd Psalm

Subject: RE: Seafarer's 23rd Psalm
From: Pete M
Date: 18 Dec 98 - 12:02 AM

Hi, I'm afraid it's taken a bit of time, I couldn't remember much more than you, but your request strirred me into action, and I've now got a copy courtesy Dr. Morgiana Halley who collected it as part of her ethnographic research into WW2 convoys.

SEAMAN'S PRAYER

The LORD is my pilot; I shall not drift.
He lighteth me across the dark waters;
He steereth me in the deep channels;
He keepeth my log.

He guideth me by the star of holyness[sic]
For His name's sake.
Yea, though I sail 'mid the thunders
And tempests of life,

I shall dread no dangers;
For THOU art near me.
Thy love and Thy care,
They shelter me.

Thou preparest a harbor before me
In the homeland of eternity.
Thou anointest the waves with oil;
My ship rideth calmly.

Surely sunlight and starlight shall
Favor me on the voyage I take,
And I will rest in the port of
My GOD forever.

Pete M

Subject: Seafarer's 23rd Psalm
From:
Date: 10 Dec 98 - 09:58 AM

It's not a song, afaik, but I long ago found (and have since lost) a nautical version of the 23rd Psalm, which began "The Lord is my Pilot, I shall not drift," and ended "Surely sunlight and starlight shall follow me wherever I sail, and at the end of my voyaging I shall rest in the port of my Lord."

I would very much like to find this again, and wondered whether anyone else had run across it.

(The only place I know of that this appeared was a novel, probably British, that had something to do with sailing. I read it probably 30 years ago. I have no idea of title or author. I'm hoping it was quoted from something more widely distributed.)