He committed his body to the deep,
The sea -fowl enshadowed him with their wings,
Their hushed cries were his reprieve.
But the ship passed on under lighters toward the rose of dawn,
And soon it was full day in its clearness and strength.
For I could have saved him, I could have saved him,
He knew it, even his ship -mate knew it,
Though earth below silenced them.
Oh, what have I done? Oh, what, what have I done?
But he has saved me and blessed me,
And the love that passeth understanding has come to me.
I was lost on infinite sea,
But I've sighted a sail in the storm,
The far -shining sail, and I'm content.
I've seen where she's bound for,
That I'll land where she'll anchor forever.
Where she'll anchor forever.
I am an old man now,
And my mind can go back in peace
To that faraway summer of 1797.
Long ago now, years ago, centuries ago,
When I, Edward Fairfax Beale, commandeered in Norvetervour.
