BOY UPON THE WAVES

BOY UPON THE WAVES

                                                       

                Tossed upon the waves of sea

                Holding fast to life's last breath

                Rowing strong that all might be

                Delivered from the hand of Death

                This boy who rowed until his last

                He was unknown until he died

                Yet left behind there was a past

                A mother on a shore that cried

                "My son, my cherished little boy

                He left my side so young and quick

                To seek a dream and chase a joy

                But left behind his mother sick.

                "Return to me, my boy so dear

                Let not the sea e'er own your soul

                For she's a pow'r that I doth fear

                She'll take my heart and leave a hole.

                "Remember this, my plea, my cry

                And come straight back into my arms

                And fight for life you must not die

                I pray your soul be free from harms."

                This prayer was dashed upon the waves 

                That battered keel and tore our sail

                And sent this crew to wat'ry graves

                And drove a mother's heart to fail.

                This boy a youth to Sea had gone

                But lane before us in this hour

                Now lies a man for all he's done

                He broke the chains of youth's trite pow'r 

                A silent word let us now pay

                Reminding us of lives He blest

                Beneath these trees in dirt and clay

                His body worn and laid to rest.