| |
| OVER the waves the Petrel sped, | |
| (Captain Morrow of Marblehead,) | |
| And one fine day the sailors said, | |
| “Thanksgiving, sir, to-morrow.” | |
| |
| “Well, lads, we owe the Lord our lives, | 5 |
| Our happy homes and loving wives, | |
| And we ’ll win home, if each one strives, | |
| And tell him so, to-morrow.” | |
| |
| Then all the day was sound of song, | |
| Work with laughter went along, | 10 |
| Every heart held promise strong | |
| Of Thanksgiving on the morrow. | |
| |
| The daylight faded into night, | |
| The trig ship was a pleasant sight; | |
| On the horizon burst a light: | 15 |
| “What ’s that?” said Captain Morrow. | |
| |
| A moment’s space of silence dire, | |
| And then the cry, “A ship on fire!” | |
| “Set sails, my lads, we must go nigher | |
| Though we should lose to-morrow!” | 20 |
| |
| He scarce had spoke when, sound of fear, | |
| The minute-gun smote every ear; | |
| Then broke the men into a cheer, | |
| “Good boys!” said Captain Morrow. | |
| |
| They turned the Petrel round about; | 25 |
| They backward turned with prayer and shout; | |
| That pleading gun had driven out | |
| All thoughts of their to-morrow. | |
| |
| And forty souls, with weary pain, | |
| The Petrel brought to life again, | 30 |
| From out of whelming wave and flame. | |
| “Thank God!” said Captain Morrow. | |
| |
| “Good comrades, we have made no slip | |
| Between the promised cup and lip; | |
| We ’ll hold ‘Thanksgiving’ in the ship, | 35 |
| And then again to-morrow.” | |
| |
| Be sure the Petrel’s half-fed throng | |
| Kept good Thanksgiving all day long, | |
| In grateful prayer and happy song, | |
| Well led by Captain Morrow. | 40 |
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