149. If you cannot on the ocean

1 If you cannot on the ocean
Sail among the swiftest fleet,
Rocking on the highest billows,
Laughing at the storms you meet;
You can stand among the sailors,
Anchor'd yet within the bay,
You can lend a hand to help them,
As they launch their boats away.

Refrain:
As they launch their boats away,
As they launch their boats away;
You can lend a hand to help them,
As they launch their boats away.

2 If you are too weak to journey
Up the mountain, steep and high,
You can stand within the valley,
While the multitudes go by;
You can chant in happy measure,
As they slowly pass along,
Tho' they may forget the singer,
They will not forget the song.

Refrain:
They will not forget the song,
They will not forget the song;
Tho' they may forget the singer,
They will not forget the song.

3 If you have not gold and silver
Ever ready to command;
If you cannot tow'rds the needy
Reach an ever-open hand;
You can visit the afflicted,
O'er the erring you can weep,
You can be a true disciple,
Sitting at the Saviour's feet.

Refrain:
Sitting at the Saviour's feet,
Sitting at the Saviour's feet,
You can be a true disciple,
Sitting at the Saviour's feet.

4 If you cannot in the conflict
Prove yourself a soldier true;
If, where fire and smoke are thickest,
There's no work for you to do;
When the battle-field is silent,
You can go with careful tread,
You can bear away the wounded,
You can cover up the dead.

Refrain:
You can cover up the dead,
You can cover up the dead.
You can bear away the wounded,
You can cover up the dead.

5 If you cannot in the harvest
Garner up the richest sheaves,
Many a grain both ripe and golden
Will the careless reapers leave;
Go and glean among the briars,
Growing rank against the wall,
For it may be that their shadow
Hides the heaviest wheat of all.

Refrain:
Hides the heaviest wheat of all,
Hides the heaviest wheat of all.
For it may be that their shadow
Hides the heaviest wheat of all.

6 Do not, then, stand idly waiting
For some greater work to do;
Fortune is a lazy goddess,
She will never come to you.
Go, and toil in any vineyard,
Do not fear to do or dare;
If you want a field of labor,
You can find it anywhere.

Refrain:
You can find it anywhere,
You can find it anywhere.
If you want a field of labor,
You can find it anywhere.

Text Information
First Line: If you cannot on the ocean
Author: Mrs. Ellen H. Gates
Language: English
Publication Date: 1895
Tune Information
Name: YOUR MISSION
Composer: Vail
Composer: Phillips
Key: G Major or modal



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