The Ship of Temperance

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Take courage, temperance workers

Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
Published in 15 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Take courage, temp’rance workers!
You shall not suffer wreck,
While up to God the people’s prayers
Are ringing from your deck;
Wait cheerily, ye workers,
For daylight and for land,
The breath of God is in your sails,
Your rudder in His hands.

Refrain:
Sail on O ship of hope!
Sail on for truth and right;
The breath of God is in your sails,
The haven is in sight!
The breath of God is in your sails,
The haven is in sight!

2 Sail on, sail on! Deep freighted
With blessings and with hopes;
The good of old, with shadowy hands,
Are pulling at your ropes:
Behind you, holy martyrs
Uplift the palm and crown;
Before you, unborn ages send
Their benedictions down. [Refrain]

3 Speed on! Your work is holy,
God’s errands never fail!
Sweep on through storm and darkness wild,
The thunder and the hail;
Toil on, the morning cometh,
The port you yet shall win!
And all the bells of God shall ring
The “Ship of Temp’rance” in! [Refrain]

Source: Sacred Songs No. 1: compiled and arranged for use in gospel meetings, Sunday schools, prayer meetings and other religious services #155

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Author: John Greenleaf Whittier

Whittier, John Greenleaf, the American Quaker poet, was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, Dec. 17, 1807. He began life as a farm-boy and shoemaker, and subsequently became a successful journalist, editor and poet. In 1828 he became editor of the American Manufacturer (Boston), in 1830 of the New England Review, and an 1836 (on becoming Secretary to the American Anti-Slavery Society) of the Pennsylvania Freeman. He was also for some time, beginning with 1847, the corresponding editor of the National Era. In 1840 he removed to Amesbury, Massachusetts, where most of his later works have been written. At the present time [1890] he lives alternately at Amesbury and Boston. His first poetical piece was printed in the Newburyport Free Press in 182… Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	Take courage, temperance workers
Title:	The Ship of Temperance
Author:	John Greenleaf Whittier
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	Sail on, O ship of hope
Copyright:	Public Domain