Fear was within the tossing bark
When stormy winds grew loud
And waves came rolling high and dark,
And the tall mast was bowed.
And men stood breathless in their dread.
And baffled in their skill;
But One was there, who rose and said
To the wild sea, "Be still!"
And the wind ceased—it ceased! that word
Passed through the gloomy sky;
The troubled billows knew their Lord,
And fell beneath his eye.
And slumber settled on the deep,
And silence on the blast;
They sank, as flowers that fold to sleep
When sultry day is past.
O Thou! that in its wildest hour
Didst rule the tempest's mood,
Send thy meek spirit forth in power.
Soft on our souls to brood!
Thou that didst bow the billows' pride
Thy mandate to fulfil!
Oh, speak to passion's raging tide,
Speak, and say, "Peace, be still!"
