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The Old Ship of Zion 79

Tune: Dr. Thomas W. Carter, 1844
Lyrics: Bryan’s Songster’s Companion, 1837; Alt. The Sacred Harp, 1844
Meter: 10s Half (10,10)
What ship is this that will take us all home,
O glory, hallelujah!
And safely land us on Canaan’s bright shore?
O glory, hallelujah!

Chorus:

O the old ship of Zion, hallelu, hallelu,
O the old ship of Zion, hallelujah!

The winds may blow and the billows may foam,
O glory, hallelujah!
But she is able to land us all home,
O glory, hallelujah!

(Chorus)

She landed all who are gone before,
O glory, hallelujah!
And yet she’s able to land still more,
O glory, hallelujah!

(Chorus)

No wrecks on sandbars or dangers attend,
O glory, hallelujah!
For Jesus is our Captain and Friend,
O glory, hallelujah!

(Chorus)

She’s waiting now for a heavenward gale,
O glory, hallelujah!
Methinks I see her now hoisting her sail,
O glory, hallelujah!

(Chorus)

Her sails are spread, see how swiftly she moves,
O glory, hallelujah!
Her landing harbor is heaven above,
O glory, hallelujah!

(Chorus)

What will the glad Christians do when above?
O glory, hallelujah!
They’ll shout, they’ll sing, they’ll be wrapt up in love,
O glory, hallelujah!

(Chorus)

Should you arrive there before I do,
O glory, hallelujah!
Inform them that I am coming there, too,
O glory, hallelujah!

(Chorus)