Eternal Father - Strong to Save

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Eternal Father - Strong to Save

Our Anthem.

Eternal Father, strong to save.
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
Its’ own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Christ, whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at thy word,
Who walked'st on the foaming deep
And calm above the storm did sleep:
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Holy Spirit, who didst brood
Upon the waters dark and rude,
Who bid their angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace:
O hear us when we cry to the
For those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and power,
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour.
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe’er they go:
Thus evermore shall rise to thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

Is a most worthy Anthem for the Merchant Navy.

www.ss-tregenna.co.uk/Merchant_Songs.htm

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Home From The Sea (The Lifeboat Song)

Inspired my attempts to further the thought of "Over the Seas and Far Away".

Especially after witnessing several renditions of this moving tribute by Courtmacsherry lifeboat at Kinsale Harbour on Annual Sea Sunday visits over several years.

An example of this moving PHIL COULTER song can be found by following the below link:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoO4WfSMOpg

KG.

www.ss-tregenna.co.uk/Merchant_Songs.htm

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The only actual MN song known to me is as follows:

Song of the Merchant Navy in Wartime

You have seen him on the Street,
Rolling round on drunken feet,
You have seen him clutch the lamp-post for support,
You have shuddered in disgust,
When he’s grovelled in the dust,
‘Cause he’s just a Merchant Seaman back in port.

You have seen his ship in port,
When to his sweetheart paying court,
You have seen him, when his ship is on the spree,
But you have not seen the clip,
Of that lonely ‘blacked out’ ship,
Ploughing furrows through the mine infested sea.

He has brought your wounded home, through the “ Sub “, congested zone,
He has carried your troops across the sea by night,
He’s a hero and a sport,
And when he is not in port,
He is always in the thickest of the fight.

He has fought your wicked ‘Hun’,
With just a 4: 7 inch gun,
He has ruined Hitler’s Atllantic Ocean plan,
But when he is back in port,
He’s no hero, he’s no sport,
He is nothing……..but a drunken Sailorman.

www.sstregenna.co.uk/Poem_Board.htm#Song%20of%20the%20Merchant%20Navy%20in%20Wartime

www.ss-tregenna.co.uk/Merchant_Songs.htm

All help and assistance is sought on the actual tune, To some extent I don't want to join the army comes to mind.

[Administrator]

"OVER THE SEAS AND FAR AWAY."

Inspired by the TV British series of a television drama starring Sean Bean about Richard Sharpe, a fictional British soldier in the Napoleonic Wars based on a number of novels by Bernard Cornwell; and a love of the title song “"Over the Hills and Far Away" a traditional English song, dating back to at least the early 1700s.

I have come across a number of adaptations to the original traditional arrangement – including several “Over the seas so far away”!

I look toward a Merchant Naval version to commemorate “Those still not home from the sea” and in this year of 2010, a commemorative year and one of significance that we contribute further in remembrance in a special way.

This leads to my request for further help.

The Sharpe version of a traditional song is as follows:

Here's forty shillings on the drum for those who volunteer to come
To 'list and fight the foe today -

Over the hills and far away.

O'er the hills and o'er the main, Through Flanders Portugal and Spain King George commands and we obey -

Over the hills and far away.

When duty calls me I must go, to stand and face another foe
But part of me will always stray -

Over the Hills and far away

O'er the hills………….etc.

If I should fall to rise no more, as many comrades did before
Then ask the fifes and drums to play -

Over the hills and far away

O'er the hills ……….etc.

The fall in lads behind the drum. With colours blazing like the sun
Along the road to come what may -

Over the hills and far away

O'er the hills…………etc.

I both suggest and require help in our own arrangement. My intention would be for a version based upon input from all that may assist / help.

A Barry Annual Service occurs in September as will MN Day and I would seek a local / Welsh choir or choirs to perform the arrangement.

IF THE LIKES OF: Catherine Jenkins etc would intervene, our arrangement could be recorded, with proceeds going to worthy MN causes.

All that was asked was for those that came after them,
Remember Them, “Lest we Forget.

Please consider, advise and give input. All lines, verses, ideas and involvement will be credited and may make a difference,
In my time and not seeking credit, I would like to attempt to further do my bit, play a part and ensure future remembrance.

In a modern world this could be achieved by download , MP3 etc, who knows how big this could become.

Let us this year indeed, make a difference. In a big way.

"OVER THE SEAS AND FAR AWAY."

Saddened by the lack of singing at special events, could we not sing something we all know ? with a slight change.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fy3tSim3to


Keith at Tregenna.

[Administrator]

Over the Seas and Far Away


Convoys formed – brave men aboard,
Battened down to go abroad.
Sailing out from Barry port,
Leaving wives and all distraught.

CHORUS

O’er the seas and far away
The call of seas caused me to stray
So far from home and family
I only ask “Remember me!”

Britain needed us they said,
The seagulls’ cries they onwards led.
Out there we earned each crust of bread,
Though now many are the honoured dead.

CHORUS

O’er the seas and far away
The call of seas caused me to stray
So far from home and family
I only ask “Remember me!”

We strived with all our might and main,
To bring our cargoes home again.
Food and weaponry supplied,
Laid down our lives, so many died.

CHORUS

O’er the seas and far away
The call of seas caused me to stray
So far from home and family
I only ask “Remember me!”

So here we lie in watery grave,
Not all returned – though many saved.
Remember us – remember well,
We are the ones who gave our all.

CHORUS

O’er the seas and far away
The call of seas caused me to stray
So far from home and family
I only ask “Remember me!”

Dusty Miller, Joe Earl, Barry Ladies Choir

In Memory of Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice.

Following requests to pen the words to “Over the Seas and Far Away” both Charles “Dusty” Miller and Captain Joe Earl have provided the necessary versions towards a wonderful remembrance. An arrangement has been adapted by the Barry Ladies Choir for an inaugural version to be performed at the Merchant Navy Association (Wales) Barry Branch Annual Seafarers’ Service in September 2010.

I would personally like to thank Dusty, Joe and the Barry Ladies for making this possible. The arrangement was decided upon by the choir themselves and may still be altered slightly.