Eternal Father, Strong to Save

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Eternal Father, Strong to Save is an anthem often associated with the Royal Navy , United States Navy, and United States Marine Corps . It is also called the Royal Navy Hymn or United States Navy Hymn.

The original anthem was written by William Whiting of Winchester , England in 1860 . It was actually intended as a poem for a student of his who wanted to travel to the USA. In 1861, John Bacchus Dykes , an Anglican clergyman, composed the melody "Melita" for the poem. "Melita" is an archaic expression for Malta , the ancient seafaring nation and scene of the shipwreck of the Apostle Paul , which is described in the Acts of the Apostles .

The first stanza is a reference to Psalm 104, in which God forbids the waters of the earth to in turn overflow them. The second stanza refers to Jesus ' miracle to appease a storm and walk on the waters of the Sea of ​​Galilee. The third stanza mentions the role of the Holy Spirit in the creation story of the book of Genesis and the last stanza is again a reference to Psalm 107.

Winston Churchill demanded that the anthem be sung in a service on the HMS Prince of Wales, which was also attended by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt , prior to the declaration of the Atlantic Charter . The hymn was also the last song played in the service on the Titanic on Sunday, April 14, 1912, the last Sunday before it sank. The anthem has been sung at numerous funerals by former US Navy members and politicians, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy , Richard Nixon , Ronald Reagan , Gerald Ford and George HW Bush .

"Eternal Father, Strong to Save" sheet music used by American forces during World War II

text

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, 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 walkedst on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
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.

German song version

O everlasting God, with a strong hand
you hold the sea in line.
Divide the wide sea for your people
To save from the enemy army.
We ask you, with grace, stand
at sea with people in danger.

O Jesus Christ,
you command the storm force with words.
You step safely through the tide,
and sleep soundly in the waves of fury.
We ask you, with grace, stand
at sea with people in danger.

O spirit that hovers over water,
From the beginning moved the world.
Soothe the waves,
halt swirls and the storm surge.
We ask you, with grace, stand
at sea with people in danger.

Trinity of love and power!
Protect ours day and night.
Through lulls, storms, rocks and tides,
guide them to their destination.
Then resound
your hymn of praise on land and sea loudly in windward and lee .

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