by Elkse » Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:53 pm
Here are the 2 verses I remember singing with my dad. I known a "barque" was a French term for a ship. Dad was French. He served in the South Pacific during WWII. This was his favorite song. Years after his death, I made contact with a nearly 90 year old shipmate of his and learned something I hadn't known. Dad had mentioned Thyphoon Louise but it held no meaning to me as a child other than understanding is was a BIG, BAD storm. His shipmate related the story to me of them being at sea in a small wooden vessel (a submarine chaser) the night Louise took an unexpected turn and overtook them. He said the storm was so fierce most of the men were petrified with fear. Not my dad The veteran told me Dad's motto was, "We're the sailors so let's do our jobs", After their night of terror, they were left without power and without steering. Tge waves were still almost 60 feet high. They were fighting to keep aright and afloat. A larger ship finally answered their distress call but the boisterous waves prevented them from rescue. They could not get close enough to throw a life line although every man tried. Everyone except my dad who was the shortest man onboard. Dad sat down and started forming a "monkey fist" knot by wrapping rope in a certain way around an iron ball. When completed, Dad handed the monkey fist to Bob, the veteran who told me the story because, as he put it, he was "a baseball-playing 6-foot-four-inch cowboy from Montana". This throw was successful and the larger ship towed them to New Zealand.
I always liked the song. Now, knowing the reason it was Dad's favorite, makes it mine too!
Walking The Sea
Out upon Galilee one night,
Angry waves dashed in maddening height,
As the disciples sailed in fright over the deep.
Rowing against contrary wind,
Knowing not what might be their end,
Jesus came, He, their dearest friend,
Walking the sea.
(Chorus...)
Troublesome times may 'round you roll,
While on your voyage to the goal,
Just as they did in days of old,
On Galilee.
Faithfully strive your barque to guide
Knowing through storms you'll safely ride.
Jesus is ever at your side,
Walking the sea.
(Chorus..)
Here are the 2 verses I remember singing with my dad. I known a "barque" was a French term for a ship. Dad was French. He served in the South Pacific during WWII. This was his favorite song. Years after his death, I made contact with a nearly 90 year old shipmate of his and learned something I hadn't known. Dad had mentioned Thyphoon Louise but it held no meaning to me as a child other than understanding is was a BIG, BAD storm. His shipmate related the story to me of them being at sea in a small wooden vessel (a submarine chaser) the night Louise took an unexpected turn and overtook them. He said the storm was so fierce most of the men were petrified with fear. Not my dad The veteran told me Dad's motto was, "We're the sailors so let's do our jobs", After their night of terror, they were left without power and without steering. Tge waves were still almost 60 feet high. They were fighting to keep aright and afloat. A larger ship finally answered their distress call but the boisterous waves prevented them from rescue. They could not get close enough to throw a life line although every man tried. Everyone except my dad who was the shortest man onboard. Dad sat down and started forming a "monkey fist" knot by wrapping rope in a certain way around an iron ball. When completed, Dad handed the monkey fist to Bob, the veteran who told me the story because, as he put it, he was "a baseball-playing 6-foot-four-inch cowboy from Montana". This throw was successful and the larger ship towed them to New Zealand.
I always liked the song. Now, knowing the reason it was Dad's favorite, makes it mine too!
Walking The Sea
Out upon Galilee one night,
Angry waves dashed in maddening height,
As the disciples sailed in fright over the deep.
Rowing against contrary wind,
Knowing not what might be their end,
Jesus came, He, their dearest friend,
Walking the sea.
(Chorus...)
Troublesome times may 'round you roll,
While on your voyage to the goal,
Just as they did in days of old,
On Galilee.
Faithfully strive your barque to guide
Knowing through storms you'll safely ride.
Jesus is ever at your side,
Walking the sea.
(Chorus..)