Motley Words

Twas on a Longstone lighthouse, there lived an English maid,
Pure as the air around her, of danger unafraid.
One morning just at daybreak a storm-tossed wreck she spied:
Although to try seemed madness, “I’ll save the crew!” she cried.

Oh she pulled away o’er the rolling sea
And the raging storm she braved
She heaved away mid the crashing spray
And the crew she saved.

They to the rocks were clinging, a crew of nine all told,
Between them and the lighthouse the seas like mountains rolled
Grace said, “Come help me, father, we’ll launch that boat,” said she.
“’Tis madness,” said her father, “to face that raging sea.”

One murmured prayer, heaven guard us, and then they were afloat,
Between them and destruction, the planks of that frail boat.
Then spoke the maiden’s father, “Return or doomed are we.”
Then up spoke brave Grace Darling, “Alone I’ll brave the sea.”

They rode the angry billows and reached the rock at length.
They saved the shipwrecked sailors, in heaven alone their strength.
Go tell the wide world over what English pluck can do
And sing of brave Grace Darling who nobly saved the crew.
(Chorus) x 2