The Harbor Bell

Our life is like a stormy sea

Author: John Henry Yates (1891)
Tune: [Our life is like a stormy sea]
Published in 10 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Our life is like a stormy sea
Swept by the gales of sin and grief,
While on the windward and the lee
Hang heavy clouds of unbelief;
But o’er the deep a call we hear,
Like harbor bell’s inviting voice;
It tells the lost that hope is near,
And bids the trembling soul rejoice.

Refrain:
This way, this way, O heart oppressed,
So long by storm and tempest driv’n;
This way, this way, lo, here is rest,
Rings out the harbor bell of Heav’n.

2 Oh, let us now the call obey,
And steer our bark for yonder shore,
Where still that voice directs the way,
In pleading tones forevermore;
A thousand life wrecks strew the sea;
They’re going down at every swell;
“Come unto Me, come unto Me,”
Rings out th’ assuring harbor bell. [Refrain]

3 O tempted one, look up, be strong;
The promise of the Lord is sure,
That they shall sing the victor’s song,
Who faithful to the end endure;
God’s Holy Spirit comes to thee,
Of His abiding love to tell;
To blissful port, o’er stormy sea,
Calls Heav’n’s inviting harbor bell. [Refrain]

4 Come, gracious Lord, and in Thy love
Conduct us o’er life’s stormy wave;
Oh, guide us to the home above,
The blissful home beyond the grave;
There, safe from rock, and storm, and flood,
Our song of praise shall never cease,
To Him who bought us with His blood,
And brought us to the port of peace. [Refrain]


Source: Timeless Truths #936

Author: John Henry Yates

Rev. John H. Yates, was born in Batavia, N. Y., November 31, 1837. He was educated at the Batavia Union School, but at the age of eighteen was forced to engage in business as a clerk to help maintain his aged parents. For several years he was with his brother, Thomas Yates, in the shoe business; afterwards, for seven years, salesman in G. B. Worthington's hardware store. In 1871 he took charge of the fancy goods department in E. L. & G. D. Kenyon's double store and remained there fifteen years. In 1886 he was called to be local editor of the Progressive Batavian, and filled the position nearly ten years. When twenty-one years of age Mr. Yates was licensed to preach in the Methodist church, but was not ordained until 1897. For nearly seven y… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Our life is like a stormy sea
Title: The Harbor Bell
Author: John Henry Yates (1891)
Meter: 8.8.8.8 D 8.8.8.8
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #2147
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  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)

Instances

Instances (1 - 2 of 2)
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The Cyber Hymnal #2147

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Timeless Truths #936

Include 8 pre-1979 instances
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