Pilot Me

“Pilot Me” is arranged in memory of my father, who spent much of his life on or near the sometimes tempestuous waters of Rainy Lake, on the Minnesota/Ontario border. He sang it often in the car. I’ve also taken inspiration from the fog horns near Gloucester, MA.

Jesus, Saviour, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal;
Chart and compass came from Thee:
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.

As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boisterous waves obey Thy will
When Thou say’st to them, “Be still!”
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.

When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
‘Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
“Fear not, I will pilot thee.”

–Rev. Edward Hopper, 1871