For The Ship-King
By Peter Ringo, the wonderful violinist for our choir.
Arranged for voices (in unison/octaves, with solos) and three violins.
Lyrics:
Silver-scaled run your flocks and herds,
Fair and patient flow your ways and words,
Keel and hull, lantern’s wake, lighthouse on the shore,
Guide us safe through the storm.
The Ship King sails!
Keep safe the stern and bow, yard and spar, compass in the gale,
Bless the course that we sail.
Hail, drink to toast the Captain’s god.
Hail, King of decks and holds.
Hail, sing to bless the nets spread far.
Hail, Lord who rides the waves that roll.
Hail, Njord! Sail your steed in the sunset.
Billow white in the face of the wind,
Dragon helm dips and rises again,
Keel and hull, lantern’s wake,lighthouse on the shore,
Guide us safe through the storm.
Hail! Through the gales, Ship King sails on.
This was written for the Asphodel Choir, who sings the four "solo" lines in parts, with the altos singing the first line ("Hail, drink to toast the Captain's god"), sopranos on the next, then basses, then tenors.
Artwork by Righon.