The Sailor's Sea Prayer For those needing Translation of this Picture into their own language... Go Here A Sailor never need fear - His Pilot is ever near - ever Watchful... The Following Poems have been put to Music by various persons, and these have come down to us as Traditional Navy Hymns I'd like to share with you, for their Tradition are as much a part of the Navy Way of Life as are many other Traditions which I Will share with you as you visit this Website. Music and Spirituality is very much a part of the Navy. We have a deep connection with the Divine, for when we are out at sea, it is like we are adrift in the great immensity of Space. Especially at night is this true. Anyone who has stood Bridge Watches and Dog Watches up on the Superstructure of their ship can attest to the fact that they feel a very closeness with God and the Heavens during this time. Poetry and Songs reflect this nearness of the Divine, and they fill many volumes in libraries and many more books shelves. I have included several favorite ones here which are well known by all. The Navy Hymn is one such piece of music that has been sung for many generations by both Worshipping civilians as well as worshipping Seafaring men and women in their chapels around the globe, and in every country and clime I have included background music here to go along with the words. I have included two (2) versions of the Navy Hymn, and if you stick around long enough on this Page, you will hear all I have prepared for you here as background music for the Words which follow. I have also included some history on the Navy Hymn, gleaned from the following Mirrored Website, the Naval History Center, from their FAQ Archives:. The Navy Hymn - Eternal Father, Strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bid'st the mighty Ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep; O hear us when we cry to thee, for those in peril on the sea. O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard And hushed their raging at Thy word, Who walked'st on the foaming deep, and calm amidst its rage didst sleep; Oh hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea! Most Holy spirit! Who didst brood Upon the chaos dark and rude, And bid its angry tumult cease, And give, for wild confusion, peace; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea! O Trinity of love and power! Our brethren shield in danger's hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them wheresoe'er they go; Thus evermore shall rise to Thee, Glad hymns of praise from land and sea. -- Author and date unknown * Text extracted from a publication of the Bureau of Naval Personnel This hymn playing is often used at funerals for personnel who served in or were associated with the Navy. Eternal Father was the favorite hymn of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was sung at his funeral at Hyde Park, New York in April 1945. Roosevelt had served as Secretary of the Navy. This hymn was also played as President John F. Kennedy's body was carried up the steps of the capitol to lie in state. "For those who fought for it... freedom has a flavor the protected will never know!"