LIFEBOAT SONG
– Phil Coulter
On a cold winter's night,
with the storm at it's height,
A lifeboat answers a call.
They pitched and they tossed,
'till we thought they were lost,
As we
watched from the harbour wall.
'Tho
the night was pitch black, there was no turning back,
For someone was waiting out
there,
And each volunteer had to
live with his fear
As we
joined in a silent prayer.
Home, home, home from the sea,
Angels of mercy, answer our plea.
And carry us home, home, home from the sea,
Carry us safely home, from the sea.
As they battled their way
past the mouth of the bay
It was blowing like never
before.
As they gallantly fought
everyone of them thought
Of loved
ones back on the shore.
Then a flicker of light and
they knew they were right.
There she was on the crest of
a wave.
She's an old fishing boat and
she's barely afloat.
Please God,
there are souls we can save.
And back in the town, on a
street that runs down
To the sea
and the harbour wall.
They had gathered in pairs at
the foot of the stairs,
To wait for
a radio call.
Then just before dawn, when
all hope was gone,
Came a hush, and a faraway sound.
'Twas
the coxswain, he roared "All survivors on board,
Thank God, and we're homeward
bound"
Written by Phil
Coulter after the tragic loss of his brother at sea, this song was recorded by
Phil, the Clancy brothers and the Lifeboat Chorus (actual lifeboat crews). All
proceeds from the sale of the record went to the RNLI in