W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.
I go a Fishing
Walter Chalmers Smith (1824–1908)T
Where He appointed them to be;
The waves were breaking on the sand,
The winds were moaning o’er the land,
And life came back, like floating wrack,
On those dim shores of Galilee.
Was some fond haunt of memory,
Where they had known the mystic force
Of healing might or high discourse;
And at His will those waves were still
Upon the Sea of Galilee.
Save that dark cross on Calvary,
The crowing cock, the certain maid;
“I go a fishing,” then he said;
He could not bear the thoughts that were
Thick crowding now in Galilee.
Till better thoughts return to thee;
Ah! well to have some task to do,
When grief is fresh, and trouble new,
And life comes back, like cruel wrack,
On some sad shore of Galilee.
As vain the thought from which we flee;
And Christ is near to him that weeps,
And to his task of duty keeps,
Playing his part with heavy heart
A long dark night on Gallilee.