Classic Poem

By the Deep Nine!

When wearing off the shore with the breakers on the lee,
And shrill winds are piping to the thunder of the sea;
As the shoal deeper grows, it becalms the sailor's fears,
As trembling he listens, and the saving call he hears:—
‘By the deep nine! by the deep nine!’

When murky is the night, and the misty wind is free,
When black scowls the sky above, and blacker, still, the sea;
When doubtful is the land-fall that dimly looms a-head,
Then ye'll heave to, my hearties!—bear a hand with the lead:—
‘By the deep nine! by the deep nine!’

Lashed fast o'er the drenching waves, the hardy sailor stands;
His eye is quick and certain, and ready are his hands;
Right cheerily o'erhead, then, the plunging lead he swings,—
Down, deeper down, it goes, and he musically sings:—
‘By the deep nine! by the deep nine!’

And ye, who are voyaging o'er life's tempestuous sea!
Let judgment be your compass, your lead let prudence be;
Should passion's current take you towards a wrecking reef,
Be wise to put about soon as prudence sounds relief:—
‘By the deep nine! by the deep nine!’

The gallant ship, the Union , our brave old fathers built;
Her keel was laid in heart's-blood of willing martyrs spilt!
Then beware! ye who sail her along the flood of time,
Keep her bearings, keep her soundings,—she'll float to the chime:—
‘By the deep nine! by the deep nine!’English