TENORS & BASSES
Nicolas sailed for Palestine
across the sunlit seas
The South West wind blew soft and fair
seagulls hovered through the air
and spices scented the breeze.
Everyone felt that land was near:
all dangers now were past:
except for one who knelt in prayer
fingers clasped and head quite bare
alone by mizzen-mast.
The sailors jeered at Nicolas
who paid them no regard
until the hour of sunset came
and up he stood and stopped their game
of staking coins on cards.
Nicolas spoke and prophesied
a tempest far ahead
The sailors scorned such words of fear
since sky and stars shone bright and clear
so Nonsense! they all said.
Darkness was soon on top of them
but still the South wind blew
The captain went below to sleep
and left the helmsman there to keep
his course with one of the crew.
Nicolas swore he d punish them
for mocking at the Lord
The wind arose, the thunder roared
lightning split the waves that poured
in wild cascades on board.
Waterspouts rose in majesty
until the ship was tossed
abaft, aback, astern, abeam
lit by the lightning's livid gleam
and all aboard cried, Lost!

SOPRANOS & ALTOS
Lightning hisses through the night
blinding sight with living light!
Ah!

TENORS & BASSES
Spare us!
Man the pumps!
Save us...
Man the pumps!
Axes! Axes!
... Saviour!

SOPRANOS & ALTOS
Winds and tempests howl their cry
of battle through the raging sky!
Ah!

TENORS & BASSES
Spare us!
Lifeboats!
Save us...
Lifeboats! Lower away!
... Saviour!

SOPRANOS & ALTOS
Waves repeat their angry roar
Fall and spring again once more!
Ah!

TENORS & BASSES
Let her run before the wind!
Shorten sail!
Shorten sail!
Reef her!
Reef her!
Reef her!
Reef her!
Heave her to!

SOPRANOS & ALTOS
Thunder rends the sky asunder
with its savage shouts of wonder!
Ah!

TENORS & BASSES
Pray to God! Kneel and pray!
SOPRANOS & ALTOS
Lightning, Thunder, Tempest, Ocean
Praise their God with voice and motion.

TENORS & BASSES
Nicolas waited patiently
till they were on their knees
then down he knelt in thankfulness
begging God their ship to bless
and make the storm to cease.

NICOLAS
O God! We are all weak, sinful, foolish men.
We pray from fear and from necessity at death
in sickness or private loss
Without the prick of fear our conscience
sleeps, forgetful of Thy grace.
Help us, O God, to see more clearly
Tame our stubborn hearts
Teach us to ask for less
and offer more gratitude to Thee.
Pity our simplicity
for we are truly pitiable in Thy sight.
Amen.
The winds and waves lay down to rest
the sky was clear and calm
The ship sailed onward without harm
and all creation sang a psalm
of loving thankfulness.
Beneath the stars the sailors slept
exhausted by their fear, while I
knelt down for love of God on high
and saw his angels in the sky
smile down at me, and wept.