"JESUS, SAVIOR, PILOT ME"
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"And there was a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awoke him, and said unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."
---Mark 4: 37-39
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"Living in an area called the 'shipwreck coast,' I am amazed at how many shipwrecks there were in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The idea of 'peril on the sea' and safety for those who sailed there were very real concerns." ---Ware
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In 1978, during my second career, I had sold a lot of my product, and had won a CRUISE...to the
We were on deck and approaching
Turns out that this has been going on for centuries around harbors and other areas of "treacherous shoals." The term "pilot" was used on the sea, long before it was used for aviation. "Pilot" is from the Latin "pilota," and is thought to have originated in the early sixteenth century.
The custom of pilot boats for harbors dates all the way back to early Greek and Roman times. Then, anyone with a knowledge of the harbor and channels, and who had a fishing boat, could pick up some extra money by piloting. It is unclear whether he boarded the ship or merely led the ship into the harbor, in his own boat,
Today's pilot boats can be 20-75 feet long, built to withstand heavy seas, and bumping against 100,000 ton ships. They are high-powered and durable and usually painted a highly visible color such as orange, red, or yellow.
While the purpose of pilot boats was to get ships into the channel and harbor, and across all obstacles---and into that final safety, our selected hymn, "Jesus, Savior, Pilot me," seems to ask not only for this, but also guidance for the "total journey," a journey beset by vicious and dangerous storms, as most hymns of the sea metaphorically portray. As mortals, our dangers begin and last throughout the whole journey.
This hymn's lyrics were published in 1871 by Edward Hopper. The tune, "PILOT," by John Gould, was likewise published with the hymn, the same year. "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me," is often called "The Sailor's Hymn."
An alternate tune to "PILOT," (a 6.6.6.6.6.6. meter tune), is "TOPLADY," (a 7.7.7.7.7.7. meter tune), written in 1830 by Thomas Hastings. Readers will recognize it as the "Rock of Ages" tune.
As we shall note in future writings about the sea---it was a favorite subject for poets and hymn-writers to compare the vicissitudes, trials, and temptations that they visualized mankind enduring, to an awesome and unrelenting storm at sea. Examples are found in other hymns: "I've felt sin's breakers dashing...trying to conquer my soul." and "Master, the tempest is raging, the billows are tossing high!" Or do you remember: "When the world is tossing me, like a ship upon the sea...Thou who rulest wind and water, stand by me."
This hymn is not found in hymn books much anymore. It never achieved the popularity of many others. I first heard it in a quartet album in my high school days. Nonetheless, it is a worthy poem and expression, so much so, that the Salt Lake City University Institute Men's Choir has chosen to give us this splendid rendition of it. Here are the words:
"Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life's tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal;
Chart and compass come from Thee,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
When the darkling heavens frown,
And the wrathful winds come down;
And the fierce waves tossed on high,
Lash themselves against the sky.
Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life's tempestuous sea.
As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boisterous waves obey Thy will
When Thou say'st to them 'be still,'
Wondrous Sov' reign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
Through death's valley I must pass,
Still Thy grace will fear surpass;
In Thy presence I shall rest
And while leaning on Thy breast,
I shall hear Thee say to me
'Fear not, I will pilot thee.' "
“Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me”, Salt Lake City University Institute Men's Choir
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BY MIL
3/18/13
Sent from my iPad
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