Home From The Sea
The Sheringham Shantymen Lyrics

On a cold winters night
On a frigid winter night

With a storm at its height
During a powerful storm

The lifeboat answered the call.
The rescue boat responded to a distress call.

They pitched and they tossed
The waves were rough and made the boat rock violently.

Till we thought they were lost
Their survival seemed unlikely to everyone watching.

As we watched from the harbour wall.
The observers witnessed the dangerous situation from a safe distance.

Though the night was pitch black,
Despite the complete darkness of the night

There was no turning back,
They could not abandon the rescue mission despite the risks.

For someone was waiting out there,
A person was in danger and needed help.

But each volunteer
Each crew member

Had to live with his fear
They had to manage their own fears while facing the dangers of the rescue operation.

As they joined in a silent prayer.
The crew prayed together quietly for protection and success.

Carry us home, home, home from the sea
Please bring us back to our loved ones and to safety.

Angels of mercy, answer our plea
We ask for divine help and protection in this dangerous and difficult mission.

And carry us home, home, home from the sea
Please take us back safely from this treacherous mission.

Carry us safely home from the sea.
Please ensure our safe return to our homes and families.

As they battle their way
As they struggled against the dangerous conditions

Past the mouth of the bay,
They went beyond the bay's entrance.

It was blowing like never before.
The wind was unusually strong and powerful.

As they gallantly fought,
As they fought bravely

Every one of them thought
Each crew member reflected on

Of loved ones back on the shore.
Their families and loved ones waiting for their safe return on the land.

Then a flicker of light
They spotted a faint light

And they knew they were right.
The crew knew that they had found what they were looking for.

There she was on the crest of a wave.
The distressed boat was visible on a wave's highest point.

She's an old fishing boat
The boat in distress was a fishing boat.

And she's barely afloat.
The boat was almost sinking.

Please God, there are souls we can save.
We hope that we can rescue the people on board and bring them back to safety.

And back in the town
In the town far away from the rescue location

In a street that runs down
On a slope leading to the sea

To the sea and the harbour wall,
A location where people had a clear view of the sea and the wall of the port.

They had gathered in pairs
People gathered in small groups of two.

At the foot of the stairs
Directly beneath the staircase.

To wait for the radio call.
They waited to hear updates through radio communication.

And just before dawn
Shortly before sunrise

When all hope was gone
At a time when the chances of survival seemed impossible

Came a hush and a faraway sound.
Suddenly there was silence that was soon replaced by a distant sound.

'Twas the coxswain he roared
The chief officer shouted

All survivors on board
Everyone on the distressed boat was rescued.

Thank God and we're homeward bound.
Thankful for the success of the mission, they're now heading back to their homes safely.

To carry them home, home, home from the sea
To safely bring the rescued people back to their loved ones on land.

Angels of mercy, answer our plea
Thank you, dear angels, for helping us overcome danger in this mission.

And carry them home, home, home from the sea
Please ensure that the rescued people are brought back safely to land.

Carry them safely home.
Please safeguard the rescued people during their journey back home.

Home from the sea.
Safely returned from the treacherous sea journey.