November 22, 1873
The steamship Ville du Havre sinks into the dark Atlantic Ocean
Four daughters — Anna, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Tanetta
All lost to the deep
One telegram reaches the father: Saved alone
Now, his ship passes the very graveyard of his children
The captain called me to the deck
Pointed to the rolling sea
The water swallowed every wreck
And took my world away from me
I fell to my knees upon the floor
Drowned in tears I could not fight
My heart was broken to the core
Crying out into the night
But through the weeping and the pain
I will not curse Your holy name
No blame shall rise, no anger flare
Instead, a stillness fills the air
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul
I sit before the wooden plate
With trembling hands I take the pen
Beyond the shadow of my fate
I feel the breath of life again
A peace that passes human mind
Descends upon this raging deep
The golden dust that here I find
Is a promise that my soul will keep
Through generations yet to come
This song is whispered in the dark
Sighed in the pews when lips are numb
Or striking like a holy spark
Sometimes a yawn, a routine chord
Sometimes a shield against the sword
A comfort deeper than the grave
The strongest anchor on the wave
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul
Alex · Quellenbeziehungen