I wrote these song lyrics for a celebration of my parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary, today. They went in 1958 to Samoa, with the organisation that was in those days called the London Missionary Society. They remained in the Pacific Islands for the rest of their career, resettling in New Zealand after their retirement a few years ago. My father worked as a Church minister, educator, and theological teacher. My mother worked as a teacher of English in high schools, and later specialised on teaching language and literacy at university level. The song is a tribute to them. Music for it was composed by my daughter, with a Pacific-style rhythm.
Never more for homeland yearn
Venture out upon the deep
Go where foaming seas run steep
Leave familiar shores astern
Spirit moving in the deep
Guide me on, while seas run steep
Bravely voyage far away
Board a ship that lonely plies
Under wide Pacific skies
Go to distant isles and stay
Spirit moving in the deep
Guide me on, while seas run steep
Bravely live, with grace not strife
Keep your zest, in tropic heat
Love the task you choose to meet
Learn the local ways of life
Spirit moving in the deep
Guide me on, while seas run steep
Bravely ponder, seek, explore
Let your understanding grow
Find your joy in things to know
Fill with them, your treasure store
Spirit moving in the deep
Guide me on, while seas run steep
You who know the Lord is nigh
Journey well upon the deep
Trusting God your souls to keep
Fearless be, though seas run high
Spirit moving in the deep
Guide me on, while seas run steep
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