With darkness long we’ve been o’erwhelm’d

1. In darkness long we’ve been o’erwhelmed Upon proud Britain’s land, But now the Lord has call’d us forth By his Almighty hand.

Across the sea we cheerfully go, Our kindred saints to see, Blow gently, gale, fill every sail, And waft us o’er the sea.

2. God sent his servants from afar, This joyful news to tell, That we might all be sav’d from sin, And in his presence dwell.

Across the sea we cheerfully go, Our kindred saints to see, Blow gently, gale, fill every sail, And waft us o’er the sea.

3. They told us that the Lord designed Poor Zion to restore, And gather all her sons from far, That she might weep no more.

Across the sea we cheerfully go, Our kindred saints to see, Blow gently, gale, fill every sail, And waft us o’er the sea.

4. Soon as the message we obey’d, And realized its power, To cross the mighty flood we then Were longing every hour.

Across the sea we cheerfully go, Our kindred saints to see, Blow gently, gale, fill every sail, And waft us o’er the sea.

5. At length the time did then arrive That we must haste away, To gather up for Zion too, To wait the perfect day.

Across the sea we cheerfully go, Our kindred saints to see, Blow gently, gale, fill every sail, And waft us o’er the sea.

6. Sectarians breathed out their scorn, And said that we should rue, But trusting in the word of God, We bade them all adieu.

Across the sea we cheerfully go, Our kindred saints to see, Blow gently, gale, fill every sail, And waft us o’er the sea.

7. We gave our friends the parting hand, And relatives most dear, They pour’d their blessings on our heads, And dropt the parting tear.

Across the sea we cheerfully go, Our kindred saints to see, Blow gently, gale, fill every sail, And waft us o’er the sea.

8. But soon we hope to meet again, With those we lov’d before, And dwell with them on Zion’s Land, In peace forever more.

And now across the sea we go, Our kindred saints to see, Blow gently, gale, fill every sail, And waft us o’er the sea.