God My Great Captain (Unshaken Battleship Shanty)

(Call – Shantyman, deep and thunderous)
God my Great Captain! Steer us through the roar!
Wishy-Washy hearts—be wishy-washy no more!
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting none,
For the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea—
(Chorus – All hands, bellowing like cannon fire)
DRIVEN AND TOSSED BY THE WIND, ME BOYS!
DRIVEN AND TOSSED BY THE WIND!
HEY-HO! LORD JESUS, HOLD THE HELM WE SPIN!
GOD MY GREAT CAPTAIN—FAITH UNSHAKEN WITHIN!
(Call – louder, fists pounding rail)
Imagine a wee kayak on crystal blue seas,
Gliding with a paddle, vacation mode so free!
Little skill to send it swift on a sunny day ride—
But when the storm explodes, that kayak cannot hide!
Now picture a giant battleship, bulky, sturdy and grand,
Rust on her plates from battles across the land.
Not as pretty as the glossy little kayak’s carefree prance,
But when the heavens split—SHE TAKES HER MIGHTY STANCE!
(Chorus – even louder)
DRIVEN AND TOSSED BY THE WIND, ME BOYS!
DRIVEN AND TOSSED BY THE WIND!
HEY-HO! LORD JESUS...
(Call – building fury)
Waves crash like judgment! The kayak’s tossed like a fragile rag-doll,
Spun without control, driven where the wild winds call!
The battleship stands unfazed—she was built for this war,
Ready to weather the tempest again, and again, and AGAIN evermore!
When you come to God with your pleas, is your faith but a kayak frail?
Wishy-washy and weak, tossed about in the gale?
Or do you trust like the battleship—solid, confident, true—
Ready to face the future no matter what it throws at you?
(Chorus)
DRIVEN AND TOSSED BY THE WIND, ME BOYS!
DRIVEN AND TOSSED BY THE WIND!
HEY-HO! LORD JESUS...
(Call – full power, voice cracking with passion)
This faith is steady and secure—it laughs at tidal waves wild!
Life’s cruel circumstances cannot break this faith undefiled!
God’s timing will not break it, even when it don’t match your own,
It stands rock-solid, anchored deep before His throne!
Are you waiting on an answer—salvation of a loved one dear?
Healing from disease, or the prodigal child returning here?
Do you believe God is ABLE? That He CAN and He WILL?
Ask Him in faith, knowing He answers by His perfect will!
For what have you asked the Lord while doubt still clouds your mind?
Talk to Him this hour—leave your fear and doubt behind!
Cry out for confident faith, unwavering and grand—
God my Great Captain—take command!
(Final Chorus – maximum volume, repeat twice with stomps, claps, and amens)
DRIVEN AND TOSSED BY THE WIND, ME BOYS!
DRIVEN AND TOSSED BY THE WIND!
HEY-HO! LORD JESUS, HOLD THE HELM WE SPIN!
GOD MY GREAT CAPTAIN—FAITH UNSHAKEN WITHIN!
GOD MY GREAT CAPTAIN—FAITH UNSHAKEN WITHIN!
AMEN, ME LADS—FAITH UNSHAKEN WITHIN!

old Irish sea shanty strong and powerful (Unshaken Battleship Shanty)