Launch the life-boat! Far on high The fiery rockets gleam, While loud and clear the booming signal gun Says there is work that quickly must be done. A vessel’s in distress: haste, every one, Nor idly stop to dream.
Launch the life-boat! On the shore The startled people stand, And watch the signal lights that shine on high, And through the pitchy darkness seek to spy The struggling ship, or to their comrades try To lend a helping hand.
Launch the life-boat! Now the moon Sheds forth her silvery light, And shows the boat is off; one long, loud cheer Breaks from the eager crowd assembled here; The dip of oars comes to the listening ear, Upon the silent night.
Speed the life-boat and her crew, Speed them on their watery way! As joy and hope they bring to hearts cast down, And waiting ’neath the storm-clouds’ dismal frown, While wind and wave their trembling voices drown, Waiting another day.
’Tis a cold, bleak night. With angry roar The north winds beat and clamor at the door; The drifted snow lies heaped along the street, Swept by a blinding storm of hail and sleet; The clouded heavens no guiding starlight lend, But o’er the earth in gloom and darkness bend; Gigantic shadows, by the night-lamps thrown, Dance their weird revels fitfully alone.
In lofty halls, where fortune takes its ease, Sunk in the treasures of all lands and seas; In happy homes, where warmth and comfort meet The weary traveller with their smiles to greet; In lonely dwellings, where the needy swarm Round starving embers, chilling limbs to warm,-- Rises the prayer that makes the sad heart light, “Thank God for home this bitter, bitter night!”
But hark! above the beating of the storm Peals on the startled ear the fire-alarm! Yon gloomy heaven’s aflame with sudden light; And heart-beats quicken with a strange affright. From tranquil slumber springs, at duty’s call, The ready friend no danger can appall; Fierce for the conflict, sturdy, true, and brave, He hurries forth to battle and to save.
From yonder dwelling fiercely shooting out, Devouring all they coil themselves about, The flaming furies, mounting high and higher, Wrap the frail structure in a cloak of fire. Strong arms are battling with the stubborn foe, In vain attempts their power to overthrow; With mocking glee they revel with their prey, Defying human skill to check their way.