[bad word] Nicolas sailed for Palestine 
Across the sunlit seas.
The South West Wind blew soft and fair, 
Seagulls hovered through the air,
And spices scented the breeze.
Everyone felt that land was near: 
All dangers now were past:
Except for one who knelt in prayer, 
Fingers clasped and head quite bare, 
Alone by the mizzen mast.
The sailors jeered at Nicolas, 
Who paid them no regard, 
Until the hour of sunset came
When up he stood and stopped their game 
Of staking coins on cards.
Nicolas spoke and prophesied 
tempest far ahead.
The sailors scorned such words of fear, 
Since sky and stars shone bright and clear, 
So ‘Nonsense!’ they all said.
Darkness was soon on top of them, 
But still the South Wind blew.
The Captain went below to sleep, 
And left the helmsman there to keep 
His course with one of the crew.
Nicolas swore he’d punish them 
For mocking at the Lord.
The wind arose, the thunder roared, 
Lightning split the waves that poured 
In wild cascades on board.
Waterspouts rose in majesty 
Until the ship was tossed 
Abaft, aback, astern, abeam, 
Lit by lightning’s livid gleam, 
And all aboard cried ‘Lost!’
Lightning hisses through the night, 
Blinding sight with living light!
Ah! Spare us! Man the pumps! Save us! 
Man the pumps! Axes! Saviour! Ah!
Winds and tempests howl their cry 
Of battle through the raging sky! 
Ah! Spare us! Lifeboats! Save us! 
Lifeboats! Lower away! Saviour!
Waves repeat their angry roar, 
Fall and spring again once more! 
Let [bad word] before the wind!
Shorten sail! Reef her! Heave her to!
Thunder rends the sky asunder
With its savage shouts of wonder! 
Ah! Pray to God! Kneel and pray! 
Lightning, Thunder, Tempest, Ocean
Praise their God with voice and motion.
Nicolas waited patiently,
Till they were on their knees,
Then down he knelt in thankfulness 
Begging God their ship to bless
And make the storm to cease.
NICOLAS O God! we are all weak, sinful, foolish men.
We pray from fear and from necessity at death, in sickness or private loss.
Without the prick of fear our conscience sleeps, forgetful of Thy Grace.
Help us, O God! to see more clearly. 
Tame our stubborn hearts.
Teach us to ask for less and offer more in gratitude to Thee. 
Pity our simplicity, for we are [bad word] pitiable in Thy sight. Amen.
The winds and waves lay down to rest, 
The sky was clear and calm.
The ship sailed onward without harm 
And all creation sang a psalm
Of loving thankfulness.
Beneath the stars the sailors slept 
Exhausted by their fear, while I 
Knelt down for love of God on high 
And saw His angels in the sky 
Smile down at me,
And wept, wept, and wept.