1 Dark are the waters before me—
Loud is the voice of the gale;
Storm cloud and tempest are o’er me,
Boatman! O list to my hail.

Refrain:
Carry me over the tide,
Dark are the waters,
And deep and wide;
Yonder, just over the sea,
My mansion is waiting for me.

2 Onward I move o’er the waters,
Lurid the lightning’s fierce glare,
Angry the surges beneath me—
Boatman! lo, danger is there. [Refrain]

3 Peril is in the dark waters—
Safety beyond the deep wave;
Father! O let me not perish—
Thou who art mighty to save. [Refrain]

4 Ah, when the voyage is over,
There, on that beautiful shore,
Safely beyond the dark waters,
Joy shall be mine evermore. [Refrain]