Out upon an angry ocean

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Out upon an angry ocean

Author: F. E. Belden
Tune: [Out upon an angry ocean]
Published in 3 hymnals

Representative Text

1 Out upon an angry ocean,
Without helm or oar,
Millions in the wild commotion,
Sink to rise no more.

Chorus:
Throw out the life-line! Throw out the life-line!
Night is swiftly coming; Behold the setting sun!
Throw out the life-line! throw out the life-line!
Jesus is the life-line; You may save one.

2 On a flow'ry gospel meadow,
Thousands dwell at ease,
Caring not that Death's dark shadow
Haunts the stormy seas. [Chorus]

3 How can we who once were rescued
At so great a cost,
Cast adrift the only Life-Line,
Laughing at the lost! [Chorus]

4 Brothers, hear your brothers calling,
"Throw the line this way;"
Sisters, see your sisters sinking,
With no arm to stay. [Chorus]

Source: Christ in Song: for all religious services nearly one thousand best gospel hymns, new and old with responsive scripture readings (Rev. and Enl.) #545

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Author: F. E. Belden

Belden was born in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1858. He began writing music in his late teenage years after moving to California with his family. For health reasons he later moved to Colorado. He returned to Battle Creek with his wife in the early 1880s, and there he became involved in Adventist Church publishing. F. E. Belden wrote many hymn tunes, gospel songs, and related texts in the early years of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Belden was able to rapidly write both music and poetry together which enabled him to write a song to fit a sermon while it was still being delivered. He also wrote songs for evangelist Billy Sunday. Though Belden’s later years were marred by misunderstandings with the church leadership over his royal… Go to person page >

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