Pilot Me – Carol Barnett

Composer: Carol Barnett

Text by: Edward Hopper (1822-1888) 

Instrumentation: SATB divisi

Duration: Approx. 2'30"

Date Written:  2003

Composer’s note: This arrangement of “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me” was written in 2003 for the Gordon College Choir and C. Thomas Brooks, in memory of my father, who spent much of his life on or near the sometimes tempestuous waters of Rainy Lake, on the Minnesota/Ontario border. He sang it often on long family car trips. I’ve also taken inspiration from the fog horns near Gloucester, MA.

sample recording by Gordon College Choir/C. Thomas Brooks

text

Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal;
Chart and compass came from Thee:
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boisterous waves obey Thy will
When Thou say’st to them, “Be still!”
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
‘Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
“Fear not, I will pilot thee.”

— Rev. Edward Hopper, 1871