Published: April 26, 2007 02:43 pm    PrintThis  

The Ballad of Smiling Light

The smiling light of Matinicus Rock

A jubilant sight it be

Posed in the spray of Penobscot Bay

It promenades mariners on their way

Through the jealous froth of the sea.



Whenever a seasoned Salt has sailed

Through the infinite sea's abyss

As the tempest whirled and the breakers curled

Matinicus cheated the Netherworld

With the beacon's reviving kiss



Then roll ye tides, ye tides roll on

On this fine New England morning.

And may I live till another day

New England's my home!



From coastal Maine to this craggy isle

Young Abigail Burgess came

The Keeper's child, she frolicked and smiled

And gathered her wits when the sea was wild

And her nets when the waves were tame.



Her mother an invalid, helpless and frail

Her brother a fisher by trade

Her sisters were small, and caring for all

She tended the light, commandeering the squall

From the height of the granite stockade.



Then roll ye tides, ye tides roll on

On this fine New England morning.

And may I live till another day

New England's my home!



The Keeper departed to purchase supplies

"I'll depend on you, Abbie," he cried

He leapt aboard as the billows roared

And the northeast wailed a toccata chord

In tune with the turbulent tide.



Merciless was the crescendo of surf

Flooding the weather-worn ground

Combating the gale was brave Abigail

Who tireless worked till fair weather prevailed

So only their voices were drowned.



Then roll ye tides, ye tides roll on

On this fine New England morning.

And may I live till another day

New England's my home!



A schooner whisked her father home

Across the weary brine

She murmured near the Keeper's ear

"A guiding force sustained us here:

It was God's strength, not-mine."



Mariners wafted a chantey of praise

For the maiden of dauntless cheer

The penitent calm brought a soothing balm

The lapping of waves like a rhythmic psalm

And the ocean a sonneteer.



Then roll ye tides, ye tides roll on

On this fine New England morning.

And may I live till another day

New England's my home!



The lighthouse beamed from Matinicus Rock

Echoed the mariner's peal

The message it sent to the ages meant

That a dutiful life is a monument

Much greater than granite and steel.



Then roll ye tides, ye tides roll on

On this fine New England morning.

And hoist a glass to the bonnie lass

O this fine New England day!