Linda Sharron of Methuen
April 26, 2007 02:43 pm
—
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!
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