O, speed thee fair vessel, fly over the sea,

On pinions as light as an eagle's would be;

Be proud of the burden thou bear'st on thy wings--

More precious than rubies--more sacred than kings!

As the eagle bears safely its young to its nest,

As the dove to its window flies home to its rest,

So, safely and swiftly, move over the sea,



With those whose abode in the mountains will be.

Ye winds and ye waves, who our Master obey,

Be careful to waft her in safety away,

To shores which are destined ere long to be free--

As free as the zephyrs--as free as the sea!

Our Father! thou hearest our prayers when our cheers

Ascended, as music, rejoicing thine ears;

Thou sawest how deep were our sympathies then,

O Bless them, and bring us together again!

J. L. Barfoot

BIB: Barfoot, J. L., "The 'Hudson' [poem]," Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 26:26 (June 18, 1864) p. 400. (CHL)
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