Hymn “Eternal father, strong to save”: Wells Cathedral 1986 (Anthony Crossland)

From a commercial audio cassette recorded in January 1986, with the choir of Wells Cathedral, directed by Anthony Crossland, and Christopher Brayne (organ). The words of the hymn are by William Whiting (1860). The tune is “Melita”, by John Bacchus Dykes (1861). Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm doth bind the restless wave, Who bidst the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep; O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea. O Saviour, whose almighty word The winds and waves submissive heard, Who walkedst on the foaming deep, And calm amid its rage didst sleep; O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea. O sacred Spirit, who didst brood Upon the chaos dark and rude, Or bad’st its angry tumult cease, And gavest light and life and peace; O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea. O Trinity of love and pow’r, Our brethren’s shield in danger’s hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them wheresoe’er they go; And ever let there rise to Thee Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.