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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 28, 1889)
490 WEST SHORE. i .1 . . tJjC. K m mm M r "1 : VAlkVNr H 1 .tfH 111 . ymr W a U - " hit' n rrvs " We have weathered the storm," the captain said, " I can tee the harbor light, And thoM touting wavM point out the bar, We ihall deep at home to-night." And the seamen smiled at the captain's words And thought of their firesides warm, And the waiting wives on the nearing shore, That haven from wind and storm. But the sun sank down in angry clouds, And never a gleaming star Shown through the fog, while mountain high Rolled the waves on the harbor bar. None heard the shrieks from drowning lips, O'er the breakers' awful roar, But the longing eyes on the shore shall see The good ship never more ; And never a dead face floated up On the ocean's heavy swell, For the treacherous sand of the harbor bar Iloldeth Its lecreM well. Not a soul was saved the sad, sad news To caty to friends afar. Some bits of wreck, and the tale was told " Gone down on the harbor bar." P i' fife J " We are almost there," the fisherman cried, " And we shall be glad, my men, To ride in the harbor snug and safe, Away from the storms again," And the fisherman smiled at his happy luck. And counted his treasures o'er, And thought of the warm hearts waiting now To welcome him back to shore. God help the fishermen I seamen bold, For the winds blow wild and far, And between the boat and the lights of home, Break the waves on the harbor bar. And the days shall pass and storms shall sweep, But never, ah, nevermore, In the harbor snug and the harbor safe Shall the fisher-boat touch the shore; For the waves toss high and fog horns blow, And never a pitying star Looks down to weep o'er the awful fute, " Capsized on the harbor bar." Alas I for the ships with snowy sails That have skimmed the ocean o'er, And the steamers with precious hnman freight, That have braved the breakers roar To sink in the sight of home and hope, While winds blow wild and far, And mountain waves shriek out the tale " Wrecked on the harbor bar." Alas I for the wives that weep alone In the deeohted home, And the eyes that are dim from watching long For the ships that never come. Ah I when the sea gives np 1U dead At the sound of the trump afar, Many a loyal heart and true Will rise from the harbor bar. Mas. C. R. Minkiir. lit -dPP