And all the way, to guide their chime,
With falling oars they kept the time.

And all the way, to guide their chime,
With falling oars they kept the time.

Like watermen who look astern while they row the boat ahead.

Like watermen who look astern while they row the boat ahead.

We lie and listen to the hissing waves,
Wherein our boat seems sharpening its keel,
Which on read more

We lie and listen to the hissing waves,
Wherein our boat seems sharpening its keel,
Which on the sea's face all unthankful graves
An arrowed scratch as with a tool of steel.

Gracefully, gracefully glides our bark
On the bosom of Father Thames,
And before her bows the wavelets read more

Gracefully, gracefully glides our bark
On the bosom of Father Thames,
And before her bows the wavelets dark
Break into a thousand gems.

Like the watermen who advance forward while they look backward.

Like the watermen who advance forward while they look backward.

On the ear
Drops the light drip of the suspended oar.

On the ear
Drops the light drip of the suspended oar.

But oars alone can ne'er prevail
To reach the distant coast;
The breath of Heaven must swell read more

But oars alone can ne'er prevail
To reach the distant coast;
The breath of Heaven must swell the sail,
Or all the toil is lost.

Learn of the little nautilus to sail,
Spread the thin oar, and catch the driving gale.

Learn of the little nautilus to sail,
Spread the thin oar, and catch the driving gale.

Oh, swiftly glides the bonnie boat.
Just parted from the shore,
And to the fisher's chorus-note,
read more

Oh, swiftly glides the bonnie boat.
Just parted from the shore,
And to the fisher's chorus-note,
Soft moves the dipping oar!