In response to:
Jane said
January 16, 2011 at 10:56 am e
Do you by any chance know who wrote the poem Speed Speed the temperance ship? I can’t seem to find it anywhere.
Thank you for your time
The New temperance melodist: consisting of glees, songs, and pieces …
By Stephen Hubbard
The song set to music is in this collection by Stephen Hubbard set to Music by LENOX.
On further examination, I tend to think it is sung to the tune of “Lenox” rather than being written by someone called Lenox. I wonder what LENOX was.
It is also found in a Collection by Marsh in 1841 ( see post below).
Neither claims to have written the lyrics or poem as far as I can see.
FROM HUBBARD’S BOOK. 1859.
THE TEMPERANCE SHIP.
Tune, "Lenox."
1. Speed, speed the temp’rance ship 1 Ye winds fill every sail, Be
tempest’s fury she outbraves,And hosts of death – less drunkards saves.
The
Speed, speed the temperance ship I
Ye winds fill every sail,
Behold her on the deep,Outriding every gale,
The tempest’s fury she outbraves,
And hosts of deathless drunkards saves.Speed, speed the Temperance ship!
Who joins us in the cry ?
Mothers O cease to weep,Our ship is passing by,
We wish to take you all on board,
A freight of mercy to the Lord.Speed, speed the Temperance ship!
For her we’ll ever pray,
‘Tis Israel’s God can keepIn safety, night and day ;
On him we’ll evermore depend
Who is the contrite drunkard’s friend.Speed, speed the Temperance ship!
Ye young and aged shout, Behold her on the deep!
With all her streamers out, Bound for the true tee-total shore, Where streams of death are drank no more.
HUBBARD – TEMPERANCE MELODIST 1852
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Google Books also have the MARSH 1841 words without music.
Temperance hymn book and minstrel: a collection of hymns, songs and odes …
By John Marsh
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MELINDA KENDALL : HER LIFE AND WRITINGS 