safe home safe home in port

safe home, safe home in port!
rent cordage, shattered deck,
torn sails, provisions short,
and only not a wreck;
but oh! the joy upon the shore
to tell our voyage perils o’er!

the prize, the prize secure!
the athlete nearly fell;
bare all he could endure,
and bare not always well;
but he may smile at troubles gone
who sets the victor-garland on.

no more the foe can harm;
no more of leaguered camp,
and cry of night alarm,
and need of ready lamp;
and yet how nearly he had failed
how nearly had that foe prevailed!

the lamb is in the fold,
in perfect safety penned;
the lion once had hold,
and thought to make an end;
but one came by with wounded side,
and for the sheep the shepherd died.

the exile is at home!
o nights and days of tears,
o longings not to roam,
o sins and doubts and fears;
what matters now grief’s darkest day?
the king has wiped those tears away.