The Loss of The Venus Star
W.I.
COME fishermen all and lend an ear,
And hear a melancholy tale,
About seven men not old in years,
Who in Portessie town did dwell.
It was the boat "The Venus Star,"
And William Smith the skipper's name
They launched into the deep afar,
But never to return again.
His partner was his brother John,
Who always proved a brother true;
James Smith "Latin" and John Smith,
They were loving brothers too.
William Pirrie, newly married
Only three short months before,
Has left his widowed wife to mourn
For him who shall return no more.
George M'ktosh was aged nineteen,
His widowed mother's whole support,
And John M'Kenzie much the same-
We hope they're in the heavenly port.
On Thursday they went all to sea
With willing hearts to earn their bread;
Left loving wives and mothers dear
Who little thought to mourn their dead,
On Friday night a storm arose
And swept along our coast so fierce-
On Saturday the waves were high,
And friends at home had little peace.
News did come from missing ones
From distant near and distant far,
But all the news that we could hear-
No tidings of "The Venus Star."
On Sunday morn with anxious tread
We waited patiently with fear,
When tidings reached us from Burghead-
Some wreck ashore, they've perished here.
This startling news soon spread abroad-
Filled every feeling heart with grief;
Oh, Lord, thou know'st the wounded heart,
And will send comfort and relief.
Now let us all a warning take
From this distressing case,
For time is short-we know not when
He'll call us from this place.
They all were in the bloom of live,
And looking for a brighter day
But the stormy wave washed overboard,
And swept them all away.
Dry up your tears ye loving wives,
Ye children and ye parents dear,
Ye sisters and ye brothers too-
We're gone before, and do not fear.
We were but for a moment lent,
Our time on earth was surely spent;
Trust only in the Saviour's name-
Farewell dear fiends, we'll meet again.
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