The Voyage of St. Brendan [Lyric Video]

We chose to write new words to the old tune, "Roll the Old Chariot," one of my absolutely favorite sea songs out there. Hope you enjoy this rendition!

———

LYRICS:

Well we'll be alright, if the LORD be on our side!
We'll be alright, if the LORD be on our side!
We'll be alright, if the LORD be on our side!
And the LORD, he's on our side!

And we all belong to Jerusalem above
We all belong to Jerusalem above
We all belong to Jerusalem above
And we sail for Eden's shores

And we'll be alright, if the LORD, he be our strength!
We'll be alright, if the LORD, he be our strength!
We'll be alright, if the LORD, he be our strength!
We'll be alright, if the LORD, he be our strength!
And the LORD, he is our strength!

And we all belong to Jerusalem above
We all belong to Jerusalem above
We all belong to Jerusalem above
And we sail for Eden's shores

We'll be sharpening the axe to cut down old Donar's oak!
We'll be sharpening the axe to cut down old Donar's oak!
We'll be sharpening the axe to cut down old Donar's oak!
For the LORD, he’s stronger, far!

And we all belong to Jerusalem above
We all belong to Jerusalem above
We all belong to Jerusalem above
And we sail for Eden's shores

———

[theologynerd]

I love the shanty! I shared it with some brothers and I'll be singing it all the time at work.

[AstroMonkey]

We need more of these shanty/work type of hymns. This reminds me of Battle Hymn of the Republic as it is an encouragement to march on for the LORD.

[xUncleAx]

I love that this has chopping down Donar's Oak! The Holy Trinity, Yahweh our God, is so much greater than the pagan gods of old!

[erikawoods]

Added to our morning worship, a huge encouragement to my son.

[adamleu]

My children want to listen to this over and over. Just discovered your music and really like all you do!

[MichaelwH]

Everyone who was at County Before Country '22 is now singing this song back at home and introducing to others.

[brockd]

Nice one....best school song I've heard.

[PilgrimsHandle]

I used to sing this on the back of a tender boat in an Alaskan fishing contract in 23'

[oscarr]

Introduced my wife to your music. She absolutely loves it! Thank you for making music (and worship music) great!

[chelseamatchett]

My kids keep asking to hear this and we all keep walking around singing it 🙌

[kevingodinho]

Overheard my 2.5 year old chanting this to himself yesterday. I have 4 little kids and they love this song!

[idahoduckhunter]

I've alwasy loved sea shanties and the harmonies and rhythms. I've also wondered what it'd sound like to have a Christian themed one. I'm a little fascinated by the idea that all melodies and songs can be redeemed.

[HappySlaveOfChrist]

We need more songs like these. I want to sing this in a large group at the Capitol on Abolition Day.

[benruppert]

This is fantastic. May the Lord prosper your school.

[joys.]

Just found this song today, and I love it! Sounds like the perfect song to sing while working.

[adamgrimes]

Greatness. I’m working on a version for our men’s group to sing around the fire.

1.
Oh, we'd be alright if the Lord was on our side
We'd be alright if the Lord was on our side
We'd be alright if the Lord was on our side
And we'll all hang on behind...
 
And He'll ro-o-oll the ol’ chariot along!
He'll ro-o-oll the ol’ chariot along!
He'll ro-o-oll the ol’ chariot along!
And we'll all hang on behind!

2.
Oh, we'd be alright if we make it to our Home
We'd be alright if we make it to our Home
We'd be alright if we make it to our Home
And we'll all hang on behind...

And He'll ro-o-oll the ol’ chariot along!
He'll ro-o-oll the ol’ chariot along!
He'll ro-o-oll the ol’ chariot along!
And we'll all hang on behind!

3.
Well, another Lord’s Day rest wouldn’t do us any harm
Another Lord’s Day rest wouldn’t do us any harm
Another Lord’s Day rest wouldn’t do us any harm
And we'll all hang on behind...

And He'll ro-o-oll the ol’ chariot along!
He'll ro-o-oll the ol’ chariot along!
He'll ro-o-oll the ol’ chariot along!
And we'll all hang on behind!

4.
Well, another call for grace wouldn’t do us any harm
Another call for grace wouldn’t do us any harm
Another call for grace wouldn’t do us any harm
And we'll all hang on behind!

.5
Well, we’re more than conquerors through the One who loved us so
We’re more than conquerors through the One who loved us so
We’re more than conquerors through the One who loved us so

And He'll ro-o-oll the ol’ chariot along!
He'll ro-o-oll the ol’ chariot along!
He'll ro-o-oll the ol’ chariot along!
And we'll all hang on behind!

[thecelticchristiantraditio]

My family came from Ogden and the area around. That side of the family are Winwards.

[brhodes]

Why do I get the feeling that somebody is a big fan of the Ashtown Burial series? :D This is outstanding.

[AbigailYork]

Could you have a video of your school singing it?

[ReformedGilbert]

Excellent Brian, you've combined two of my fav things!