THROW OUT THE LIFE-LINE

"He was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" Matthew 14:29-31

Words: Edwin Smith Ufford, 1888. The inspiration for this hymn came from a life saving drill which Ufford observed at Point Allerton, near Boston, Massachusetts. He wrote the words and music shortly after returning home.
Music: Edwin S. Ufford; arranged by George Coles Stebbins, 1890.

Throw out the life-line across the dark wave;
There is a brother whom someone should save;
Somebody's brother! O who then will dare
To throw out the life-line, his peril to share?

Refrain

Throw out the life-line! Throw out the life-line!
Someone is drifting away;
Throw out the life-line! Throw out the life-line!
Someone is sinking today

Throw out the life-line with hand quick and strong:
Why do you tarry, why linger so long?
See! he is sinking; oh, hasten today
And out with the life boat! away, then away!

Refrain

Throw out the life-line to danger fraught men,
Sinking in anguish where you've never been;
Winds of temptation and billows of woe
Will soon hurl them out where the dark waters flow.

Refrain

Soon will the season of rescue be o'er,
Soon will they drift to eternity's shore;
Haste, then, my brother, no time for delay,
But throw out the life-line and save them today.

Refrain

This is the Life-line, oh, tempest-tossed men;
Baffled by waves of temptation and sin;
Wild winds of passion, your strength cannot brave,
Jesus is mighty, Jesus can save.

Refrain

Jesus is able! To you who are driv'n,
Farther and farther from God and from Heav'n;
Helpless and hopeless, o'erwhelmed by the wave;
We throw out the life-line, 'tis "Jesus can save."

Refrain

This is the life-line, oh, grasp it today!
See, you are recklessly drifting away;
Voices in warning, shout o'er the wave,
Grasp the strong life-line, for Jesus can save.