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While on the Sea (UKRAINE) – handbell solo

The hymn While on the Sea, paired with the melody UKRAINE, describes our lives as if we were navigating a great ocean in a small boat. The waves are large, and threaten us continually. The water is unfathomably deep, and we fear what might happen if we were dumped into it. And so we pray to God for protection and safety, for He is our hope.

This Ukrainian folk hymn was translated to English by the missionary Stephan Bilak. Its title in Ukrainian is “перебуваючи на морі”.

English

While on the sea hear the terrible roaring;
See how the boat of my life rolls with me;
In fear of death and in deepest of anguish.
Lord, hear my prayer; watch my soul on the sea.

Save me, O merciful Father, forgive me;
How as my life with its ending I see.
My youthful strength has been spent in the battle.
Lord, now I beg You, have mercy on me.

I have no strength left to aid on my journey;
Help me to reach that fair land past the sea;
Help me to travel to my native country.
Lord now I beg You, have mercy on me.

(This translation ©1974 ACU Press)

 Russian:

Страшно бушует житейское море,
Сильные волны качают ладью.
 :,: В ужасе смертном, в отчаянном горе:
«Боже, мой Боже!» – к Тебе вопию. :,:

Сжалься над мною, спаси и помилуй!
С первых дней жизни я страшно борюсь.
 :,: Больше бороться уж мне не под силу: «Боже, мой Боже!» – Тебе я молюсь. :,:

К пристани тихой Твоих повелений
Путь мой направь и меня успокой.
 :,: И из пучины житейских волнений
К берегу выведи, Боже благой!

Please note: This solo version uses the same accompaniment as the arrangement for eight handbells, so the score is available (with the accompaniment MP3) on the webpage for the eight-bell version).

The eight bells in the score are accompanied by piano; if you don’t happen to have an accompanist available, we also have an accompaniment MP3 available for purchase.

Bells used: G5, A5, Bb5, C6, D6, Eb6, F6, G6 (plus optional A6, Bb6, C7, D7, Eb7, F7, G7)
Key: G minor

Hymn tune: UKRAINE
Find metrically-matched hymn texts

Video for the eight-bell version:

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