Edward Caswall: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

A Narrow Brooklet

Edward Caswall

“A Narrow Brooklet” as printed in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853).

Edward Caswall: Collected Lyrics Text 5 1853 · historical text
Public domainHymnSacred song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from A First Series of Hymns and Songs, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

A narrow brooklet ill befits

The ship in gallant trim,

When bound across the ocean waves,

With precious freight to swim.

Verse 2

So, too, the heart confined to earth

A stranded object lies,

Meant by its Maker to maintain

Communion with the skies.

Verse 3

Oh, my poor bark, so long aground,

Expand thy drooping sail,

Forsake this narrow inland coast,

And catch the open gale.

Verse 4

It ill becomes thine origin,

Thy destiny sublime,

To stay immers'd in vanities

Upon the shore of time.

Verse 5

Let not a shallow earthly pool

That noble keel detain;

'Tis bound with precious freight to cross

Th' illimitable main.

Credits

Written by Edward Caswall

Words by Edward Caswall. Historical text published in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853), “A Narrow Brooklet”

Every text in this 1853 collection is by Henry Formby (1816-1884), who died more than 140 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide; the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-26. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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