THE TITANIC'S BAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 59, 27 July 1912, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE TITANIC'S BAND.

Down by the. head and sinking, the boats are lowered away; Tearful and sad are.the last farewells, for many behind must stay. "Room for the women and children," 'tis man's proud right to die, So bravely they place their loved ones in and kiss them a fond good-bye.

In the hush of those awful moments, in the face of their certain doom, The 'blackness of night around them, beneath them a watery tomb; Within them a light was shining, so they feared not the hungry sea, For the hand, forming up on a sloping deck, played, "Nearer, my God, to Thee."

"Nearer, my God, to Thee," they play o'er tlieir ocean grave, ''E'en though it be a cross," and the strains float over the wave; Away to the distant boats, scattered wide on the icy sea, And a heart-wrung prayer wings its way to the skv, "Nearer, mv God, to Thee."

Their's was no song of Empire, no vaunt of their country's power, But the simple notes of a sweet old hymn to cheer them in death's dark hour, Calming the ones who had left them, inspiring those who stayed, Down the "ages the tune shall ring that the hand of the liner played.

Britain, the pride of the nations, first on tin; roll of fame, Even thy sons bring laurels to add to thy glorious name; But surely no greater heroes the path of glory trod. Than those who e'en at the gates of death, turned their fellows' thoughts to God.

Fathoms deep in the ocean those gallant lads may lie. Far from their home and kindred, but their fame shall never die. "Greater love hath no man than this," the tniHj of the words we see, For many that night by the band were led, ''Nearer, my God, to Thee."