Grace in the Storm

I grew up close to the north-east coast and learned about the bravery of Grace Darling and her father, William, when I was at school. I’ve done my best to use the correct details of the disaster and rescue in September 1938 on the Big Harcar Rocks.
The chorus came to me first. We never know what waters we’ll have to navigate in this life, but we can all hope for someone like Grace in our storm.

Grace in the Storm

A September storm was brewing
As the Forfarshire sailed for Dundee
Seventy souls could do no more than trust
Their fates to the stars and the sea…

The engine failed and sails were no match
For the merciless waves as they pounded & crashed,
Broke the mast, their spirits & the Forfarshire’s back
Upon the rocks
Upon the cruel Harcar rocks.

And we all can be shipwrecked
We all can be weary & worn
May there be brave souls to save us
May we find some Grace,
Find our Grace in the Storm.

Grace Darling awoke before daybreak
Caught sight of the wreck & the souls…
Holding fast for their lives, lashed by sea salt & fear,
Woke her father who said, “We must row”….

So father and daughter set strength to the oars
Gulls cried in the sky & the wild winds roared
Nine lives were saved, brought to safety once more
To the shore
To Longstone Lighthouse’s shore.

And we all can be shipwrecked
We all can be weary & worn
May there be brave souls to save us
May we find some Grace,
Find our Grace in the Storm.

Responses

  1. Paul Fincken 14 May, 2023

    This is beautiful, Suzanne. The imagery is really striking, and I love the way you take it from the particular of the storytelling, to the general of the chorus. Lovely singing, as ever. One of your best, and that’s saying something!

  2. Andy Smith 14 May, 2023

    Loved that. A great song in a folky style. I agree with Paul how the chorus takes on a more general personal note. I also agree that it’s one of your best (of the ones I’ve heard!)

  3. Phil Powell 14 May, 2023

    Ah, lovely person, that was just great. Super story of course. First time I heard the story was on Blue Peter!! Quite happy to hear your singing all day. Yet another good one👌😁

  5. Suzanne Harper 15 May, 2023

    Thank you do much for listening, Paul, Phil, Andy and Cath. So many were lost in that shipwreck. Life can be so random. But Grace and William did what they could., and then some. Theirs is such an inspirational story.

  14. Phil Godsell 23 May, 2023

    I didn’t know you grew up in the North-East! I think we all got told the Grace Darling story at school, and this lovely song is a fitting tribute to a genuine heroine. Your passion is palpable, and your voice rises and falls like the waves. I love the play on words with Grace and Grace, too. Well done, as ever.

  21. Graham Larkin 30 May, 2023

    Gorgeous Suzanne. Really captures the atmosphere and the lyrics as usual are beautifully concise and poetic. It says a lot in such a short time.Love the way you relate it to us in the present at the end. Well done again.

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