I found an old letter caught under a stone
By the sea in the lee of the cliffs, all alone
Its pages were tattered from where it had blown
To land from the hand of a sailor, unknown
There by the coast of Sierra Leone

Dear Friend, it read, I’ve missed you, you know
When you walked and you talked with me so long ago
I shoved you aside as I rushed to and fro
Friend, my old friend, who never let go


CHORUS 
Friend, my old friend, who looked out for me
Through squalls and long hauls while I sailed the sea
I need your watchful eye at the prow
I know that You know I’m kneeling here now

My ship hugs the rocks, and the gale’s my back door
Lashing and smashing and waging its war
My crew man the lifeboat, please see them ashore
All told, it won’t hold even one person more
Here by Sierra Leone’s rocky floor

Forgive my neglect, old Friend, it was my loss
I wait for my fate as the ship starts to toss
I feel the cold waters, I see the dark moss
Will I sail through this gale or to heaven on a cross?

CHORUS
Friend, my old friend, who looked out for me
Through squalls and long hauls while I sailed the sea
I’ll take the wheel if you’ll ride the bow
You know that I know You’re standing here now

As I stood on the rocks of Sierra Leon
By the sea, the blue sea of Sierra Leone
Close by the spot where the letter had blown
And thought for naught of the sailor, unknown.
There by the coast of Sierra Leone

I saw old letters carved into the stone
By the sea, the blue sea of Sierra Leone
Thank you, old Friend, just those words, alone
Carved there like a prayer by a sailor, unknown
Here on the coast of Sierra Leone
Here by the hand of a sailor, unknown

lyrics: Jean James
music: Mary James & Jean James