The sailor stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as brightly as his brass.
'Step forward now, you Navy man,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my Church have you been true?'

The sailor squared his shoulders and said,
'No Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who shoot the guns,
Can't always be a Saint
I've had to work most every day,
And at times my talk was tough
And sometimes I've violent
'Cause the world and sea is rough'.

'But I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep
I did however tend to swear a lot
When the waves got just to steep
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear
And sometimes, God forgive me
I've wept unmanly tears'

'I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears
If you've a place for me here
Lord, it needn't be so grand
I never expected, or had to much
But if you don't, I'll understand'

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Navy Man waited quietly
For the judgement of his God
'Step forward now, you Sailor
You've born your burdens well
Walk peacefully on Heavens streets
You've done your time in hell'.