The Old Ship of Zion
The Old Ship of Zion

Contact information:
Larry Cordle - (615) 830-4765
mightycord@aol.com


Songwriter: T. Dorsey
Publisher: Unichappel Music, Inc.
Lead & baritone vocal-Larry Cordle
Tenor vocal-Don Rigsby
Bass vocal-Bradley Walker

Verse 1:
I was standing on the banks of the river
Looking out over life’s stormy sea
When I saw an old ship that was sailing
Is that the old ship of Zion I see

Verse 2:
It’s hull was all bent and was battered
From the storms of life I could see
Waves were rough but that old ship kept sailing
Is that the old ship of Zion I see

Verse 3:
At the stern of the ship was the captain
I could hear as he called out my name
Get on board it’s the old ship of Zion
It will never pass this way again

Verse 4:
As I step on board I’ll be leaving
All my troubles and trials behind
I’ll be safe with Jesus the captain
Sailing out on the old ship of Zion


One of my Mom & Dad’s favorite Dorsey hymns.. I never paid all that much attention to it, but Mom wanted someone to sing it at her funeral. My cousin, the late Rev. Rick Cordial, did us that great honor in his own inimitable fashion … so bone chilling was his version.
My Mom’s love for the song paired with my Dad’s request for its appearance on this gospel album made it a no brainer . I had planned on it being just a duet between the great Don Rigsby & myself, but I decided to stair step the parts. I couldn’t have Bradley Walker in the
studio & not get him to sing on one more!