Old Ship of Zion

Ralph Stanley

Key of G · Chords: I II IV V

Verse 1

G                     D            C
I was standing on the banks of the river
G                D               A
Looking out over life's troubled sea
G                   D             C
When I saw that ole ship that was sailing
            G           D      G
Is that the ole ship of Zion I see.

Verse 2

G            D        C
Its hull was bent and battered
G                  D            A
From the storms of life I could see
G                         D             C
Waves were rough but that ole ship kept sailing
            G           D      G
Is that the ole ship of Zion I see.

Verse 3

G                   D              C
At the stern of the ship stood the captain
G                  D             A
I could hear as he called out my name
G                     D           C
Get on board it's the ole ship of Zion
        G          D        G
It will never pass this way again

Verse 4

G            D             C
As I step on board I'll be leaving
G                  D          A
All my sorrows and heartaches behind
G                 D         C
I'll be safe with Jesus the captain
        G          D           D
Sailing out on the ole ship of Zion.