William Preston Johnston - Simon Bar-Jona lyrics

BARE-KNEED he waded in the reedy lake, Or pushed his scallop further from the shore, Or hoisted sail where rougher waters break, With stalwart arms that plied the bladed oar And shoulders galled with teh huge loads they bore. But still beneath their pent house gleamed dark eyes With lambent fire, and his stern visage wore The signs of thought that spreads its wings and flies. But why to him should come the glad surprise? Why should he be Messiah's chosen friend,-- This fisherman of bleak Gennesaret-- Bidden henceforth for men to cast his net? The Lord whose kingdom comes and knows no end Discerns His own through nature's thin disguise.