The sea grew rougher, till Jonah did cry,
"It's all my fault, cast me down, let me die!"
They tried to row back but could not prevail;
Threw Jonah over; the waves then grew still.

Then God sent forth a great fish; it swallowed him alive.
For three days from its stomach, he prayed to God on high.
He gave up worthless idols; with thanks he spoke this word:
"What I have vowed I will make good;
Salvation's from the Lord."

God told the fish to spit Jonah back out;
Then said to Jonah, "To Nin'veh set out."
Jonah obeyed and proclaimed all God's word:
"Forty more days, then you'll all be destroyed!"

The people all believed God; they fasted and they prayed.
In sackcloth they repented, gave up their evil ways.
When God saw their repentance, he felt compassion great.
He turned from his fierce anger and
Did not fulfill his threat.

Jonah was angry that God would forgive;
Said, "Lord, please kill me, I don't want to live."
Then he went outside the city to see
What God would do, what the outcome would be.

God sent a vine to shade him, but then he sent a worm.
The vine did quickly wither; the wind and sun did burn.
In anger Jonah cried out; he thought his life should end.
God said, "Ye cared about the vine;
Should I not care for men?"

Lord, when a mission ye give unto me,
May I obey Thee and not try to flee.
Thou art so gracious, compassionate Thou,
Slow to get angry, abounding in love.