Ready For The Storm

The following are lyrics from one of my favorite songs, "Ready For The Storm" by Rich Mullins. The song was written I believe in the late 1970's by Scottish Folk musician Dougie Maclean...The Imagery depicts the rough and tumble seas of an unforgiving North Atlantic. It was originally written as a secular folk song but Mullins turned it into a spiritual Tour De Force basically by playing and recording it. The line "'Til there's nothing left that he can hold...except a rolling ocean", leaves me with chills even now.

Mullins died in a car accident in 1997 but I had a chance to see him in concert around 1988 and I'll never forget the power of that show and particularly this song. So I want to share this powerful testament to faith with you my dear readers. I imagine any one who has wrestled with life and it's problems can relate to the story as told in this song with it's powerful imagery of storms and a raging sea. Unfortunately there isn't any suitable live performance of Mullins doing this song so I included the studio version with lyrical over-lay. It's too bad because he was an incredible performer. I will include another, live version here but it has about a 6 minute story he relates before he begins the tune...I want to include it because it shows his sense of humor and warmth. It really makes me realize what we all lost that day he died...

So here is my brief remembrance of Rich and this song that even today still gives me chills each and every time I hear it...




Ready For The Storm


The waves crash in the tide rolls out
It's an angry sea but there is no doubt
That the lighthouse will keep shining out
To warn a lonely sailor
And the lightning strikes
And the wind cuts cold
Through the sailor's bones
Through the sailor's soul
'Til there's nothing left that he can hold
Except a rolling ocean
Oh I am ready for the storm
Yes sir ready
I am ready for the storm
I'm ready for the storm
Oh give me mercy for my dreams
'Cause every confrontation seems to tell me
What it really means
To be this lonely sailor
And when the sky begins to clear
The sun it melts away my fear
And I shed a silent weary tear
For those who mean to love me
Oh I am ready for the storm
Yes sir ready
I am ready for the storm
I'm ready for the storm
The distance it is no real friend
And time will take its time
And you will find that in the end
It brings you me
This lonely sailor
And when You take me by the hand
And You love me, Lord, You love me
And I should have realized
I had no reasons to be frightened
Oh I am ready for the storm
Yes sir ready
I am ready for the storm
Yes sir ready
I am ready for the storm
Yes sir ready
I am ready for the storm
I'm ready for the storm
[ Lyrics from


Song by Dougie Maclean Rich Mullins Version