On Friday, life was kind to me,
My heart was calm and free;
A loving wife, a happy home,
A faithful family.

My children walked the gospel road,
My work had brought me pride;
The sun seemed warm, the future bright,
With heaven on my side.

I asked my friends and family,
“Come fishing, if you will.”
But each one said, “Not this time,”
So I went alone. That fit me still.

I drove my faithful 4Runner
To Henrys Lake that night;
The stars were glowing overhead,
The cabins winked with light.

I fished beneath the western stars
Darkness filled the sky;
The water whispered to the shore,
The gentle night slipped by.

Chorus
Oh, Henrys Lake, so dark and cold,
You taught me life is dear;
One moment, I was safe and warm,
The next I fought with fear.
I thought that I was strong enough
To face the wind and waves;
But mercy stayed beside me there—
In fact, my life was saved.

The trout were slow, the wind grew strong,
White caps began to rise;
My mighty boat climbed up and down
Beneath the churning sky.

A curtain snapped against the wind,
Cold rain came blowing through;
I reached to fasten one of them—
A simple thing to do.

I leaned to snap the curtain tight;
The boat rolled with the swell.
I lost my balance in the storm
And in the lake I fell.

The October water stole my breath,
The black waves rose around;
I grabbed the railing of my boat—
There was no solid ground.

I thought, “I must be two miles
From shore across the lake.
I have to climb aboard this boat;
My strength may soon forsake.”

I worked my way from hand to hand,
My strength was growing thin;
I feared if once my fingers slipped,
I could never win.

Chorus
Oh, Henrys Lake, so dark and cold,
You taught me life is dear;
One moment I was safe and warm,
The next I fought with fear.
I thought that I was strong enough
To face the wind and wave;
But mercy stayed beside me there—
And God my life did save.

I reached the lower stern at last
And pulled with all my might;
My chest came slowly o'er the side—
I would not lose this fight.

An inch by inch, a breath by breath,
I dragged myself aboard;
Then lay there gasping in the boat,
Exhausted and restored.

I waited for a heart attack,
Convinced that one might come;
But slowly I regained my breath—
My heart kept beating on.

I fished awhile, but soon I knew
My mind was not quite clear;
My shaking hands and dizzy head
Still carried shock and fear.

I pointed toward the county dock
And called the night complete;
The lake had taught a lesson there
That I would not repeat.

Final Chorus
Oh, Henrys Lake, so dark and cold,
You taught me life is dear;
How quickly calm can turn to storm,
How quickly death draws near.
I'll wear my life jacket from now on,
Whatever winds may be;
And thank the Lord my loving wife
Still has her husband—me.

I came back home a wiser man,
With one more tale to tell:
Life may be strong on Friday morn,
But turned into a taste of Hell.

So cherish wife and family,
Give thanks for every breath;
For life is precious partly because
We've walked so near to death.