Verse 1 In 1812 on the prison ship Fyen at Chatham’s shore, Four men from Stavanger found a Danish Quaker book once more. They read of the Inner Light that shines in every soul, Wrote a letter to the Friends — “Come visit us, make us whole.” Chorus Inner Light, Inner Light, guide us through the night, From a prison ship to freedom’s flight. From Stavanger town to the rolling sea, The Quaker spark set the Sloopers free. Verse 2 William Allen came from England, Stephen Grellet from afar, They brought the quiet truth beneath the prison bar. Thirty souls met three times a week on the Fyen’s wooden deck, Lars Larsen, Elias Tastad, and young Knud Eide among the rest. Verse 3 When the Treaty of Kiel set the captives free, Lars stayed in England with Margaret Allen’s family. Back home in Stavanger, in sixteen he held the very first Quaker meet, In a humble loft where the Friends would greet. Verse 4 But the state church struck hard with fine and with force, Took children for baptism, dug up the dead from their course. Still Cleng Peerson heard the call, spread the word in Finnøy land, Then sailed back from America with hope in his hand. Verse 5 In twenty-five the Restauration crossed the western wave, Lars and Martha’s baby girl was born upon the wave. They named her Margaret after the kind English friend, A tiny Quaker light on the ocean without end. Verse 6 In Kendall, New York, some joined the meeting right away, Others waited — language, distance, and the great 1828 split got in the way. Yet a few stayed true and carried the quiet flame, From prison ship to prairie, the Inner Light remained. Final Chorus (softer) Inner Light, Inner Light, quiet, pure and bright, You planted seeds on that stormy night. From Fyen’s chains to America’s shore, The Sloopers carried the faith forevermore.