Paddlers' Prayers

JPTolson · 03-07-2011, 08:13 PM

TCT,

Recently a woman from a paddling club that I formerly belonged to passed away, and others who knew her have been posting a few of her humorous contributions to club newsletters over the years. In view of the good-natured canoe vs. kayak trash talking in our club, the "prayers" below were too good not to post here.

Her name was Alison Snow Jones. She had a gift for words, and she shared this Paddler's prayer many years ago.

Enjoy!

++++++++++++++++++

Canoeists - Help us, O Lord, to finish this thy bounty of sandwiches and beers, which we are about to receive from the cooler, beneath thy cookies and chips,

Amen.

Kayakers - Help me, O Lord, to extract this thy gift, a smashed Powerbar, which I struggle to retrieve from the stern of my kayak, through contortions and blind grasping,

Amen.
++++++++++++++++++++++
She also did a paddler's parody of Amazing Grace...

Amazing brace, how sweet the blade
That saved a wretch like me.
I once have flipped, but now am safe,
Was wet, but now I’m free.
‘Twas holes that taught my heart to fear
And brace my fears relieved;
How precious did that brace appear,
My God, I feel reprieved.
Through many eddies, holes, and waves,
I have already come.
‘Tis brace hath brought me safe thus far
And brace will get me home.
When I’ve been down ten thousand streams,
And had successful runs,
I’ve no less days to learn to roll,
But brace sure makes it fun!

clipper1 · 03-08-2011, 08:05 AM

Very wise and spiritual woman, regret that I never paddled with her.

BOBK · 03-09-2011, 05:37 PM

May the spirits that inhabit all of nature allow us safe passage as we travel peacefully, as friends, through the homes of our earthly brothers.

03-07-2011, 08:13 PM	#1
JPTolson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Salem, Ohio Posts: 902 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Paddlers' Prayers TCT, Recently a woman from a paddling club that I formerly belonged to passed away, and others who knew her have been posting a few of her humorous contributions to club newsletters over the years. In view of the good-natured canoe vs. kayak trash talking in our club, the "prayers" below were too good not to post here. Her name was Alison Snow Jones. She had a gift for words, and she shared this Paddler's prayer many years ago. Enjoy! ++++++++++++++++++ Canoeists - Help us, O Lord, to finish this thy bounty of sandwiches and beers, which we are about to receive from the cooler, beneath thy cookies and chips, Amen. Kayakers - Help me, O Lord, to extract this thy gift, a smashed Powerbar, which I struggle to retrieve from the stern of my kayak, through contortions and blind grasping, Amen. ++++++++++++++++++++++ She also did a paddler's parody of Amazing Grace... Amazing brace, how sweet the blade That saved a wretch like me. I once have flipped, but now am safe, Was wet, but now I’m free. ‘Twas holes that taught my heart to fear And brace my fears relieved; How precious did that brace appear, My God, I feel reprieved. Through many eddies, holes, and waves, I have already come. ‘Tis brace hath brought me safe thus far And brace will get me home. When I’ve been down ten thousand streams, And had successful runs, I’ve no less days to learn to roll, But brace sure makes it fun! Last edited by JPTolson; 03-07-2011 at 08:20 PM.

03-08-2011, 08:05 AM	#2
clipper1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Madison, on the Grand River Posts: 107 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Paddler's Prayers Very wise and spiritual woman, regret that I never paddled with her.

03-09-2011, 05:37 PM	#3
BOBK Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 227 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	May the spirits that inhabit all of nature allow us safe passage as we travel peacefully, as friends, through the homes of our earthly brothers. __________________ BOBK <IIOX> KAYAK - Backwards or forwards, the only way to paddle.