Voyager upon life's sea, <br />To yourself be true, <br />And where'er your lot may be <br />Paddle your own canoe. <br />Never, though the winds may rave, <br />Falter nor look back; <br />But upon the darkest wave <br />Leave a shinning track. <br /> <br />Nobly dare the wildest storm, <br />Stem the hardest gale; <br />Brave of heart and strong of arm, <br />You will never fail. <br />When the world is cold and dark, <br />Keep an aim in view, <br />And toward the beacon mark <br />Paddle your own canoe. <br /> <br />Every wave that bears you on <br />To the silent shore, <br />From its sunny source has gone <br />To return no more. <br />Then let not an hour's delay <br />Cheat you of your due; <br />But, while it is called today, <br />Paddle your own canoe. <br /> <br />If your birth denied you wealth, <br />loftly state and power; <br />Honest fame and hardy health <br />Are a better dower. <br />But if these will not suffice, <br />Golden gain pursue; <br />And, to win the glittering prize, <br />Paddle your own canoe. <br /> <br />Would you wrest the wreath of fame <br />From the hand of fate? <br />Would you write a deathless name <br />With the good and the great? <br />Would you bless your fellow-men? <br />Heart and soul inbue <br />With the holy task, and then <br />Paddle your own canoe. <br /> <br />Would you crush the tyrant wrong, <br />In the world's free fight? <br />With a spirit brave and strong, <br />Battle for the right; <br />And to break the chains that bind <br />The many to the few, <br />To enfranchise slavish mind- <br />Paddle your own canoe, <br /> <br />Nothing great is lightly won; <br />Nothing won is lost; <br />Every good deed is nobly done, <br />Will repay the cost. <br />Leave to Heaven, in humble trust, <br />All you will do; <br />But if you succeed, you must <br />Paddle your own canoe.<br /><br />Sarah T. Bolton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/paddle-your-own-canoe-2/
