Voyager upon life's sea, <br />To yourself be true, <br />And whatever your lot may be, <br />Paddle your own canoe. <br />Never, though the winds may rave, <br />Falter or look back; <br />But upon the darkest wave <br />Leave a shining track. <br />Paddle your own canoe. <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 your aim in view; <br />And toward the beacon work, <br />Paddle your own canoe. ... <br /> <br />..Would you crush the giant 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 />Nothing great is lightly won, <br />Nothing won is lost, <br />Every good deed, nobly done, <br />Will repay the cost. <br />Leave to Heaven, in humble trust, <br />All you will to do: <br />But if succeed, you must <br />Paddle your own canoe.<br /><br />Sarah Knowles Bolton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/paddle-your-own-canoe/
