Voyager upon life’s sea,
To yourself be true!
And what e’er your lot may be,
Paddle your own canoe!
Never though the winds may rave,
Falter, nor look back.
But upon the darkest wave,
Leave a shining track!
Every wave that bears you on
To the silent shore,
From its sunny source has gone
To return no more.
Then let not an hour’s delay
Cheat you of your due;
But, while it is call’d today
Paddle your own canoe.
Nothing great is lightly won:
Nothing won is lost;
Every good deed nobly done,
Will repay the cost.
Leave to Heaven, in humble trust
All you will to do:
But if you succeed, you must
Paddle your own canoe!
Sarah Bolton, 1851