Small Boat (A Sailor's Prayer)
An original piece recorded live at the Savannah Folk Music Society several years ago. The song is based on a single line known as the sailor's prayer.
Thanks for looking! I decided to set this account up just for fun. I'm purely an amateur musician, but enjoy it enough to dabble now and again in a little songwriting. I would love any constructive critiques about my work. I hope you enjoy what you hear.
Story behind the song
This song is a blend of my leanings toward Irish folk and contemporary Christian music. I've always loved the allegory that life is much like a voyage at sea.
Lyrics
A Small Boat
By: Patrick McGuire
Clouds hanging in a crimson sky lie low upon the sea. A chill wind stirs the sand
I've traveled far on solid ground, drawn comfort from the earth.
But now I stand unsure, uncertain at the edge of my known land.
Frozen to the shore, I stare across the rolling waves.
All throughout my life, no one has ever called me less than brave.
Although within my chest a steady heart has heard your call,
Your sea is just so very vast, and oh my God, my boat so very small.
I glance again to see a shore that's quickly fading far behind.
Again I long for what I've known.
Determination holds the tiller firmly outward bound to find a bearing for the oath I own:
A pledge that binds the fears within my mind.
I said that I would follow where you led throughout my days.
I honor that commitment; though I'm wary of the means and ways.
I'm just a man whose only view is water covers all.
This ocean is immense my Lord, and my boat really is so very small.
Once again I've been soaked through by yet another blinding squall
With roguish waves off every beam.
And though my craft is sturdy, it was never built to handle this at all.
And yet, despite the rage, it floats, and I sail on for now it seems…
That there are days I'm taken by the beauty of the sea.
I’ve crossed uncharted waters seeing things I never knew could be.
I tell myself safe harbor waits for all that heed your call.
Across this mighty ocean they've named to life I sail on in our boat so small.
