Sunday, January 3, 2010

Scout Vespers (Bonus)


To the tune Lauriger Horatius, which is the tune of "O Tannenbaum" ("O Christmas Tree")
Lauriger Horatius = "Laurel-crowned Horatio"? Latin scholars please advise.*

Vesper (also latin) means 'evening', and in English is what you call an evening prayer service, or, by extension I think, a song that you sing at or perhaps in lieu of a prayer service. In this case it's something to be sung at the end of a campfire gathering.

D - - A7 B7 - / - Em - A7 - D / - - - A7 B7 - / - Em - A7 - D
D - G - Em - / - A7 - - D - / - - - A7 B7 - / - Em - A7 - D

A traditional scouting song (Boy Scouts' song).
Lyrics from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scout_vespers

Original Scout Vespers:

Softly falls the light of day,
As our campfire fades away.
Silently each Scout should ask,
"Have I done my daily task?
Have I kept my honor bright?
Can I guiltless sleep tonight?
Have I done and have I dared,
Everything to Be Prepared?"

Listen Lord, oh listen Lord,
As I whisper soft and low.
Bless my mom and bless my dad,
These are things that they should know.
I will keep my honor bright,
The Oath and Law will be my guide.
And Mom and Dad this you should know,
Deep in my heart I love you so.

Second Version:

Quietly we join as one,
Thanking God for Scouting fun.
May we now go on our way,
Thankful for another day.
May we always love and share,
Living in peace beyond compare.
As Scouts may we find,
Friendships true with all mankind.

Quietly we now will part,
Pledging ever in our heart,
To strive to do our best each day,
As we travel down life's way.
Happiness we'll try to give,
Trying a better life to live.
Till all the world be joined in love,
Living in peace under skies above.

Cub Scout Version:

As the night comes to this land
On my promise I will stand
I will help the pack to go
As our pack helps me to grow
Yes, I'll always give goodwill
I'll follow my Akela still
And before I stop to rest
I will do my very best

*Actually, scratch that, I've found out. Turns out I was right (yay.) Here are links to all you need to know, including Latin words and sheet music:
https://jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/handle/1774.2/4351
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/images/modeng/public/PaxHand/PaxHaf05.jpg

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