"O that I could travel, even though on foot... and in the utmost poverty..."- Abdu'l-Bahá

This is from Lessan's thoughtful and intelligent blog.

Pioneer song

One of my favorite songs is the pioneer song by Joanny Lincoln. It evokes memories of life in Cameroon when I was growing up, with its vivid imagery and encouraging words. And one quote from the song, where Joanny says "you only have one life to offer in service" really stands out for me. She also mentioned this concept in a recent talk at the gathering of staff to celebrate achievements, the idea that we only having one life to offer and that we should make the most of it. An understanding of this inspires me in planning for a life of effective, consistent service.

To download the full album (free) visit DivineNotes.com. It is a digitizing of a tape from the 70s, so the quality is not that great, but is quite enjoyable nonetheless.

Here are the lyrics, as far as I could make them out…

Oh well it's 5:30 in the morning
Kids are jumping on our bed
5:30 in the morning
Kids are jumping on our bed

And that strong, brilliant sunshine
That's streaming in our window
That strong, brilliant sunshine
Opens our new day

Birds singing
Roosters crowing
Donkeys braying
People laughing
Chickens squawking
Trucks are rattling
The day is well on its way

Oh well it's 5:30 in the morning
Kids are jumping on our bed already
5:30 in the morning
The day is well on its way

Vines racing up our walls
Flowers pouring over the balcony
Sweet fragrances in the air
Greenness everywhere

And plenty of strong, brilliant sunshine
Streaming in our window
Strong, brilliant sunshine
Opens our new day

Dusty roads
Clusters of huts
Women with loads
High on their heads
Mango trees casting merciful shade
Children run everywhere

Under that strong, brilliant sunshine
Which has opened our new day

Suffering is an integral part
Of Pioneering, says Shoghi Effendi
Strong, brilliant sunshine
Opens our new day
Of suffering
And pain

Away down here in the heart of Africa
We haven't seen a visitor in over a year
It's the end of the world
Where time nearly stops
What are we doing a-here?

What of our careers?
And what of our funds?
Without any job
And living in these rooms
With noise all around
And our kids in this heat
What are we doing a-here?

In the rainy season there's mud all around
There's no hot water
But the cockroaches abound
The leaky roof
Leaves puddles on our floor
What are we doing a-here?

I've had Malaria
You've had Hepatitis
The kids have the runs
Now what'll it be next
Nine solid months
Of tests without a break
What are we doing a-here?

We'll stick together
You and me babe
These tests will pass us by
Just like a parade
If we're supposed to stay
Baha'u'llah will find a way
Ya Baha'u'l-Abha

The fruits of our sufferings
We may not see
But Baha'u'llah knows better than we
So we'll stay at our post
And continue to serve
And that's what we're doing a-here

Patience, patience, perseverance
Patience, patience, perseverance
Patience, patience, perseverance
That's what we're learning a-here

And that strong, brilliant sunshine
Still opens all of our days

It's a new world we're building
It's a new race of men we're striving for
All around this world
Now you only have one life
To offer in service
Anywhere in this world

So go where you're really needed
Go obeying the institutions
Go and do your best to stay
And as your faith is, so shall your powers be
As your faith is, so shall your blessings be
Go to serve your lord, your lord
Go to serve your lord

Unity is the most important
Thing that you're working for
Among the friends and pioneers
Since you only have one life
To offer in service
Leave now or your chance may be no more

Go to lead a full life
Rich in the love of God
Rich in sacrifice and reward
And as your faith is, so shall your powers be
As your faith is, so shall your blessings be
Go to serve your lord, your lord
Go to serve your lord

Well, you know, life is ever so nice here
I'm glad I could come
Well you know, life is ever so nice here
Simple, but real
Simple but real

Matter of fact, you know I wouldn't go back
No, no no no
Matter of fact, you know I couldn't go back
I'd miss it so
I'd miss it so

Well you can have, your chocolate ice-cream
And all your fancy machines
You can have
Your ???? of ???
For it's naught but a dream
For it's naught but a dream

I finally found
The tranquillity
Down in the depths of my soul
And now my heart is here to stay
My bones are here to lay
My bones are here to lay

My bones are here to lay

Oh well its 5:30 in the morning
Kids are jumping on our bed
5:30 in the morning
Kids are jumping on our bed
And that strong, brilliant sunshine
Is streaming in our window
That strong, brilliant sunshine
Still opens all of our days

Birds singing
Roosters crowing
Donkeys braying
People laughing
Chickens squawking
Ducks a quacking