PRAYERS AND POEMS FOR SCOUTERS
Thanks
for the Beauty of Children
Cub
Scout Roundtable Planning Guide
We give thanks for the beauty of children and their joy
in all things. For their mirth and laughter, for their compassion and
enjoyment of life, and for the joy and light they bring into the world.
Amen
The Circus,
a
poem in honor of Red's father
Red Skelton
Red
Skelton, one of America's great clowns, talks about an American
tradition - the home of the men of mirth - the Circus, is an ode he wrote,
and recited on his television show. Actually, the poem, "The Circus", is a
tribute to Red's father, a clown, whom Skelton never knew. His father died
two months before Red was born. But the love of clowning, the love of mime
and of the Big Top with all its magic for everyone, is an innate thing with
Skelton.
The circus! The magical
city
That appears and disappears with the bat of an eye.
A cathedral for children and adults
Made of canvas and trimmed with red wagons.
A sunburst of wheel,
pink lemonade and cotton candy.
A temple housing the unity of man and beast...
All performing for the good of their fellow man
With shouts of glory.
The perfomers' only
reward is the echo of the applause
And laughter of children.
It cradles them to sleep.
As the red wagons roll from city to city.
The clown hides his
sorrows behind a mask --
Sometimes grotesque, sometimes sad,
but always with a whimsy that is an encouragement
That makes any deformity of life seem minute.
A lesson in humanity,
where man and beast risk life
and limb for the meager reward of applause.
How sad it would be if my youth would pass away
And not see the beauty of the big red wagons,
And taste the rare vintage of pink lemonade!
Or become so blasé'
that I couldn't offer a silent prayer
For the man on the flying trapeze,
Or sigh as I watch him swing to and fro.
I see my own life in
motion like the pendulum
On the huge clock that ticks away life.
Oh, keep me young without prejudices.
Without haste, so that I will be young.
So that my heart will be filled with glee
Next year, when the big red wagons roll in again!
To me, a great clown
said that -- my Dad.
A Clown’s Prayer
Anonymous
As I stumble through
this life,
help me to create more laughter than tears,
dispense more cheer than gloom,
spread more cheer than despair.
Never let me become so
indifferent,
that I will fail to see the wonders in the eyes of a child,
or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged.
Never let me forget
that my total effort is to cheer people,
make them happy, and forget momentarily,
all the unpleasantness in their lives.
And in my final moment,
may I hear You whisper:
"When you made My people smile,
you made Me smile."
Be A
Clown
Cole Porter
From Heart of
America Council’s Pow Wow Book
Act the fool, play the calf, and
you'll always have the last laugh.
Wear the cap and the bells and you'll rate all the great swells.
If you become a doctor, folks'll face you with dread.
If you become a dentist, they'll be glad when you're dead.
You get a bigger hand if you can stand on your head.
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown.
Be a clown, be a clown, all the world loves a clown.
Be a crazy buffoon and the 'demoiselles 'll all swoon.
Dress in huge baggy pants and you'll ride the road to romance.
A butcher or a baker, ladies never embrace.
A barber for a beau would be a social disgrace.
They'll come to call if you can fall on your face.
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown.
Be a clown, be a clown, all the world loves a clown.
Be the poor silly ass and you'll always travel first class.
Give 'em quips, give 'em fun and they'll pay to say you're A-one.
If you become a farmer, you've the weather to buck.
If become a gambler you'll be struck with your luck.
But jack you'll never lack if you can quack like a duck.
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown.
