College of the Atlantic, the school where I have worked off and on since 1971, gives one undergraduate degree, a B. A. in Human Ecology. This song was written to celebrate the annual swim between the college pier on Frenchman's Bay and Bar Island -- and to celebrate a readiness to jump into the adventure of life with all of its challenges for justice, peace, friendship, love, learning, spirit and all the rest of it.
An important note: Fear may take the form of the respect that leads us to attend with care or of the panic that robs us of the power of careful attention and intentional action. Respect for the might of the sea – be it ocean of salt or a sea of Life -- is wisdom. What the merry folk of COA scoff at is the mindrobbing fear that is a panic.
lyrics
CHORUS: And it’s shiver down me timbers and shiver down me bones,
and shiver me all over for the water is so cold!
and though it’s a hungry ocean, no matter come what may,
at College of the Atlantic, we have no fear of the sea!
VERSE: At College of the Atlantic, we have no fear of the sea,
at least once every year we dive into it merrily!
And some swim to Bar Island and some swim back again
and some swim in the glory of their very frozen friends!
CHORUS
At College of the Atlantic, we have no fear of the sea,
When it rushes in through a hole in the boat, we staunch it merrily.
With a foot to the floor and a back to the oar, we row with all our might
and it’s home to Bar Harbor and the hot food there tonight!
CHORUS
At College of the Atlantic we have no fear of the sea.
For the omens are always good and no matter come what may
And though the sky grow dark and though the wind blow cold
our eyes are always bright and our hearts are always bold!
CHORUS
At College of the Atlantic, we have no fear of the sea
even though the sea of life is evolving constantly.
If we freeze to death while young or destroy our fertile genes,
our College mates all share our hopes and will carry on our dreams.
CHORUS
At College of the Atlantic, we have no fear of the sea,
at least once every year we dive into it merrily!
And some swim to Bar Island and some swim back again
and some swim in the glory of their very frozen friends!
Gray is a singer/songwriter who plays bones and guitar. He is a parent, grandparent, Quaker and philosopher. He teaches at
College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine is a co-founder of the Quaker Institute for the Future, and works on issues of peace and human ecology. His blog, combining music and social commentary is at breathonthewater.com. ...more
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