Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: The Singing Bowyer on January 18, 2007, 01:44:00 PM
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IN MEMORY of a great man... JAY MASSEY
...Father, Bowyer, Guide, Author, Friend, Brother, Son, Husband, HERO....
March 15th, 1941-Jan. 18th, 1997
The Pathfinder
He stepped out from his tipi
Like a man from another time
Said there’s moose steaks on the fire boys
And gin martini’s to unwind
And though I never met the man
He seemed like an old friend
We talked of a thousand campfires
And the places that we been
He told me secrets of the river
And that wild, Alaska land
But I took peace in knowing
That I was in his guiding hand
Slip silently Pathfinder, slip silently along
Teaching by example, a code of ethics oh so strong
Slip silently Pathfinder, and I will follow close behind
Learning skills men have lost, somewhere along the line
To float the mighty Moose John is a
Grand and wondrous thing
To be ten feet from a big bull
With a simple stick and string
To find grizzly tracks in the sand
And caribou on a distant hill
And the times when we made camp
We shared much more than meals
And it was there along the rocky shore
That I felt that primitive spell
And the wry grin on Jay’s face
Told me he done his job well
Slip silently pathfinder, slip silently along
Listening to the river, cry out her joyful song
Slip silently Pathfinder, and I will follow close behind
And I too chose to walk, like men of a simpler time
I made you a vow that we would hunt together again
But some trips are cut short
So it seems my friend
And though you can’t be with me
You still help to guide my way
Your writings and your teachings
Have shown me the path to take
I know you must go alone
On the journey you make now
But I will save a place at my campfire
Until I can keep my vow
Slip silently Pathfinder, slip silently along
Down the river Jordan while the angels sing your song
Slip silently Pathfinder; let the waters take you down
To join the other elders, at the happy hunting grounds.
Words by Chad Slagle and Gary Olsen
Music by Chad Slagle
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Very nice Chad. Jay is one of my heros and because of him, I am now a primitive bowyer. We all owe him quite a bit...for the ethics, knowledge and willingness to share it all with us. Pat
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It was not a surprise to see this chad.
I knew you would have to share it sooner or later.
Hacksaw
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Chad, you did 'real good'. Thanks for sharing...Shick
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Today was the day he went on to the "Happy Hunting Grounds" back in 97. Take a minute today to say a little prayer, or remember Jay in your own way....
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It's funny, I was just writing a letter to someone close to him, and spoke about him being missed...I had forgotten this was the time of year he left us.
Nice words.