Looking for earliest, dated example before 1990 of verse: "protect me,
my passengers and all who pass by, with a steady hand and a watchful
eye." |
Request for Question Clarification by
tutuzdad-ga
on
13 Jan 2006 13:38 PST
Here is a visor clip that is believed to be dated to the 1950's or
1960's with the prayer:
"Guardian Angel - Protect Me, My Passengers, And All Who I Pass With A
Steady Hand And A Watchful Eye."
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6242655966&category=13769
Assuming you do not find an earlier dated quote I'd be delighted to
post this earliest known example to date as the official answer.
Regards;
tutuzdad-ga
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Request for Question Clarification by
tutuzdad-ga
on
13 Jan 2006 13:55 PST
The KVOO Voice Library, which is part of the McFarlin Library,
Department of Special Collections of the University of Tulsa, has a
tape reel (Reel 164, cut 1) in which Police Patrolman William Fisher
recites the motorist's prayer. The reel is dated 1954.
Please let me know if this suffices as an answer in lieu of an earlier citation.
KVOO VOICE LIBRARY
http://www.lib.utulsa.edu/speccoll/kvoo0000.htm
tutuzdad-ga
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Request for Question Clarification by
tutuzdad-ga
on
13 Jan 2006 17:04 PST
At first glance the comment below seemed to hold promise but it turns
out that there?s no way to know for certain if the prayer mentioned in
his or her sources is the one you are looking for and it is certainly
not proof that the version you are referring to is vintage circa
1930's-40's. In fact, there are many such prayers. If a site does not
specify which version it is referring to there is no way to confirm
the information. Here are other versions of the prayer I found:
?Grant me, O Sacred Heart, a steady hand and watchful eye, that none
shall be hurt as I pass by. You gave life I pray no act of mine, take
away or mar that gift Divine. Protect those, dear Lord, who travel
with me, from highway dangers and all anxiety. Teach me to use my car
for others? needs, and never to miss through excessive speed the
beauty of the world. I pledge to drive with loving concern to my every
destination, offering each travel hour to You in a spirit of
Reparation.
Most Sacred Heart, my auto companion, have mercy on me.?
. . . . .
?God our Father, you led Abraham from his home and guarded him in all
his wanderings. You guided him safely to the destination you had
chosen for him. Be with us now as we travel. Be our safety every mile
of the way. Make us attentive, cautious and concerned about our fellow
travelers. Make our highways safe and keep us from all danger. Guide
us to our destination for today, and may it bring us one day closer to
our final destination with you. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.?
. . . . .
?O Lord, our God, deign to bless this car with Thy Right hand; bid thy
Holy Angels to stand by it, to save and protect from danger, all those
who travel in it and who are sheltered in Try Sacred Heart. Amen.?
. . . . .
However the first example I mentioned in my earlier comment is in fact
the exact version you quoted and it does appear (according to the
person who posted it) to date the 1950?s or 1960?s.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6242655966&category=13769
tutuzdad-ga
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Request for Question Clarification by
tutuzdad-ga
on
13 Jan 2006 17:40 PST
I suspect that this prayer might have been (or was based upon) part of
a verse that might have been recited by early 20th century railroad
engineers and brakemen, but I can't confirm it. Look at this painting
published in the 'Scientific American' dated November 1921.
Steady Hand and the Watchful Eye
http://www.catskillarchive.com/rrextra/caeng01.Html
tutuzdad-ga
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Request for Question Clarification by
tutuzdad-ga
on
24 Jan 2006 07:38 PST
It appears that no one has been able to provide any verifieable
sources older than the ones I pointed out. With that in mind, is the
information I have provided suitable as an answer?
tutuzdad-ga
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Clarification of Question by
dgannon-ga
on
24 Jan 2006 09:27 PST
Sorry.
The version of the verse that I need is very specific and has not been
identified. The version shown on the e-bay visor clip is of post 1990
vintage. I need an exact version which can be accurately dated to be
before 1990.
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Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
27 Jan 2006 16:37 PST
dgannon-ga,
Latest update:
There are two versions of the "Motorist's Prayer" that are copyrighted
-- one in 1958, and the other in 1983.
Unfortunately, neither version is viewable online, as far as I can
tell, and it would entail a trip to the copyright office to see the
actual content.
I'm afraid I can't quite justify that level of effort, but you might
want to consider contacting the copyright office yourself if you need
to see these badly enough.
I'm still looking, though, and I'll let you know if anything else turns up.
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