Take Me to the River
February 21st 2008 04:16 pm
We were sitting on a large flat rock, watching the kayakers in the Olympic Team Trials Qualifier on Sunday, February 17. Suddenly, we were surrounded by men and women in dress clothes. Next, a man in shorts and t-shirt jumped in the water and turned to the group. Finally, two people, dressed in white robes, jumped in.
A woman was squatting next to where I was sitting, so I asked her what was happening. She said, “You are going to witness an old-fashioned baptism.” Sure enough, first the man and then the woman were dunked in the cold waters of the San Marcos River. Then, they jumped out and dried off, made a short, moving speech and left.
It was pretty amazing. All the family came by and apologized to us for taking over the rock on which we were sitting. We had big smiles on our faces and we kept saying, “No. Thanks! We enjoyed it.”You never know what might happen when you visit the San Marcos River. I did not know some people choose to be baptized in the San Marcos River. I may have to start checking the river on Sundays to see what I am missing.
Take me to the River
I haven’t seen the worst of it yet
I wanna know, can you tell me
I’d really like to stay
Take me to the river
Drop me in the water
Take me to the river
Dip me in the water
Wash me down, wash me down
Wash me down, wash me down
I don’t know why you treat me so bad
Think of all the things that we could have had
Love is an ocean And I can’t forget my sweet sixteen
I’ll never fret
I wanna know, can you tell me
I’d really like to stay
Take me to the river
Drop me in the water
Take me to the river
Dip me in the water
Love me, squeeze me
Love me, tease me
Till I can’t, till I can’t
Till I can’t, till I can’t
I don’t know why I love you like I do
All the trouble you put me through
Sixteen candles blowin’ on the wall
And here I am the bigg’st fool of all
I wanna know, can you tell me
I’d really like to stay
Take me to the river
Drop me in the water - come on, come on, come on yea…
Dip me in the water
Drop me in the river - come on, come on…
Dip me in the water
Drop me in the river
Push me in the water…
Written by Al Green (sung by Talking Heads, Delbert McClinton, and many other artists).
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John responded on 21 Feb 2008 at 8:56 pm #
I had one of those baptisms before, kind of like a renewal. It was fun :)
Jackie responded on 22 Feb 2008 at 12:09 am #
Where better than out in nature having a baptism?
Glad you had such a wonderful day out.
Jackie’s last blog post..Oranges, the Taste of Sunshine
CyberCelt responded on 25 Feb 2008 at 1:11 am #
@John-I think this couple were renewing their baptism and vows before God. It was a moving experience.
@Jackie-kayaking trials and a baptism…LOL
Jerry responded on 23 May 2009 at 12:19 am #
Where exactly was this spot? I am a minister and have trouble finding places to baptize that are free and open to the public since we come as a church. The problem is that not everyone may be able to afford entrance fees but want to witness/attend the service. Any great information would be most helpful. Thanks!