In the beginning of the Grim Grotto, the Baudelaires are floating on a collapsing toboggan along the Stricken Stream and have absolutely no idea where they’re going. They want to make it to the Hotel Denouement for the V.F.D. summit at the last safe place. As the eldest child, Violet has plenty of things on her mind. For one, like her siblings, she’s not exactly sure what to do next. Second, she’s thinking about how to slow down the toboggan, make it more manageable, or leave it alone. Third, she’s worried about Quigley who’s still in the water and is unsure where he’ll be next. Or whether he’ll drown or freeze to death. It’s fairly clear in the last book they at least kissed while climbing Mount Fraught.

The song I chose for her here is Billy Joel’s “Travelin’ Prayer” which opens his Piano Man album. In the original, the man is praying that his girlfriend’s all right and that she returns safe and sound. Strangely for a Billy Joel song, it’s in a bluegrass riff. In this version, I only changed a few of the lyrics but the overall meaning is the same, given that Quigley is all alone floating in a tributary as well as at a significant risk of freezing to death or drowning.

“Travelin’ Prayer” (ASOUE Version)

Sung by Violet Baudelaire

Hey Lord, take a look all around
And I’d a find where my Quigley’s gonna be
Hey Lord, would ya look out for him tonight
‘Cause he is far on down the stream
Hey Lord, would ya look out for him tonight
And make sure that he’s gonna be alright
And things are gonna be alright with me

Hey Lord, would ya look out for him tonight
And make sure that all his dreams are sweet
Said now, would ya guide him on the roads
And make them softer for his feet
Hey Lord, would ya look out for him tonight
And make sure that he’s gonna be alright
Until he’s back and here with me

Hey, Lord would ya look out for him tonight
If he is sleepin’ under the sky
Said now, make sure the ground he’s sleepin’ on
Is always warm and dry
Um, don’tcha give him too much rain
Try to keep him away from pain
Because my Quigley hates to cry

Hey Lord, would ya look out for him tonight
‘Cause it gets rough along the way
Said now, this song seems strange is just because
I don’t know how to pray
Um, won’tcha give him peace of mind
And if you ever find the time
Won’tcha tell him I miss him everyday

Hey Lord, take a look all around
And I’d a-find where my Quigley’s gonna be
Hey Lord, would ya look out for him tonight
‘Cause he is far on down the stream
Hey Lord, would ya look out for him tonight
And make sure that he’s gonna be alright
Until he’s back again with me
With me