Classic Poem

SOME PEOPLE say the world's all a stage
Where each plays a part in life;
While others proclaim that life is quite real,
Its joys, its battles, its strife.
Some say it's a joke, we should laugh it along,
Should smile at the knocks and stings;
Whatever is true just take this from me,
There's a gate at the end of things.

Don't try to kid yourself with the thought,
You can do as you please all the while;
Don't think you can kick the poor fellow who's down,
While you climb to the top of the pile.
Don't go back on your pal, just because he won't know,
Oh, in his eyes you may be a king;
Some day he will see you just as you are,
At the gate at the end of things.

Don't think you fool all the folks all the while,
You may do it sometimes, that is true;
They will find you out in the end every time,
The only one you fool is you.
If you see a man down, why, give him a hand,
And find how much pleasure it brings,
To know you are ready to meet all mankind,
At the gate at the end of things.

Don't let your head swell 'cause your bank roll is large
And your clothes are the latest style;
There is many a prince walking round in rags,
May have you beaten a mile.
Just try to remember as through life you go,
If you're square you're as good as a king,
And you won't have to crawl through a hole in the wall,
At the gate at the end of things.

If you've got a wife, as most fellows have,
Remember what she's been to you,
When prosperity smiles, treat her like a pal,
She's the one that has stuck to you;
Don't look for the girl from the Great White Way,
Who wears diamonds, fine clothes and those things;
Think how you'd feel to meet your little girl,
At the gate at the end of things.

Live like a man, it don't cost any more,
To act on the square and be right.
It's reward enough to know you're a man,
To hear people say, " He's white. "
You can look everybody straight in the eye,
And your voice has sincerity's ring;
Then you're ready to go and pass through with the bunch,
At the gate at the end of things.