Classic Poem

I T'S easy to fight when everything's right,
And you're mad with the thrill and the glory;
It's easy to cheer when victory's near,
And wallow in fields that are gory.
It's a different song when everything's wrong,
When you're feeling infernally mortal;
When it's ten against one, and hope there is none,
Buck up, little soldier, and chortle:

— — Carry on! Carry on!
— There isn't much punch in your blow.
You're glaring and staring and hitting out blind;
You're muddy and bloody, but never you mind.
— — Carry on! Carry on!
— You haven't the ghost of a show.
It's looking like death, but while you've a breath,
— — Carry on, my son! Carry on!

And so in the strife of the battle of life
It's easy to fight when you're winning;
It's easy to slave, and starve and be brave,
When the dawn of success is beginning.
But the man who can meet despair and defeat
With a cheer, there's the man of God's choosing;
The man who can fight to Heaven's own height
Is the man who can fight when he's losing.

— — Carry on! Carry on!
— Things never were looming so black.
But show that you haven't a cowardly streak,
And though you're unlucky you never are weak.
— — Carry on! Carry on!
— Brace up for another attack.
It's looking like hell, but — you never can tell:
— — Carry on, old man! Carry on!

There are some who drift out in the deserts of doubt,
And some who in brutishness wallow;
There are others, I know, who in piety go
Because of a Heaven to follow.
But to labor with zest, and to give of your best,
For the sweetness and joy of the giving;
To help folks along with a hand and a song;
Why, there's the real sunshine of living.

— — Carry on! Carry on!
— Fight the good fight and true;
Believe in your mission, greet life with a cheer;
There's big work to do, and that's why you are here.
— — Carry on! Carry on!
— Let the world be the better for you;
And at last when you die, let this be your cry:
— — Carry on, my soul! Carry on!