Work

Down and up, and up and down,

Over and over and over;

Turn in the little seed, dry and brown,

Turn out the bright red clover.

Work and the sun your work shall share,

And the rain in its time shall fall;

For Nature, she worketh everywhere,

And the grace of God through all.

With hand on the spade and heart in the sky,

Dress the ground and till it;

Turn in the little seed, brown and dry,

Turn out the golden millet.

Work and your house shall be duly fed;

Work and rest shall be won;

I hold that a man had better be dead

Than alive, when his work is done!

Down and up, and up and down,

On the hilltop, low in the valley;

Turn in the little seed, dry and brown,

Turn out the rose and the lily.

Work with a plan, or without a plan,

And your ends, they shall be shaped true;

Work, and learn at first hand, like a man,

The best way to know is to do!

Down and up till life shall close,

Ceasing not your praises;

Turn in the wild white winter snows,

Turn out the sweet spring daisies.

Work and the sun your work shall share

And the rain in its time shall fall;

For Nature, she worketh everywhere,

And the grace of God through all.