I’M for the happy man every time,

And there are lines upon his faceWhich only passing years can trace.And yet he’s turned back many a pageLong written in the book of age,For since their boy has marched away,This kindly father, growing gray,Is doing for the mother trueThe many things the boy would do.Just as the son came home each nightWith youthful step…

His work’s not always pleasant, but he does it rain or shine,And he grabs a bit of glory when he’s fighting in the line;But the lesson that he teaches every day to me an’ youIs the way to do a duty that we do not like to do.Any sort o’ chap can whistle when his…

And open hoseAnd narrow shoes,Now trips alongThe sandy beach,While each man mutters:‘She’s a peach.’And now she meetsA handsome man,Who kindly stoopsTo get her fan;Thus is the romanceQuickly staged,Next day, of course,They are engaged.In two short weeksThey separate,Back to the dailyGrind they hate;He to his office,She the store,And thus their briefEngagement’s o’er.He quite forgetsThey ever met,But…

And let the glare of wisdom blind my eyesTo humble people and their humble needs.I would not care to climb so high that ICould never hear the children at their play,Could only see the people passing by,And never hear the cheering words they say.I would not know too much- too much to smileAt trivial errors…

When you’ve learned the fight he’s making and the troubles in his way,Then you find that he is different than you thought him yesterday.You find his faults are trivial and there’s not so much to blameIn the brother that you jeered at when you only knew his name.You are quick to see the blemish in…

And the fairy’s captain’s waiting while the busy sandman fliesWith the silver dust of slumber, closing every baby’s eyes.Oh, the night is rich with moonlight and the sea is calm with peace,And the angels fly to guard you and their watch shall never cease,And the fairies there await you; they have splendid dreams to spin;You…