OCT 28, 11 (1/2) .. CARRY ON .. ROBERT W. SERVICE

By Cap Chastain October 28, 2011 Robert W. Service

This one’s just for you DANNY  48073 ..

CARRY ON .. a poem by Robert William Service  .. January 11, 1874 to September 11, 1958 .. an immediate hero to me when I first read his poetry  in the autumn of 1952 while on ‘hall patrol’ on the second floor of  Royal Oak High School, Royal Oak, Michigan, an assignment from English Teacher Joyce Cowan .. little did I ever realize the effect her assignment would have upon my life.. I am in Alaska mainly because of his poetry .. from the day I read the Cremation of Sam McGee and the Shooting of Dan McGrew I wanted to be in the north ..

CARRY  ON ..

It’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 eternally 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 labour 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 !