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Its easy to fight when everythings right,
And you're mad with the thrill and the glory;
Its easy to cheer when victorys near,
And wallow in fields that are gory.
Its a different song when everythings wrong.
When you're feeling infernally mortal;
When its 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.
Its 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
Its easy to fight when you're winning;
Its 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, theres the man of Gods choosing;
The man who can fight to Heavens own height
Is the man who can fight when hes losing.
Carry on! Carry on!
Things never were looking 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.
Its 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, theres the real sunshine of living.
Carry on! Carry on!
Fight the good fight and true;
Believe in your mission, greet life with a cheer;
Theres big work to do, and thats why you are here.
Carry on! Carry on!
Let the world be better for you;
And at last when you die, let this be your cry:
Carry on, my soul! Carry on!
Rhymes of the Red Cross Man. Toronto: William Briggs, 1916; New York: Barse and Hopkins, 1916; London: Fisher Unwin, 1916.
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