It’s not the miles we travel but the pace that kills

AKA	It’s not the miles we travel

Lyrics

Harry Clifton

Music

J Holbrook Jnr

Roud

RNV7518

As we jog along the 'Road
   Of Life' we pass a load,
Of discontented mortals who have gone too fast;
   Forfeiting their health,
   In the modern race for wealth
Until completely beaten they break down at last,
   But others slow and sure,
   The journey can endure,
Although the road is rugged with its dales and hills,
   They ought to bear in mind,
   In life they'll always find,
It's not the miles we travel, but the pace that kills.

Remember what I say,
If you wish to pay your way,
And no be troubled day and night with duns and bills,
Don't travel on too fast,
Or you may break down at last,
For it's not the miles we travel, but the pace that kills.
    
   I'll tell you in my song,
   How it is I get along,
So easily, and merrily, on life's highway,
   For riches I ne'er fret,
   And I don't run into debt,
So I never find it dificult my bills to pay;
   I never rail at fate,
   I envy not the great,
Employment keeps me healthy, and good temper keeps me gay.
   I know that labour's sweet,
   So I earn before I eat,
And that's the way to travel boys, on life's highway.


   If fortune won't be kind,
   At first why never mind,
Keep boldly trudging on but not too fast,
   Take both good and bad,
   As it comes, and don't be sad,
If you only persevere you'll reach the goal at last;
   And if your fare is coarse,
   Think it might have been much worse,
So travel on contented and don't despise,
   The man that's slow and steady,
   Always watching, always ready,
Is the man to win the 'Race for Wealth' and gain the prize.

Another of Clifton’s motto songs, first published in 1869, but this one is only rarely found in 19th-century broadsides and songbooks. I am not aware of it featuring in the repertoire of 20th or 21st century folk singers.

Sources:

• Lyrics: monologues.co.uk
• Entries in the Roud Indexes at the Vaughn Williams Memorial Library: https://archives.vwml.org/search/all:single[folksong-broadside-books]/0_50/all/score_desc/extended-roudNo_tr%3AV7518
• https://research.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_image_gallery.aspx?assetId=1306662001&objectId=3465340&partId=1

Last Updated on October 23, 2020 by John Baxter | Published: April 15, 2020