Work boys work and be contented

AKA Put your shoulder to the wheel
First published 1866
Lyrics Harry Clifton Music Harry Clifton / Root Roud 23589

Music Hall performers Harry Clifton, Fred French, Harry Champion
Folk performances Collected from the singing of:
Desmond Price, Warwickshire, England 1967
Jack Mooney, Newfoundland, 1975		 

I'm not a wealthy man, but I've hit upon a plan
That will render me as happy as a King
And if you will allow me I'll tell it to you now
For time you know is always on the wing
Work boys work and be contented
As long as you've enough to buy a meal
The man you may rely, will be wealthy by and bye
If he'll only put his shoulder to the wheel.

So Work boys work and be contented
As long as you've enough to buy a meal
The man you may rely, will be wealthy by and bye
If he'll only put his shoulder to the wheel.

Will fretting make you fat? No, there's nothing gained by that
Assist yourselves and fortune will help you
Tears are only vain, if defeated try again
You'll find it all the better if you do.

Discontented people say, all work and little play
Will make a boy a blockhead as a rule
You can answer them and say
'Never work and always play'
Will make them both a blockhead and a fool.

You'll enjoy a quiet crust more by rubbing off the rust
It's a maxim that should never be forgot
Whilst labour leads to wealth
And will keep you in good health
So it's best to be contented with your lot.

Another of Harry Clifton’s motto songs, discussed on the Harry Clifton page. This one appears to have first been published in 1866 – the earliest mention I can find is a notice in The Era on 01 Jul 1866.

Clifton often published songs claiming to have composed the music, but borrowed the tune from elsewhere, in this case it was from GF Root’s American Civil War Song: Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys are Marching.

This song is confusingly sometimes referred to as Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel, a title which also is sometimes given to Clifton’s A Motto for Every Man . There’s also at least one 19th century hymn with the same title!

Work Boys Work was also sung by Clifton’s contemporary Fred French, who seems to have impressed the correspondent of the Illustrated Sporting News:

Gatti’s Music Hall, Illustrated Sporting News, 25 Aug 1866

The song was revived with new verses by Harry Champion in World War 1 , under the title Work Boys Work (see video below)

Here’s a Newfoundland version sung by Eugene Mooney, who learnt the song from his father John:

Here’s Harry Champions revived version:

Sources: