{"id":2140,"date":"2020-04-15T19:12:23","date_gmt":"2020-04-15T19:12:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/?page_id=2140"},"modified":"2020-10-23T14:17:02","modified_gmt":"2020-10-23T14:17:02","slug":"its-not-the-miles-we-travel-but-the-pace-that-kills","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/index.php\/its-not-the-miles-we-travel-but-the-pace-that-kills\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s not the miles we travel but the pace that kills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
AKA<\/strong><\/td>It’s not the miles we travel<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Lyrics<\/strong><\/td>Harry Clifton<\/td>Music<\/strong><\/td>J Holbrook Jnr <\/td>Roud<\/strong><\/td>RNV7518<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Music Hall performers<\/strong><\/td>Harry Clifton 1860s<\/td><\/tr>
Folk performances<\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
As we jog along the 'Road\n   Of Life' we pass a load,\nOf discontented mortals who have gone too fast;\n   Forfeiting their health,\n   In the modern race for wealth\nUntil completely beaten they break down at last,\n   But others slow and sure,\n   The journey can endure,\nAlthough the road is rugged with its dales and hills,\n   They ought to bear in mind,\n   In life they'll always find,\nIt's not the miles we travel, but the pace that kills.\n\nRemember what I say,\nIf you wish to pay your way,\nAnd no be troubled day and night with duns and bills,\nDon't travel on too fast,\nOr you may break down at last,\nFor it's not the miles we travel, but the pace that kills.<\/em>\n    \n   I'll tell you in my song,\n   How it is I get along,\nSo easily, and merrily, on life's highway,\n   For riches I ne'er fret,\n   And I don't run into debt,\nSo I never find it dificult my bills to pay;\n   I never rail at fate,\n   I envy not the great,\nEmployment keeps me healthy, and good temper keeps me gay.\n   I know that labour's sweet,\n   So I earn before I eat,\nAnd that's the way to travel boys, on life's highway.\n\n\n   If fortune won't be kind,\n   At first why never mind,\nKeep boldly trudging on but not too fast,\n   Take both good and bad,\n   As it comes, and don't be sad,\nIf you only persevere you'll reach the goal at last;\n   And if your fare is coarse,\n   Think it might have been much worse,\nSo travel on contented and don't despise,\n   The man that's slow and steady,\n   Always watching, always ready,\nIs the man to win the 'Race for Wealth' and gain the prize.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Another of Clifton’s<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n