{"id":2360,"date":"2020-04-21T16:58:43","date_gmt":"2020-04-21T16:58:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/?page_id=2360"},"modified":"2023-03-15T15:21:07","modified_gmt":"2023-03-15T15:21:07","slug":"a-motto-for-everyman","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/index.php\/a-motto-for-everyman\/","title":{"rendered":"Motto for everyman, A"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
AKA<\/strong><\/td>Put your shoulder to the wheel<\/td><\/tr>
First Published<\/td>1865<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Lyrics<\/strong><\/td>Harry Clifton<\/td>Music<\/strong><\/td> Charles Coote<\/td>Roud<\/strong><\/td>RN9079<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Music Hall performers<\/strong><\/td>Harry Clifton<\/td><\/tr>
Folk performances<\/strong><\/td>Source singers: <\/strong>
Turner, Edward, no date, USA : N. Dakota
Dornan, Angelo 1954 Canada : New Brunswick
Clift, William; 1860? England : Hampshire <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Some people you've met in your time no doubt\nWho never look happy or gay\nI'll tell you the way to get jolly and stout\nIf you'll listen a while to my lay\nI've come here to tell you a bit of my mind\nAnd please with the same if I can\nAdvice in my song you will certainly find\nAnd a motto for every man.\n\nSo we will sing and banish melancholy\nTrouble may come; we'll do the best we can\nTo drive care away, for grieving is a folly\nPut your shoulder to the wheel is a motto for every man.\n<\/em>\nWe cannot all fight in this 'battle of life'\nThe weak must go to the wall\nSo do to each other the thing that is right\nFor there's room in this world for us all\n'Credit refuse' if you've 'money to pay'\nYou'll find it the wiser plan\n'And a penny lay by for a rainy day'\nIs a motto for every man.\n\nA coward gives in at the first repulse\nA brave man struggles again\nWith a resolute eye and a bounding pulse\nTo battle his way amongst men\nFor he knows he has one chance in his time\nTo better himself if he can\n'So make your hay while the sun doth shine'\nThat's a motto for every man.\n\nEconomy study but don't be mean\nA penny may lose a pound\nThro' this world a conscience clean\nWill carry you safe and sound\nIt's all very well to be free I will own\nTo do a good turn when you can\nBut Charity always commences at home'\nThat's a motto for every man.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Another of Harry Clifton\u2019s<\/a> motto songs, found in a range of 19th-century broadsides and songbooks on both sides of the Atlantic. It’s been collected from the singing of several traditional singers, but I am not aware of it featuring in the repertoire of late 20th or 21st century folk singers,  though popular entertainer, Stanley Holloway recorded it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The earliest reference I can find suggests the song was first published by Hopwood and Crew in 1865 and there are subsequently numerous reports of the song being sung by amateurs in the British Isles and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Daily Telegraph, 15 Nov 1865<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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This song is confusingly sometimes referred to as Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel<\/em>, a title which is also sometimes used for a different Clifton song Work boys work and be contented<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As sung by Stanley Holloway:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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