{"id":6689,"date":"2020-11-09T10:47:18","date_gmt":"2020-11-09T10:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/?page_id=6689"},"modified":"2020-11-09T15:06:48","modified_gmt":"2020-11-09T15:06:48","slug":"help-one-another-boys-never-push-a-man-when-hes-going-downhill","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/index.php\/help-one-another-boys-never-push-a-man-when-hes-going-downhill\/","title":{"rendered":"Help one another boys; never push a man when he\u2019s going downhill"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
AKA<\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
First Published<\/td>1869<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Writer\/composer<\/td>Harry Linn<\/td>Roud<\/strong><\/td>RN21544<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Music Hall Performers<\/strong><\/td>Harry Linn<\/td><\/tr>
Folk performances<\/strong><\/td>Source Singers<\/strong>
Clissold, Charlie 1977 England : Gloucestershire<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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In this sensation century\nGood songs are very few\nThe words are little cared for. \nIf the music it is new; \nAnd subjects too are nearly done, \nBut I have found one still, \nThat's \"Never push a man because \nHe's going down the hill.\" \n\nThen help one another, boys,\nIf fortune on you shine; \nRemember, when you give your mite, \nThat Poverty's is no crime \nThough little be the off'ring, boys, \nGive it with good will, \nAnd never push a man because \nHe's going down the hill. <\/em>\n\nIn this wide world there's many a man, \nWith a truly and honest heart. \nTo raise his wife and family \nIn business makes a start; \nBut still his ends don't seem to meet, \nWork which way he will. \nFate seems to be against him, \nAnd he's going down the hill.\n\nAs we jog along in daily life, \nHow many men we find, \nThat Poverty's a grievous sin, \nTo think they are inclined; \nThey meet, in sad adversity. \nSome old friend, Tom or Bill, \nAnd pass him by disdainfully, \nAnd push him down the hill.-\n\nIf e'er you meet an honest man \nStruggling hard with fate, \nDon't speak words of discouragement, \nOr tell him 'tis too late'\nDon't sneer as you pass by him, \nBut help him with a will. \nAnd p'rhaps one day you'll find him \nOn the summit of the hill<\/pre>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Another motto song written and composed by Harry Linn<\/a> which was extremely popular at the time. It appeared widely in song sheets and songsters, and was also widely sung by amateurs, particularly in the sort of respectable, improving evenings of readings and songs that might be run by the local vicar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can establish fairly easily that it was written by Linn – I haven’t been able to access the original sheet music, but there are a number of contemporary reports crediting the song to him, for example in 1869 a London newspaper  included in a list of sheet music received (we can ignore the typo!), :<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Examiner Apr 10 1869<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Local newspapers report a number of examples the song being sung by amateurs from Dec 1870 on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Given its popularity it’s perhaps surprising that it’s only been collected once, from the singing of Charlie Clissold, by Gwilym Davies in 1977.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n