A Selection of Original Songs, Scraps, Etc., by Ned Farmer (3rd ed.)/Put your Shoulder to the Wheel
Put your Shoulder to the Wheel.
[Set to Music by George Simpson, and published by Messrs. D’Almaine and Co., 20, Soho Square, London, to whom the Copyright belongs.]
They tell us times are very bad, they say there’s great distress,
But think ye that to talk about will ever make it less;
Oh, no! 'twere far the better plan, the wiser course a deal,
To leave off grumbling, and to put your shoulder to the wheel.
Few evils that this country knows but what would soon give place,
If men would only calmly meet and look them in the face;
Self brought about, as I contend, they are, there’s little doubt
That we who caus'd their growth possess the power to put them out.
Chorus.
Then up at once, and to the task, no longer idly sit
Waiting till greater folks begin, the least can help a bit,
Let high and low together go, what Englishman would pause,
Throughout the land to lend a hand and work in such & cause;
There’s not a wound in England found but what her sons can heal,
And all that’s wanted is to put your shoulder to the wheel.
Extravagance (nay do not frown), extravagance, I say,
Among us all too long hath held its deleterious sway,
Let each adopt this golden rule, which yet may pull us through,
If little be our comings in, to make that little do,
Like clever mariners at sea, who, on their voyage you'll find,
Take in their sails, or crowd each spar according to the wind;
This is the secret of success, the cure of all our woes,
And God forbid old England's sons should prove old England's foes.
Then up at once, and to the task, no longer idly sit, &c.