Edgar Albert Guest

Sunshine and shadow, blue sky and gray,
Laughter and tears as we tread on our way;
Hearts that are heavy, then hearts that are light,
Eyes that are misty and eyes that are bright;…

There's nothing cheers a fellow up just like a hearty greeting,
A handclasp and an honest smile that flash the joy of meeting;
And when at friendly doors you ring, somehow it seems to free you
From all life's doubts to hear them say: "Come in! We're glad to…

The joy of life is living it, or so it seems to me;
In finding shackles on your wrists, then struggling till you're free;
In seeing wrongs and righting them, in dreaming splendid dreams,
Then toiling till the vision is as real as moving streams.…

"The world is against me," he said with a sigh.
"Somebody stops every scheme that I try.
The world has me down and it's keeping me there;
I don't get a chance. Oh, the world is unfair!…

You can boast your round of pleasures, praise the sound of popping corks,
Where the orchestra is playing to the rattle of the forks;
And your after-opera dinner you may think superbly fine,
But that can't compare, I'm certain, to the joy that's always mine…

I saw him in the distance, as the train went speeding by,
A shivery little fellow standing in the sun to dry.
And a little pile of clothing very near him I could see:
He was owner of a gladness that had once belonged to me.…

I stood and watched him playing,
A little lad of three,
And back to me came straying
The years that used to be;

I’ve trod the links with many a man,
And played him club for club;
’Tis scarce a year since I began
And I am still a dub.…

Give me the house where the toys are strewn,
Where the dolls are asleep in the chairs,
Where the building blocks and the toy balloon
And the soldiers guard the stairs.…

Because it rains when we wish it wouldn't,
Because men do what they often shouldn't,
Because crops fail, and plans go wrong-Some of us grumble all day long.
But somehow, in spite of the care and doubt

Если встретитесь с проблемой —
Повернитесь к ней лицом,
Расправляйте смело плечи,
Приготовьтесь быть бойцом.…

My father knows the proper way
The nation should be run;
He tells us children every day
Just what should now be done.

The world is filled with bustle and with selfishness and greed,
It is filled with restless people that are dreaming of a deed.
You can read it in their faces; they are dreaming of the day
When they'll come to fame and fortune and put all their cares away.…

Home was never home before,
Till the baby came.
Love no golden jewels wore,
Till the baby came.…

Figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You've all that the greatest of men have had,
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes,
And a brain to use if you would be wise.

To serve my country day by day
At any humble post I may;
To honor and respect her flag,
To live the traits of which I brag;…

An auto is a helpful thing;
I love the way the motor hums,
I love each cushion and each spring,
The way it goes, the way it comes;…

Only a dad, with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame,
To show how well he has played the game,…

Who shall sit at the table, then, when the terms
of peace are made--
The wisest men of the troubled lands in their
silver and gold brocade?…

I might wish the world were better,
I might sit around and sigh
For a water that is wetter
And a bluer sort of sky.…

I don't see why Pa likes him so,
And seems so glad to have him come;
He jabs my ribs and wants to know
If here and there it's hurting some.…

Can't is the worst word that's written or spoken;
Doing more harm here than slander and lies;
On it is many a strong spirit broken,
And with it many a good purpose dies.

He was just a small church parson when the war broke out, and
Looked and dressed and acted like all parsons that we see.
He wore the cleric's broadcloth and he hooked his vest behind,
But he had a man's religion and he had a strong…

Mother for me made excuses
When I was a little lad;
Found some reason for my conduct
When it had been very bad.…